Accounting & Finance Associate, GS-6 (TA), Ankara, Türkiye, TA #131876 (until 31 December 2025)

UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built: we offer our staff diverse opportunities for personal and professional development that will help them develop a fulfilling career while delivering on a rewarding mission. We pride ourselves on a culture that helps staff thrive, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

You can watch our video to learn more about UNICEF Türkiye Country Office and a glance of our work life.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, inclusion

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? 

Under the guidance and supervision of the Administrative and Finance Officer, the Accounting and Finance Associate will provide support to the Administrative and Finance Officer related to a variety of specialized tasks in finance and accounting functions. The Accounting and Finance Associate will maintain financial records for projects or other office accounts for which responsibility is assigned.

The Accounting and Finance Associate, will be responsible from to contribute to the effectiveness and efficiency of the Administration and Finance, and the implementation of the Finance and Accounting work, by providing support and specialized assistance to all staff in the assigned areas of responsibility.

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

Minimum requirements:

1.     Maintains financial records for all office accounts, codes and records, receipt and payments in VISION, assures accuracy of computation and completeness of documents and supporting documents. Verifies that all calculations are correct and certifies payments. Prepares payment requests and vouchers. Maintains continuing status of allotments against obligations.

2.     Selects and enters data from a wide variety of documents, verifying accuracy by checking sources, making necessary calculations and assuring inclusion of all relevant data.

3.     Prepares recurring VISION and other reports as assigned, notices problems resulting from excess cost or less than expected receipts. Prepares special reports to clarify problems or as requested for other reasons.

4.     Calculates and compiles cost estimates and projected budget requirements and assists in preparation of budget statements for area of assignments.

5.     Initiates correspondence to verify data, answers queries and obtains additional information on accounts and financial transactions, as required.

6.     Maintains liaisons with officials of local banks to obtain day to day information on exchange and interest rates, changes in procedures and regulations, and matters pertaining to maintenance of office bank accounts. Prepare cash flow forecasts and monitor bank account balances accordingly.

7.     Monitors support and programme budget allotments, un-posted vouchers, external expenditures and obligations. Maintains finance files and ensures that all vouchers and supporting documents in perfect order.

8.     Carrying out spot check audits as required.

• Education: Completion of secondary education preferably supplemented by technical or university courses related to Finance and Accounting.
• Work Experience:

1. A minimum of 6 years of relevant administrative and/or financial experience is required. For this position, a bachelor’s degree from a recognized academic institution in a relevant field may replace three years of related work experience. A master’s degree may replace an additional two years.
2. Experience working in an international organization is considered an asset;

• Skills:  Advanced IT skills and experience in working with Excel, Word, PowerPoint and Resource Management system. Experience with SAP is considered as an asset.
• Language Requirements: Fluency in English and Turkish is required.

 

Desirables:

• Ability to work effectively in a multi-cultural environment, articulate clear and concise ideas in written and oral form.
• Strong ability to conduct analysis of data and information from various sources, and to present results effectively.
• Effective communication, excellent interpersonal and presentation skills
• Ability to work closely and effectively in a team to achieve work priorities and objectives.
• Demonstrates, applies and shares technical knowledge across the organization.
• Creates organization-wide processes to help ensure that all adhere to procedures and policies.
• Sets clearly defined objectives and plans activities for self.
• Sets high levels of quality and productivity for self.
• Enthusiasm as a team player, who is flexible, always ready to take on new challenges and drives for results in a dynamic environment
• Ability to plan, organize, prioritize, and deliver under pressure

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

Core Values

 

• Care
• Respect
• Integrity
• Trust
• Accountability

 

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)

 

Functional Competencies

 

• Analyzing (2)
• Applying technical expertise (2)
• Planning and organizing (2)
• Following Instructions and Procedures (2)

 

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

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 measures to include a more diverse workforce, such as paid parental leave, time off for breastfeeding purposes, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). 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 promoting the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will 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.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.

Remarks:

As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.

UNICEF’s active commitment to diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions 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. 

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.

UNICEF shall not facilitate the issuance of a visa and working authorization for candidates under consideration for positions at the national officer and general service category.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. 

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.