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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.

For every child, hope

The Regional Programme Planning team provides support to the Regional Office and Country Offices in relation to planning, monitoring and management systems, processes and coordination, for the effective delivery of defined results. It also oversees the programme budget planning and monitoring function, including as a core member of the Regional Office Budget Advisory Group. The  Budget Officer  reports to and works under the guidance and supervision of the  Regional Chief of Programme and Planning, in coordination with the Deputy Regional Director. The incumbent receives minimal supervision and is expected to discuss important issues and courses of action and guide the senior management when exceptional measures are necessary.

How can you make a difference? 

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

1. Budget Planning and Monitoring:

• Ensure that an effective programme budget planning process is in place to formulate and deliver on the Annual Works Plans in alignment with the overall UNICEF budgetary framework.
• Monitor and report effectively on pipeline funding and income projections and its management.  
• Develops alerts/KPIs to highlight funding gaps and their impact on both programme and staffing costs.  

2. Analysis:

• Provide regular analysis and recommendations to management on the overall LACRO utilization of funds, including expenditure patterns and cost drivers to ensure sustainability.
• Maintain an overview of the financial requirements and conditions of all grants and support programme teams with effective processes and technical guidance to ensure allocations (and reallocations), full fund utilization, quality management and compliance.
• Ensure on quarterly basis reconciliation of all grants and provide analysis and related reviews.
• Review budget tables in donor proposals and reports to ensure accuracy.
• Prepare reports to be shared with the Programme team, management and the Budget Advisory Group.

3. Capacity building:

• Develop capacity of staff in the RO and the region to ensure optimal budget planning, management, and monitoring.

The Budget Officer will:

1. Act as focal point for contribution management and monitoring in all matters relating to the multiple grants and contributions received by the RO, with a focus on programmes, including emergencies.
2. Establish solid systems and procedures to monitor and report on the use of funds, in cooperation with programmes and operations.
3. Guide Advisers and the Output Managers on any conditionalities and effective use of the resources, including ensuring that guidelines, policies, rules, regulations and procedures are fully understood and correctly applied.
4. Coordinate with the senior management, Output managers, and Advisers to ensure timely utilization of funds; closely monitor due dates for any financial reports and deadlines for utilization of all contributions.
5. Conduct strategic analysis to inform regional office management and ROMT decision-making, and carry out any special studies and analysis requested by management to programme and budget, including appropriate recommendations.  Participate in the review of programme reports and donor proposals/reports for management, budget reviews, programme analysis, the Regional Office Annual Report, and the RMT, amongst others.
6. Work in close collaboration with the Partnerhips and PFP on donor analysis, funding trends etc.
7. Work in close collaboration with the Budget Officer in Operations and the Regional Chief of Operations for the financial planning process for the preparation of the ROMP.
8. Perform other relevant tasks as needed.

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

Minimum requirements:

• Education:

  A university degree in Business Administration, Project Management, Finance, Accounting or another relevant technical field is required.

• Work Experience: At least 2 years of progressively responsible experience is required in one or more of the following areas: contribution management, budget, or financial management. Good command of excel is a requirement.
•  
• Language Requirements: Fluency in Spanish and English is required.

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 

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic background, and persons with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. To create a more inclusive workplace, UNICEF offers paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. Click here to learn more about flexible work arrangements, well-being, and benefits.

According to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. In its Disability Inclusion Policy and Strategy 2022-2030, UNICEF has committed to increase the number of employees with disabilities by 2030. At UNICEF, we provide reasonable accommodation for work-related support requirements of candidates and employees with disabilities. Also, UNICEF has launched a Global Accessibility Helpdesk to strengthen physical and digital accessibility. If you are an applicant with a disability who needs digital accessibility support in completing the online application, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF.

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 based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, 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.

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.