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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. 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.

Strategic Operations is led by the Chief Strategic Operations, enabling the Programme Group to realize greater management excellence through UNICEF’s strategic operations approach. In line with the UNICEF organizational improvements initiatives that envisage strategic repositioning of the Operations function, the Strategic Operations team employs sound management practices to ensure the optimal use of Programme Group resources; enhanced Programme Team performance with strengthened risk management; innovative use of organizational systems and structures to centralize and optimize business processes; and strengthened the PG engagement in risk-informed partner relationships that bring value for money to the programme function.

The Strategic Operations team provides advisory and technical services on budget/finance, Operational services and, partnership management to 7 Programme Teams, and Polio & GenU teams.

For every child, an opportunity……

Join our team as a Programme Associate, where you'll play a crucial role in executing a wide range of routine and specialized tasks for our section. Your in-depth knowledge of UNICEF's administrative procedures will be vital as you handle budget monitoring, manage card payments, support project management, and facilitate effective communication and workflow. You'll be responsible for coordinating calendars, meetings, and correspondence, as well as organizing events and travel arrangements. Collaborating closely with finance and budget specialists, you'll ensure that PAR accounts are current, streamline grant and budget management processes, and support the creation of consultant LTAs and rosters. Additionally, you’ll process invoices and financial transactions in accordance with UNICEF's policies. If you're looking to make a meaningful impact and thrive in a dynamic environment, we encourage you to apply!

How can you make a difference?

• Provide support in accounts management, budget, financial and other administrative support to Programme teams.
• Follow up with teams on commitments, residual budget balances and outstanding balances.
• Reviews open items, analyses and follows up with staff, works closely with HR team and GSSC to resolve the open item.
• Analyse open items on staff PAR accounts, and outstanding accounts, work with Budget and Finance Specialist to identify actions required, liaise with travel unit in NY to close open TAs, communicate with staff members on actions required to close outstanding balances.
• Arrange and/or attend meetings on day-to-day financial and administrative matters, participate in discussions of new or revised procedures and practices, and implement and report to supervisor any recommendation.
• Follow up on delegated fund reservations created for various action offices, ensure amounts charged are correct.
• Assist in the processing of credit card-related transactions.
• Provide other budget, operations, finance related support, as necessary.
• Works closely with the Finance and Budget Specialist and other staff in operations to set up a Process for LTA and roster management.
• Work as a focal person in operations to submit cases through OASIS or service gateway.
• Where appropriate, assist entries in IBCS.
• Follows up and monitor closely incoming grants, notifies managers of allotted amounts and resolves issues as necessary.
• Works closely with the Budget and Finance Specialist to assign roles and perform zvisa entries, as per the Table of Authority of PG
• Performed other duties, as required

The following minimum requirements:

• Completion of secondary education is required, preferably supplemented by technical or university courses related to the work of the organization 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 additional two years.is required.

Work Experience

• A minimum of 6 years of professional experience is required in one or more of the following fields: program development and management, financial planning and management, internal controls, accounting, or a related area.
• General Service Staff are recruited locally. Candidates MUST be in possession of an existing visa/work permit or be a resident/citizen of Kenya and/or a commuting area to be considered eligible for this position

Desirables/Assets:

• Experience in the usage of MS Office software and advanced knowledge of spreadsheet and database solutions. Experience in handling of web-based management systems and ERP financial, preferably SAP is an asset. Experience of IPSAS and/or IFRS is an asset.
• Relevant experience in a UN system agency or organization is considered as an asset.

Language Requirements

• Fluency in English is required.  Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.

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…

• Builds and maintains partnerships
• Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness
• Drive to achieve results for impact
• Innovates and embraces change
• Manages ambiguity and complexity
• Thinks and acts strategically
• Works collaboratively with others 

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 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 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.

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.

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.