Apply: UNICEF Finance Officer

By Development Diaries
October 14, 2021

Deadline: 25 October, 2021

Location: Liberia

United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) is seeking to fill the role of Finance Officer.

Across 190 countries and territories, UNICEF works for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone. And we never give up.

Responsibilities

Make weekly forecast of cash needs for mobile money in readiness for release to the beneficiaries and always ensure that wallets have enough balance to respond to emergency needs
Ensure authenticity of the beneficiaries’ details on attendance sheet or invoice for companies after confirmation with the mobile money companies in accordance with the SOP in place
Prepare payment batches
Follow up on failed payments to investigate exceptions and rejected/returned payments and advise the programme units on the required follow-up action with the beneficiaries
Prepare the reconciliation with each batch of payment made and reconciliation of mobile money transactions for each month
Ensure proper filing of MoMo account reports and reconciliations after each transfer
Provide operational and technical assistance in the financial planning process for CPMP by preparing/analysing financial data/estimates and documentation verifying relevance, accuracy and completeness to support budget planning
Provide financial operations support throughout the financial planning and implementation process
Assess budget expenditures to verify compliance to allotment, codes, guidelines and procedures
Prepare regular analysis, modification and reports on the budget situation for higher management oversight and 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
Prepare financial exception reports, highlight 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
Where applicable, advise and support PSFR activities on budget preparation, strategic income projection/reporting, and set and monitor performance indicators, revenue and expense reporting, providing technical advice during strategic planning exercises
Process the submission of payments (e.g., MIP, travel claims, pension fund, advances to governments, etc.), journal entries and other financial transactions within scope on a timely basis to the Global Shared Services Centre (GSSC), ensuring compliance with budgetary limits, IPSAS and organisational regulations, rules, policies, procedures, standards of accountability, and ethics
Take timely action on outstanding accounts to resolve pending issues
Process (as per delegated authority) the disbursement of payments when done locally via bank letters, cheques, or petty cash
Process cash receipts and reconcile income contributions to ensure their timely deposit and recording in UNICEF systems
Monitor, assess and analyse financial transactions, accounting reports and reconciliation of accounts and prepare accurate and current financial information for applicable compliance (e.g., IPSAS, donor reporting, internal policies) and management oversight, planning and/or action
Contribute to mandated management/statutory office financial and accounting reports to UNICEF board/bodies/donors, verifying the reliability of data and compliance with organisational guidelines
Collaborate with oversight bodies to provide answers to requests and engage with the appropriate colleagues to resolve financial observations and recommendations raised in a sustainable and efficient manner
Complete applicable accounts closure activities (monthly, quarterly and yearly) on a timely basis and per closure instructions
Review 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
Support the control, operations and management of bank, petty and cash on hand accounts in accordance with UNICEF/UN financial regulations and rules and local banking practices
Keep abreast of procedures and regulations regarding maintenance of bank accounts and exchange and interest rates
Keep supervisor and relevant colleagues informed for timely action
Maintain contact with local bank management on routine operational matters
Maintain a system to monitor and forecast periodic cash requirements
Provide current information on cash position/forecast to management and make recommendations to ensure sufficient availability of resources for programmes and operations activities
Submit monthly bank statements to the GSSC for reconciliation and take necessary corrective action on findings identified by the centre
Promote culture of highest ethical standards and behaviour in management of UNICEF’s resources
Support initiatives for management improvement by capturing, institutionalising and sharing best practices and lessons learnt
Recommend improvements in processes and procedures to enhance productivity and performance including implementation of cost-saving strategies
Participate and/or organise training and learning events to build capacity of staff and stakeholders/partners
Support operations of the office as required

Requirements

University degree in Accounting, Financial Management or a related financial field
Supplemental formal financial/accounting training may be accepted if a university degree is not in a related financial field
Diploma qualification in CIPFA is acceptable in lieu of a relevant university degree or equivalent
One year, minimum, of professional experience in financial management or audit
Experience in an international organisation and/or large corporation is an asset
Experience in database packages, web-based management systems and ERP systems (preferably SAP financial modules) is an asset
Experience with IPSAS and/or IFRS is an asset
Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office, especially Excel
Fluency in English
Knowledge of another official UN language or a local language is an asset
Nationality of Liberia