Senior Programme Associate G-7, Tijuana, Baja California, México, Fixed Term

Contract

This is a G-7 contract. This kind of contract is known as General Service and related categories. It is normally only for nationals. It usually requires 7 years of experience, depending on education. More about G-7 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,

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programs, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favoritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life — in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions — her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfill their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations.

The UNICEF Field Office in Tijuana caters to the States of Baja California and Sonora in the areas of child protection (specifically, migration), education, water and sanitation, adolescent development and social and behavioural change communication (C4D). The UNICEF team in Tijuana is consistently on the front line in terms of the CO’s response to the humanitarian needs of children and families on the move. Its proximity to the US border makes it a strategic site in terms of advocacy, partnerships and resource mobilization in migration-related issues.

The Senior Programme Associate (GS-7) will support the Chief of Field Office and various programme teams, in coordination with the Operations team in the Country Office, in all administrative, financial, logistical and supply issues required for programme implementation in the States of Baja California and Sonora.

How can you make a difference?

The Senior Programme Associate (GS-7) will manage all financial and administrative transactios of the Tijuana FO, particularly in the areas of:

1. Administrative management
2. Financial management
3. Logistical support (warehousing and inventory)

The Senior Programme Associate (GS-7) will be required to travel regularly between Tijuana, Mexicali (Baja California) and other border points in the State of Sonora.

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

1. Support to financial planning, management and budget management

• Advise and assist on all aspects related to preparation of reports, compilation of data and answering queries on pledges recorded, funds received, adjustments made to ensure financial compliance, accuracy and completeness of data for its inclusion into statement of accounts and adjustment of budgets. Advise Programme Sections of discrepancies and assist to resolve differences in their records.
• Maintains financial records and monitoring systems to record and reconcile expenditures, balances, payments, statements and other data for day-to-day transactions and reports.
• Selects and enters data from a wide variety of documents, verifying and ensuring accuracy by checking sources, making necessary calculations and assuring inclusion of all relevant data.
• Prepares recurring reports as schedules and special reports, as required for budget preparation, audits or other reasons.
• Prepares detailed cost estimates, and participates in budget analysis and projects, as required.
• Review budget implementation according to allotment, codes and certify compliance with guidelines and procedures. Keep stakeholders informed for timely action.
• 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.

2. Cash management

• Manage bank, petty and 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 recommendation or take action to ensure sufficient availability of resources for programmes and operations activities.

3. Administrative support and property management

• Ensures timely and effective delivery and improvement in administrative support and office services for enhanced quality, efficiency and cost effectiveness, including space management, transport services, vehicle use and maintenance, equipment, conference and travel arrangements, document reproduction, communications, mail and delivery services, local procurement and bill payments of utilities.
• Ensures the timely and cost-effective provision of basic offices services including space management, equipment, communications and security to enhance staff safety and productivity.

4. Contract arrangement and control

• Ensures that all administrative transactions and arrangements of contracts are following the applicable policies, procedures, rules and regulations.
• Reviews all contractual arrangements related to administrative support (i.e. courier, premises maintenance, ancillary administrative support, vehicle maintenance, equipment maintenance etc.) to ensure that the terms and conditions of all contracts are being adhered to by providers of services. Proposes to supervisor any changes that may be required.
• Monitors payments against contractual obligations.

5. **Supervision of warehousing and inventory management**

• Maintain appropriate warehousing and inventory management processes in support of the country programme implementation. Ensure accurate and complete accounting, reporting and internal control systems are in place, and relevant records are properly maintained.
• Assess availability of space and prepare stacking and storage plans to ensure appropriate storage and optimize use of space.
• Supervise receipt of consignments and dispatch of supplies.
• Carry out regular physical counts of inventory in the warehouse. Prepare documentation for commodity disposal through Property Survey Board committee.
• Assess the availability of space and prepare stacking/storage plans prior to UNICEF programming/contingency commodities arrivals.
• Provide quality assurance of supply plan and supply distribution lists involving the Tijuana Field Office and in close collaboration with CO Supply and programme sections at the CO level.

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

• Education: Completion of secondary education is required, preferably supplemented by technical or university courses in Finance, Business Administration, Management, Economics, Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Procurement, Contract/Commercial Law, International Development, Health or related social science field will be an asset.
• Experience:
• At least seven years of progressively responsible experience in office management, finance, accounting, and administration is required.
• Experience in financial and administrative management is required.
• Work experience in emergency duty station is an asset.
• Work experience in a field office setting is an asset.
• Familiarity with HACT is an advantage.
• Language Requirements: Fluency in Spanish and English is required

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are...

Core competencies

• 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)

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

Click here to learn more about UNICEF’s values and competencies.

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.
• Non-Mexican candidates must be in possession of an existing Mexican FM3 visa or be a Mexican permanent resident/citizen.