Vacancy Announcement - Budget Assistant, G5, FT, Abuja, Nigeria

Contract

This is a G-5 contract. This kind of contract is known as General Service and related categories. It is normally only for nationals. It usually requires 5 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be more than 1,516 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, innovation.

In Nigeria, UNICEF works in a complex humanitarian and development setting to fulfill and protect children's rights in partnership with government, civil society, children, and families. UNICEF Nigeria is one of the largest UNICEF Country Offices globally - click the link to learn more about UNICEF in Nigeria: https://www.unicef.org/nigeria/.

Organizational Context and Purpose for the job

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.

How can you make a difference?

The Finance Assistant will be responsible for providing a variety of specialized tasks in finance functions, ensuring accurate and timely delivery that is in compliance with UNICEF financial rules and regulations, whilst demonstrating the capacity to research, adapt, and evaluate irregular cases, and also to recommend improvements to process delivery and design.

Key responsibilities:

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

At the G-5 level, the below tasks are expected to be carried out with a high level of independence.

1. Financial Data Management and Payment processing

• Assist the Finance Section in reviewing the utilization report and liquidation documents related to Direct Cash Transfers, Reimbursements, and Direct payments, including OMNI.
• Address queries related to recorded pledges, funds received, and adjustments guaranteeing data accuracy and completeness for inclusion in the statement of accounts and budget adjustments.
• Identify discrepancies in unit records and provide support in resolving differences.
• Support the preparation, analysis, allocation, and monitoring of the NCO consolidated Operations budget for field offices and operations units in Abuja, including generating budget analysis reports, allocating funds, identifying appropriate funding sources for operations expenditures, and overseeing corrective actions for any inappropriate fund usage.
• Monitor the Support (IB) Budget preparation, allocations, and consumptions and prepare periodic budget reports and reconciliation of expenses.

2. Reporting and Bank relations

• Generate recurring reports based on established schedules and specialized reports required for budget preparation, audits, and other purposes.
• Participate in year-end account closure and contribute to the preparation of year-end reports encompassing accounts receivable, accounts payable, prepayments, deposits and NEP.
• Prepare regular reports and perform bank reconciliations to ensure accuracy and alignment of financial data.
• Establish and maintain effective liaisons with local bank officials to acquire day-to-day information on exchange and interest rates, procedural changes, and regulatory updates

3. Cash Forecasting

• Support the Finance Manager with efficient cash management and bank optimization by compiling comprehensive cash flow forecasts, analyzing cash requirements, and initiating timely cash replenishment based on competitive rates.
• Contribute to enhanced financial decision-making by preparing monthly Bank Optimization Reports.

4. Financial Records Maintenance

• Support to the Finance Section in maintaining appropriate VISION and EZHACT workflow and payment processes.
• Support the maintenance of financial records and monitoring systems for day-to-day transactions, expenditures, balances, payments, and statements.

5. Financial Advisory

• Provide advice and assistance to international staff, experts, and consultants on financial matters, including allowances, salary advances, and travel claims.
• Calculate and authorize payments for claims and services, maintaining accuracy and adherence to regulations.

6. Additional Responsibilities: Fulfill any other duties assigned by the management to contribute to the efficient financial operation of the organization.

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

Education:

Completion of secondary education is required with professional/university level courses in Accounting and Finance/Business administration considered as an asset.

Experience:

• A minimum of five (5) years of clerical experience in the area of finance and accounting is required.
• Understanding of principles and standards of accountability and sound application of financial rules and regulations

Language Requirements:

Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language or the local language of the duty station is considered an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA).

• The UNICEF competencies required for this post are...
• Builds and maintains partnerships (II)
• Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness (II)
• Drive to achieve results (II)
• Innovates and embraces change (II)
• Manages ambiguity and complexity (II)
• Thinks and acts strategically (II)
• Works collaboratively with others (II)
• Nurtures, Leads and Manages People (II)

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.

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:

UNICEF’s active commitment to 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.

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

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Appointments may 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.