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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, a Champion

Ethiopia is situated in the Horn of Africa and is the second most populous country on the continent with an estimated population of 115 million. It borders six African countries: Djibouti, Eritrea, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, and Sudan, and covers 1,104,300 square kilometers. Approximately 85 percent of the population lives in rural areas. Ethiopia represents a melting pot of ancient cultures with Middle Eastern and African cultures evident in the religious, ethnic, and language composition of its people.

Over the past two years, children and their families across Ethiopia faced multiple and complex emergencies, such as the conflict in the northern Ethiopia and the drought, which resulted in millions of people in need of urgent humanitarian assistance. UNICEF has programmes in Child Protection, WASH, Health, Nutrition, Social Policy, and Education and serves over 15 million children in Ethiopia. Join UNICEF Ethiopia to contribute to improving the lives of children and women

How can you make a difference? 

1. Policy, procedures and strategies

• As technical manager, accountable for the correct and consistent application of policies and procedures in the management of administrative and financial functions through the provision of technical leadership, guidance and support to the country office and sub-offices where applicable.
• Contributes to global, regional and country strategic planning and policy changes/formulation on administrative and financial matters as necessary. Provides technical input to the establishment of administrative and financial guidelines in close coordination with the head of office, DRO and the Division of Financial and Administrative Management (DFAM).
• Advises the DRO and updates staff on administrative and financial policies, procedures, rules and regulations, providing authoritative advice and administrative and financial support. Decides on the appropriate application and interpretation of administrative and financial rules, regulations, policies and procedures. Ensures arriving and departing staff are briefed on administrative and financial procedures and requirements.
• Coordinates with the Regional and HQ Divisions to support policy reform in the area of administrative and financial service management; advises on the applicability of new policy directives at the country level. Makes substantive recommendations on the improvement of systems and internal controls, planning, restructuring, and resolution of sensitive issues taking into account the prevailing conditions in the locality.
•  Keeps the supervisor abreast of potential problem areas and identifies and recommends solutions. Prepares reports on administrative and financial matters.
• Oversees administrative and financial support and services to field offices and sub-offices. Undertakes missions to field locations to review administrative and financial arrangements and makes appropriate recommendations as required.

2. The budget preparation and implementation are properly administered, monitored and controlled in the area of administrative management and services

• Manages the budget in close coordination with the DRO to ensure that objectives stipulated early in the fiscal year are realized for smooth operations of the Country Office/sub-offices, where applicable.
• Recommends and prepares estimates on office premises, supplies and equipment requirements for budget preparation purposes. Assists zone offices in the establishment and maintenance of administrative and financial services. Prepares, monitors and controls the support budget.

3. Administrative support and services

•  Ensures timely and effective delivery and improvement in administrative support and office services for enhanced quality, efficiency and cost effectiveness, including space management, transport services, vehicle use and maintenance, equipment, conference and travel arrangements, document reproduction, communications, mail and delivery services, local procurement and bill payments of utilities.
•  Ensures the timely and cost-effective provision of basic office services including space management, equipment, communications and security to enhance staff safety and productivity.
• Manages properties of administrative supplies, office equipment and vehicles, updating inventory of items, serving as ex-officio member to the Property Survey Board and ensuring follow-up action.
• Prepares Property Survey Board submissions for the head of office or DRO, prepares minutes of meetings and assists in executing PSB recommendations approved by the Head of Office.
• Ensures that all administrative transactions and arrangements of contracts are in compliance with the applicable policies, procedures, rules and regulations.

4. Partnership, coordination and collaboration

• Develops and maintains effective working relations with other agencies, local authorities and implementing partners relating to administrative matters for enhancement of information exchange, collaboration, and harmonization.
• Cooperates and coordinates with other UN agency counterparts in the UN reform initiatives (including common services and premises agenda, etc.).

5. Accounting, financial and budgetary transactions and control

•  Ensures the control and operation of bank accounts are in accordance with UN/UNICEF financial rules and regulations and local banking practices. Ensures up to date information on the cash position or status of such accounts. Manage bank reconciliation activities and keeps abreast of all procedures and regulations regarding the maintenance of bank accounts.
• Ensures accurate and timely processing and recording of disbursements and payments e.g. MIP, travel claims, pension fund, insurance, advances to government etc, in accordance with established rules, regulations, systems and within budgetary limits. Also, ensure recovery of advances and accounts receivable.
• Monitor financial transactions and accounting reports, and reconciliations of accounts to ensure accurate and up-to-date financial information. Prepare required reports and statements for Head of Office and HQ.
• Manage Vision finance module, provide training and orientation to staff on its use and coordinate with IT staff on technical adjustments or irregularities.
• Undertake visits to regions to provide accounting and finance training to counterparts and support, establish and/or review systems and procedures for compliance with rules and regulations, and prepare report and recommendations.
• Participate in country programme strategy, development, planning and preview/review meetings to identify financial and administrative requirements.
• Advise and recommend to the DRO when deviation from rules and regulations may be required and propose alternative solutions through the Representative to HQ to meet office objectives.
• Supervise the Finance unit staff and ensures that UNICEF's Financial & Admin Rules & Regulations, Policies and procedures and day to day guidelines are complied with. And ensures that all tasks necessary to satisfy the reporting obligations of the unit are carried out.

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

Minimum requirements:

• Education: An advanced university degree in one of the following fields is required: Advanced university degree in social sciences, business management, administration, finance, or any other relevant field of discipline.
• Work Experience: At least 8 years of relevant work experience in professional development experience that combines technical and managerial leadership in development cooperation at the international level, some of which served in a developing country is required. Relevant professional experience in any 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.

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…

• Builds and maintains partnerships (2)
• Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness (2)
• Drive to achieve results for impact (2)
• Innovates and embraces change (2)
• Manages ambiguity and complexity (2)
• Thinks and acts strategically (2)
• Works collaboratively with others (2)
• Nurtures, leads and manages people (2)

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.

UNICEF’s active commitment to diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable female candidates and persons with disability are encouraged to apply.

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.

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

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.]

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.