Budget Specialist (Decision Support), P-3, Strategic Resource Management, DFAM, New York Headquarters, #15831

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.

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

For every child, [Innovation]

Under the general guidance and supervision of the Chief, DSU, the incumbent is primarily responsible for the management of Regular Resource Budget allocations and Discretionary funds such as 7% Set Aside, EPF, Thematic, etc. The incumbent will advise the Chief on improvements or innovative processes which will lead to increased efficiencies for the organization. The incumbent will coordinate and support all related activities, projects, and system alignments in area of his/her responsibility. The incumbent will also provide guidance on budget and funds management processes to country and regional offices and help to resolve reported issues.

How can you make a difference? 

Under the supervision of the Chief, Resource Analysis and Decision Support:

1. Manages, coordinates & monitors budget issuance

-Creates and issues budget allotments.

-Posts budget adjustments to record additional contribution, increase/decrease due to revaluation, write-off, refund, rephase, etc.

-Ensures the information on Country Program Documents (CPD’s) approved by the Executive Board is correctly recorded.

2. Maintains Master Data

-Acts as primary liaison between teams, divisions, and offices on the maintenance of programme structures and programmatic coding.

-Creates/maintains Work Breakdown Structure in VISION globally.

-Backs up creation of other master data such as cost centers, fund centers, commitment items, and other associated structures.

3. Participates and leads in the development of budget and planning systems

-Contributes towards preparation of business requirements and solution design for the new planning and budgeting systems.

-Evaluates and recommends improvements in the existing business processes and systems.

-Tests and provides constructive feedback during the development phase and also during regular enhancements.

-Provides support to country, regional and headquarter divisions.

4. Supports the line manager with regards to reporting and financial analysis

-Provides analysis and inputs for the preparation of Executive Board documents.

-Provides regular and ad-hoc reports and analysis for audit, presentations and decision-making processes.

-Provides analysis and regular reporting related to cost distribution mechanisms and trends.

5. Participates in the Year End closing processes

-Actively works with other members of the DSU team on the year end carry forward of budget and commitments exercise.

-Works with the team on the preparation of the B2A (Budget to Actual Statement) and all associated supporting documents.

-Assists Donor Reporting Unit in grants analysis for Financial and Technical grants closure.

6. Any other duties and tasks assigned by the supervisor including preparation of analyses, studies and other ad-hoc reporting requirements.

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

Minimum requirements:

Education: An advanced university degree (Master’s) in Accounting, Finance or Business Administration is required. Or alternatively, a university degree (Bachelor’s) with a minimum of seven (7) years of work experience in Finance, and/or Budget.

Work Experience:

• A minimum of five (5) years of demonstrated experience in Financial or Management Accounting, or a closely related discipline, at both national and international levels is required.
• Proficient knowledge and practical expertise in the SAP Public Sector Management module, specifically in Funds and Grants Management, is mandatory.
• Familiarity with the UNICEF Grantee Module, including its implementation and processes throughout the Grants lifecycle, is required.
• Extensive understanding of the SAP Project System module.
• Insight into the UNICEF Country Programme planning process and budgeting, alongside experience in managing UNICEF discretionary funds, will be considered an asset.
• Previous professional experience within an international organization or a United Nations Agency is strongly preferred.
• The candidate must demonstrate strong analytical and technical capabilities, alongside exceptional financial acumen. Proficient interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills are essential for effective collaboration and stakeholder engagement.

Language Requirements: Fluency in English (verbal and written) is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) is considered an asset.

Desirables:

• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency.

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…

(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

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. 

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.

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

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.