UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do for as long as we are needed. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built. We offer our staff diverse opportunities for professional and personal development that will help them reinforce a sense of purpose while serving children and communities across the world. We welcome everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture., coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, the right to security.

UNICEF South Africa - committed to realising the rights of all children to help them build a strong foundation and have the best chance of fulfilling their potential.

We believe that ensuring a child is happy and healthy begins before birth: from ensuring their mother has access to good health care to reaching adulthood as a healthy, empowered and informed young person of the next generation. This journey relies on every child having access to quality health care, good nutrition, education, and growing up in a safe environment free from violence.

How can you make a difference?

UNICEF South Africa has approximately ZAR7.5 million VAT input submissions per financial year. As the Receiver of Revenue requirements are onerous, this requires dedicated expertise for ensuring the requirements are met for each submission.

The purpose of the assignment is to provide assistance to the Country Office to claim back input VAT from the South African Receiver of Revenues (SARS).

The Scope of the work includes the following:

Downloading documentation (invoices) from Vision
Reviewing Invoices for compliance with SARS regulations
Identifying the corresponding amounts on the Citi Bank Statement
Printing out the Invoices and the Statements (for delivery to SARS)
Completing the SARS template for submission online, via SARS e-filing

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

Minimum requirements:

Education: a qualification in Finance, Taxation, Administration or related
Work Experience: over 10 years in administration or related role
- a minimum of 5 years working for UNICEF or a UN agency in South Africa
- experience processing VAT input claims is an added advantage
Skills****: VISION (SAP), digitisation, eFiling
Language Requirements: English and another official local language

Please indicate your ability and availability; and attach a technical proposal and financial proposal in ZAR to undertake the terms of reference above (including admin cost if applicable).

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships

(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness

(3) Drive to achieve results for impact

(4) Innovates and embraces change

(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity

(6) Thinks and acts strategically

(7) Works collaboratively with others

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.

UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.

Remarks:

As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.

UNICEF is committed to fostering an inclusive, representative, and welcoming workforce. For this position, eligible and suitable candidates are encouraged to apply.

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.

Humanitarian action is a cross-cutting priority within UNICEF’s Strategic Plan. UNICEF is committed to stay and deliver in humanitarian contexts. Therefore, all staff, at all levels across all functional areas, can be called upon to be deployed to support humanitarian response, contributing to both strengthening resilience of communities and capacity of national authorities.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.

Apply now

Potential interview questions

Describe your experience with VAT processing and how it relates to your work at UNICEF or other relevant roles.	This question seeks to assess your direct experience with VAT processes, which is essential for this role.	Highlight specific experiences dealing with VAT claims, your understanding of the process, and any challenges you overcame.
How do you ensure compliance with financial regulations when handling documents?	The interviewer wants to understand your approach to compliance and accuracy in financial documentation.	Pro members can see the explanation.
Can you provide an example of a challenging situation you faced in administration and how you resolved it?	Pro members can see the explanation.	Pro members can see the explanation.
What strategies do you use to maintain accuracy and efficiency in document management?	Pro members can see the explanation.	Pro members can see the explanation.
Discuss your experience with VISION (SAP) and how it has benefited your previous work.	Pro members can see the explanation.	Pro members can see the explanation.
How do you adapt to changes in regulations and ensure your work remains compliant?	Pro members can see the explanation.	Pro members can see the explanation.
Describe a time when you had to collaborate with others to achieve a financial goal.	Pro members can see the explanation.	Pro members can see the explanation.
Why do you think UNICEF's core values are important for this role, and how do they resonate with your professional philosophy?	Pro members can see the explanation.	Pro members can see the explanation.