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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 for as long as we are needed. 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 professional and personal development that will help them reinforce a sense of purpose while serving children and communities across the world. We welcome everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

 

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

 

For every child, an advocate

UNICEF has been present in Uruguay since 1992. Since then, it has provided technical cooperation and financial assistance to the Government and to the society in different areas to promote the rights of children and adolescents and generate opportunities for all of them to achieve the full development of their abilities. UNICEF work is based on a cooperation program that is agreed with the government every five years. The current cooperation programme is under execution, with which the country will work until 2025.

 

Visit our local website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF Uruguay Country Office.

 

How can you make a difference?

1. Support to financial planning and management

• Assist in the financial planning process for CPMP by preparing/analyzing financial data/estimates and documentations verifying relevancy, 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.
• Assist in the preparation of financial exception reports, highlight unusual activities and transactions, investigate anomalies and keep supervisor informed for timely action.
• Assist in the review of financial and reputational risks in the transactions carried out by the office and raise flags when action is needed by management.
• Support PSFR activities on budget preparation, income projection/reporting, monitoring performance indicators, revenue and expense reporting, and provide technical support during planning exercises.

2. Control of accounts

• Process the submission of payments, journal entries and other financial transactions within scope on a timely basis to the Global Shared Services Center (GSSC), and ensuring compliance with budgetary limits, IPSAS and organizational regulations, rules, policies, procedures, standards of accountability, and ethics. Take timely action on outstanding accounts to resolve pending issues. This includes dialogue and follow up with the GSSC to facilitate timely processing of financial transactions submitted to the center.
• Process (as per delegated authority) the disbursement of payments when done locally via bank letters, checks, or petty cash.
• Process cash receipts and reconcile income contributions to ensure their timely deposit and recording in UNICEF systems.
• Support the monitoring, assessment and analysis of 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 organizational guidelines.
• Collaborate with oversight bodies (e.g. UNBOA, OIAI, Evaluation Office, JIU, donors, etc.) 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.

3. Treasury and cash management

• 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 interests rates. Keep supervisor and relevant colleagues informed for timely action.
• Maintain contact with local bank management on routine operational matters.
• Support the implementation and maintenance of a system to monitor and forecast periodic cash requirements. Provide current information on cash position/forecast to management 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 center.

4. Knowledge and capacity building

• Promote culture of highest ethical standards and behavior in management of UNICEF’s resources.
• Support initiatives for management improvement by capturing, institutionalizing and sharing best practices and lessons learned. Recommend and implement improvements in processes and procedures to enhance productivity and performance including implementation of cost saving strategies.
• Participate and/or collaborate in training and learning events to build capacity of staff and stakeholders/partners.
• Support operations of the office as required.

 

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here: URG2601 Senior Finance Associate GS-7 SJP (CLASSIFIED).pdf

 

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

Minimum requirements: 

Education: Completion of secondary education is required.

Professional/university level courses in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration or another related field is considered as an asset.

Work Experience: At least 7 years of relevant work experience in finance and accounting is required.

Skills: Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office, especially Excel, is required.  

Language Requirements: Fluency in Spanish and English is required.

 

Desirables: 

Experience in an international organization and/or large corporation.

Experience in database packages, web-based management systems and ERP systems (preferably SAP financial modules).

Experience with IPSAS and/or IFRS.

Relevant experience at country level, particularly in development, fragile settings and humanitarian contexts.

 

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 promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.

 

UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance.

 

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, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

 

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. 

 

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. 

 

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. 

 

Humanitarian action is a cross-cutting priority within UNICEF’s Strategic Plan. UNICEF is committed to stay and deliver in humanitarian contexts. Therefore, all staff, at all levels across all functional areas, can be called upon to be deployed to support humanitarian response, contributing to both strengthening resilience of communities and capacity of national authorities.

 

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. Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here. 

 

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.