Re-advertised-Programme Officer -Budget and Grants Management (NO-2), Juba South Sudan (for South Sudanese Only)

Contract

This is a NO-2 contract. This kind of contract is known as National Professional Officers. It is normally only for nationals. It's a staff contract. More about NO-2 contracts.

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, Hope

Background/Rational for the Assignment

Sudan health outcomes are among the worst globally, with an exceptionally high maternal mortality rate (MMR) across the country, an estimated 789 women dying for every 100,000 live births. Neonatal, infant mortality and under five deaths rates are high, it is estimated that 38 out of 1,000 live births die in the first month of their life, with the main causes being low birth weight and premature birth, injuries sustained during birth, and infections. Ninety-one out of every 1,000 children die before the age of five from common childhood infections. Communicable diseases remain a major public health challenge. Malaria is endemic across the country and nearly half (44%) of all children who seek medical attention will have malaria # many more will be infected but have minor symptoms. Malaria, diarrhea, and pneumonia constitute about 77 percent of the total out-patient attendance for children under five. With regards to vaccine preventable diseases, vaccination coverage is still low with just over a third (39%) of children fully immunized against the main vaccine-preventable diseases. The health sector has been put under further strain by the Covid-19 outbreak, with significant disruptions in service delivery for end users.

Purpose/task & Expected Results

Support to financial planning and management

• Provide support to the financial planning process for preparing/analyzing financial data/estimates and documentations verifying relevancy, accuracy and completeness to support budget planning. Provide financial operations support throughout the financial planning and implementation process.
• Review budget expenditures according to allotment and codes and verify compliance with guidelines and procedures related to the Global fund Malaria and COVID-19 Grants for the Health Section. Keep stakeholders informed for timely action.
• Provide technical and operational support on the application, interpretation and implementation of operational policies, procedures and guidelines CO colleagues and stakeholders related to the Global fund Malaria and COVID-19 Grants for the Health Section. Resolve routine financial operational issues and/or recommend (and record) deviation from policies and guidelines to meet objectives.
• Provide technical support to the programme counterparts/committees, e.g. review budgets and financial plans of implementing partners; monitor compliance with HACT framework, including support to assessments, assurance and capacity development of implementing partners.
• Prepare and/or monitor financial exception reports to assess unusual activities and transactions, investigate anomalies, and keep supervisor informed for timely action.
• Review financial and reputational risks in the transactions carried out by the office and raise flags when action is needed by management.

Control of accounts

• Conduct quality check and ensures, (as per delegated authority) the accurate and timely processing submission of payments (e.g. travel claims, advances to governments etc), journal entries and other financial transactions within scope to the Global Shared Services Center (GSSC), ensuring compliance with budgetary limits, IPSAS and organizational regulations, rules, policies, procedures, standards of accountability, and ethics. Take timely action on outstanding accounts to resolve pending issues. This includes dialogue and follow up with the GSSC to facilitate timely processing of financial transactions submitted to the center.
• Monitor and analyze financial transactions, accounting reports and reconciliation of accounts to ensure accurate and current financial information for applicable compliance (e.g. IPSAS, donor reporting, internal policies) and management oversight, planning and/or action.
• Complete applicable accounts closure activities (monthly, quarterly and yearly) on a timely basis and per closure instructions.
• Examine DCT transactions (transfer, adjustments, reprogramming and liquidation) supporting documents to ensure FACE form has been properly entered into the system and the expenditure is broadly reasonable and in accordance with policy.
• Conduct quality check of financial transactions to ensure compliance with IPSAS, HACT, Admin/Finance policies and procedures.
• Provide guidance on policies and ensures adequate systems are placed for risk management including review/processing of invoices if any change/new Rules and Regulations.
• Provide information on required action from GSSC and timely responds to queries from GSSC. Ensures review of DCT payment/liquidation conformity with UNICEF procedures and budget approved using FACE.
• Monitor financial transactions and accounting reports, and reconciliation of accounts, to provide up-to-date information on the budgetary positions, Support Budget, RR and OR, of Health section. Prepares required financial reports and statements for the Chief of Section/Health Manager.

• Control the utilization of the operating expenses fund assigned to Health section, disbursements made against the fund, proper recording, and accounting of transactions. Advises Chief of Section of any forecasted funds deficiency or underutilization. Reviews budget expenditures by codes against approved allotments and verifies compliance with reports.

• Prepare and analyze financial data for budget estimates and financial planning

Treasury and cash management

• Coordinate with Finance related with cash on hand accounts transactions and operations in accordance with UNICEF/UN financial regulations and rules, policies, procedures, and local banking practices. Keep supervisor and relevant colleagues informed for timely action.
• Maintain a system to monitor and forecast periodic cash requirements. Provide current information on cash position/forecast to management and make recommendations or take action to ensure sufficient availability of resources for programmes and operations activities

Knowledge and capacity building

• Promote a culture of highest ethical standards and behavior in management of UNICEF’s resources.
• Support initiatives for management improvement by capturing, institutionalizing and sharing best practices and lessons learned. Recommend improvements in processes and procedures to enhance productivity and performance including implementation of cost saving strategies.
• Participate and/or organize training and learning events to build capacity of staff and stakeholders/partners.
• Support operations of the office as required.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have

1. Education

A first level university degree in accounting, financial management or another related financial field is required. Supplemental formal financial / accounting training may be accepted if university degree is not in a related financial field. Diploma qualification in CIPFA is acceptable in lieu of relevant university degree, or its equivalent.

2. Work Experience

• A minimum of 2 years of professional experience in financial management or audit is required.
• Experience in an international organization and/or large corporation is preferred.
• Experience in a UN system agency or organization some of which served in a developing country is considered as an asset.
• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office, especially Excel required.
• Experience in database packages, web-based management systems and ERP systems (preferably SAP financial modules) is considered as an asset.
• Experience with IPSAS and/or IFRS is considered as an asset.

3. Language Proficiency

Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language and the local language (Arabic) is an asset.

4. Competency Profile

ii) i) Core Values

• Care

• Respect

• Integrity
• Trust
• Accountability

ii) Core Competencies (For Staff without Supervisory Responsibilities)

• Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (1)
• Works Collaboratively with others (1)
• Builds and Maintains Partnerships (1)
• Innovates and Embraces Change (1)
• Thinks and Acts Strategically (1)
• Drive to achieve impactful results (1)
• Manages ambiguity and complexity (1)

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organization.

https://www.unicef.org/southsudan/

To view our competency framework, please visit 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.

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:

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