Quality Assurance Manager, P4, FT, Kenya Country Office, Nairobi #68478 (Non Kenyans Only)

Contract

This is a P-4 contract. This kind of contract is known as Professional and Director staff. It is normally internationally recruited only. It's a staff contract. It usually requires 7 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 135,454 USD and 174,640 USD.

Please keep in mind that the salary displayed here is an estimation by UN Talent based on the location and the type of contract. It may vary depending on the organization. The recruiter should be able to inform you about the exact salary range. In case the job description contains another salary information, please refer to this one.

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, a Champion!

The Kenya Country office handles an annual budget of approximately US$ 80 million of which 50% of inputs pertain to either cash transfer or supply components provided to our implementing partners. One of the main functions of this unit is to provide technical guidance and support in enterprise risk management related to cash transfers and ensure that the KCO is compliant with the requirements of the HACT guidelines. Partnership management is one of the key strategies of UNICEF Kenya. The UNICEF KCO has currently more than 125 implementing partners. The Quality Assurance Unit under Operations provides critical support to achievement of objectives related to Enterprise Risk Management, HACT, Audit and VISION Hub management. The Quality Assurance Manager directs these functions with support from the staff of the unit.

How can you make a difference?

1. Enterprise Risk Management

• Organize office-wide consultations on risk management, provide technical guidance and support in the preparation of the annual risk profile in line with global and regional guidelines
• Provide technical advice and follow-up with Outcome Teams on developing risk management strategies and mitigation measures, evaluate the effectiveness and implementation of mitigating actions and report quarterly on progress to CMT and in accordance with global guidelines ensure that timely updates are made in the ERM component of Insight
• Identify key risks and issues emanating from audits, spot checks and all assurance activities and follow up on mitigation of identified risks
• Coordinate preparations, draft reports on and replies to internal/external audits and follow up on the recommendations for closure

2. Harmonized Approach to Cash Transfers (HACT)

• Based on information received from the outcome teams, and in coordination with senior managers within the office, supervises the development of a risk-informed HACT Assurance Plan for the office, reviews the plan, and communicates the plan with the full CMT to solicit review and approval and to ensure their understanding of the risks and mitigation measures
• Provide information on the scope of planned micro-assessments and audits to third-party audit firms, provide clarifications/additional information to the auditors
• Based on a thorough understanding of the country programme review, audit reports to identify follow up actions in collaboration with senior programme managers. Assess capacity development needs of implementing partners and develop a training plan for partners based on the outcomes of micro-assessments and audits, doing so in coordination with the Zonal Offices
• Direct implementation of capacity building activities for both staff and implementing partners. Monitor implementation of planned spot checks, reports to CMT on a regular basis and propose corrective actions when necessary
• Develop interventions and maintain tracking tools for monitoring actions stemming from audit reports, spot check reports and micro-assessments reports, ensures communication, advocacy and follow up with the responsible Programme Managers and share updates among senior management accordingly
• Participate and contribute to the work of the inter-agency HACT Working Group under the Operations Management Team (OMT)
• Provide technical guidance in the area of HACT and ensure cost savings and efficiency gains among the UNDG agencies

3. VISION Hub

• Manage the locally established transaction processing center (VISION Hub) and establish procedures to ensure completeness and soundness of transactions’ supporting documents in accordance with UNICEF rules and regulations prior to initiating the process in SAP/VISION system
• Develop and communicate key performance indicators on transaction workflow to ensure efficiencies are maintained and areas of concern or opportunities for additional efficiencies are communicated with individual managers and the CMT
• Manage the APPROVA functions for the office: monitor validity and initiate updates of Table of Authority and Role Mapping
• Monitor SoD violations and take required corrective actions
• Ensure that VISION role assignments are done timely and in line with the approved Table of Authority
• Conduct regular reconciliation to eliminate deviations from the rules
• Organize and conduct VISION/INSIGHT capacity building sessions for staff to support effective programme planning and monitoring

4. Quality Assurance/technical support in partnership management to Outcome Teams and Zone Offices

• Serve as a focal point for Outcome Teams and Zone Office staff in the area of HACT/Risk Management
• Manage the Partnership Module of e-tools, provide technical guidance on partnership management (PCA/SSFAs), with focus on value for money on PCAs and adherence to the CSO procedures
• Based on a thorough understanding of the legal framework and internal workflow requirements, advises management on risks and mitigation measures on partnerships.

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

• An advanced university degree in business administration, financial management or related field(s) is required
• Eight years of relevant professional experience in one or more of the following areas: audit, risk management, quality assurance, partnership management, or other relevant areas. Supervisory experience is a must
• Experience in a UN organization and/or UNICEF (asset)
• Fluency in English. Knowledge of other UN language (asset)

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability (CRITA) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: https://uni.cf/UNICEFValues

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 committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

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 also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. 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:

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

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 be 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.