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UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

Goal Area 3 of the 2022-2025 UNICEF Strategic Plan is aimed at ensuring that every child, including adolescents, is protected from violence, exploitation, abuse, neglect and harmful practices. The UNICEF Headquarter Child Protection Programme Team supports this vision through the development of global partnerships, the establishment of public goods, and technical support to regional and country offices. It is guided by the Child Protection Strategy (2021-2030).

The Child Protection Programme Team is currently structured into six units: Child Protection in Humanitarian Action (CPHA), Prevention of Harmful Practices (PHP), Planning and Evidence Building (PEB), Child Protection Systems Strengthening (CPSS), ending Violence against Girls, Boys and Women (VAGBaW), and the anchored Migration and Displacement Hub (MDH).

As part of the HQ Efficiency Initiative (HQEI), key staff positions in Programme Group (PG) are to be posted in the Global Office in Nairobi, Kenya. The section is recruiting a Budget Associate to support the entire Child Protection section both Nairobi-based as well as NY-based teams.

For every child, an opportunity……

Join our team as a Programme Associate, where you'll play a crucial role in supporting the Prevention of Harmful Practices section under the guidance of our Senior Advisor. You'll engage in a variety of program support functions that contribute to the development, implementation, and monitoring of impactful country programs, ensuring that all efforts align with UNICEF’s standards. Collaborating closely with technical and managerial staff, as well as external partners, you’ll help shape program design and delivery. Your insights will be key as you monitor project milestones and recommend improvements to keep initiatives on target. This is a fantastic opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of children and communities!

How can you make a difference?

• Carrying out transactions in VISION ensuring programme results, activities and programme coding are as per annual work plans (AWPs) and making amendments and alterations as per section revisions when necessary.
• Carrying out transactions in VISION pertaining to grants and programme-related items for his/her section including but not limited to registering grant allotments and tracking expiring programme grants.
• Preparing monitoring and reporting information for supervisor and team on agreed performance indicators to drive more efficient management and accountability for results.
• Regularly monitoring budgets and financial expenditures of section by employing applicable tools, ensuring compliance with UNICEF rules and regulations, keeping supervisor informed and advised on actions for decision and/or follow up.
• Facilitating the development of programme cooperation agreements (PCAs) by providing information and drafting selected sections of it. 
• Facilitating the processing of contracts for consultants, vendors and external partners that support the office in programme delivery. This includes preparing and filing documents, completing necessary forms and templates, uploading TOR’s in VISION, and making necessary logistical arrangements. Keeps vendor lists, partners, and consultant rosters up-to-date.
• Helping conduct regular monitoring of partner’s projects to assess their financial record-keeping, expenditure controls and reporting systems.
• Supporting the programme section in researching, compiling and analyzing qualitative and quantitative data and information from a variety of sources on subject matters relevant to the work of the section to facilitate programme delivery as well as preparation of reports, working papers and presentations. 
• Helping prepare periodic or ad-hoc financial reports relating to country office and donors to support the office in optimizing use of programme funds.
• Supports capacity development activities related to programme development by preparing training materials and participating in exercises.
• Providing travel assistance to staff members in section for travel arrangements and entitlements based on the organization’s rules and policies. Liaising with relevant travel focal points to ensure that the organization obtains the best service and price for all travel.
• Manage the administration of the section including meetings, team coordination, team calendars, and other relevant administrative tasks.

Perform any other duties and responsibilities assigned 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 six years of progressively responsible finance or administrative work experience is required.
• 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 budget and financial planning, monitoring and management is highly desirable.
• 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…

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.