Programme Budget Manager, P4, Fixed Term, Kabul, Afghanistan# 125939 (Only for Non-Afghan national)
Lead programme budget management for UNICEF in Afghanistan.
Overview
Lead programme budget management for UNICEF in Afghanistan.
You have:
- An advanced university degree (Masters or higher) in the social sciences, international relations, management, public administration or other appropriate field is required.
- A minimum of eight years of progressively responsible and professional work experience in the area of public partnerships, programme budgeting, grant and contribution management is required.
- Work experience in or familiarity with Afghanistan or the South Asia region would be an asset.
- Background/familiarity with emergency situations is considered as an asset.
- Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.
UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.
Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.
And we never give up.
For every child, advocacy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mbkJiMmvKqk
How can you make a difference?
Purpose of the job:
Under the guidance and supervision of the Chief of Resource Mobilization and Partnerships, the Programme Budget Manager (P4) will be responsible for strategic oversight and guidance to the ACO management and Programme Section Chiefs on all programme budget development and implementation issues, supporting the positioning of UNICEF as a trusted, cost effective agency of choice in Afghanistan delivering high quality programmes at scale, value for money, timely and effective contribution management and reporting.
This will be achieved through provision of analysis on funding gaps, overall program expenditure and key budget drivers; leading on budget planning, allocation and monitoring processes; providing technical support to delivery of winning cost proposals; providing support towards high quality contribution management, including effective and timely reporting of expenditure and financial transactions in line with the compliance requirements of donors; and ensuring capacity is in place to deliver an effective programme budget function.
Summary of key functions/accountabilities:
- Strategic guidance and oversight
Lead on the development and implementation of an overall programme budget strategy, in liaison with the resource mobilization team, programme and operations sections, to ensure that UNICEF Afghanistan maintains and maximizes competitiveness, captures opportunities, allocates and spends funds effectively and delivers a high impact and efficient programme through a sustainable and affordable cost base.
- Analysis
In collaboration with the RM team, support the resource mobilization efforts of programme teams through provision of funding gap analysis and information.
Provide regular analysis and recommendations to management on the overall programme and office cost base including expenditure patterns and cost drivers to ensure sustainability.
Provide clear analysis and recommendations to management on a regular basis on optimal office cross-sectoral cost recovery rates in donor proposals.
Provide market financial analysis to enable UNICEF to remain competitive, retain trust with donors and maintain high rates of opportunity capture.
- Budget Planning and monitoring
Ensure an effective programme budget planning process is in place to formulate and deliver an effective overall country programme budget in alignment with the overall UN country budgetary framework.
Lead on development and delivery of a process and provide guidance to ensure annual budgets are in place for programme sections.
Ensure budget review process in in place and delivered to allow for budget adjustments as necessary and reallocation of funds as required.
- Monitoring
Monitor financial implementation and compliance ensuring delivery in line with agreed KPIs and AMP objectives.
Monitor the allocation and disbursement of programme funds, making sure that funds are properly coordinated and monitored, with particular regard to donor conditionality and compliance.
- Resource Mobilization
Lead, review and provide high quality technical input to all donor financial proposals to maximize chances of success and position UNICEF competitively, with particular focus on high value donor opportunities.
Ensure processes and ongoing learnings on donor financial proposals, financial reports and value for money are in place to enhance ongoing competitiveness.
- Contribution management and compliance
Maintain an overview of the financial requirements and conditions of all grants and support programme teams with effective processes and technical guidance to ensure optimal allocations (and reallocations), full fund utilization, quality management and compliance.
Lead on the review and analysis of all programme donor financial reports, donor tranche payment requests, costed or no cost extension requests.
Ensure at least monthly reconciliation of all grants and provide analysis and related reviews.
- Programme budget technical capacity
Proactively support and advise programme sections and field offices and ensure adequate technical capacity is in place to deliver and manage all grants and overall grant expenditure in line with compliance requirements.
Review overall programme budget and financial capacity needs in Afghanistan country office and plan capacity building initiatives as required to ensure ongoing effective programme budget and contribution management.
- Payroll and salary planning
Ensure annual salary planning exercise and monthly administration and maintenance of payroll for national and international staff is delivered effectively.
- Programme Budget team management
Manage Programme Budget team. Establish work plans, monitor compliance with performance standards, and provide support and guidance to ensure that objectives are achieved.
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…
- An advanced university degree (Masters or higher) in the social sciences, international relations, management, public administration or other appropriate field is required.
- A minimum of eight years of progressively responsible and professional work experience in the area of public partnerships, programme budgeting, grant and contribution management is required.
- Work experience in or familiarity with Afghanistan or the South Asia region would be an asset.
- Background/familiarity with emergency is considered as an asset.
- Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.
For every Child, you demonstrate…
UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values
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 (8) Nurtures, leads and manages people
During the recruitment process, we test candidates following the competency framework. Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels: competency framework here.
UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic. We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.
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. 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.
Remarks:
UNICEF’s active commitment towards diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable female candidates are encouraged to apply.
Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.
UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by UNICEF, is required for IP positions. Appointments are also subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Government employees that are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government 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.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.
Eligible UNICEF International Professional (IP) Staff Members on fixed-term, continuing or permanent contracts applying to a Temporary Appointment, which is dedicated to L3 (or L2) Response, may be able to retain a lien and their fixed-term entitlements. The conditions of the temporary assignment will vary depending on the status of their post and their current tour of duty, and relocation entitlements may be limited as per the relevant policies.
Potential interview questions
| Can you describe a time when you successfully managed a complex budget? | The interviewer wants to assess your experience and skills in budget management under challenging situations. | Provide a specific example of a complex budget you managed, detailing your approach and the outcome. |
| How do you ensure compliance with donor requirements in financial proposals? | This question gauges your understanding and application of donor compliance standards in financial management. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| What strategies do you employ to analyze funding gaps effectively? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |