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, the right to a Future

How can you make a difference?

In your role as Budget & Finance Specialist, you will be responsible for sound financial management and budget oversight to support the effective implementation of UNICEF Malawi’s Country Programme. You will provide technical leadership in financial planning, budgeting, accounting, treasury and cash management, internal controls, compliance with donor conditions, and financial risk management. You will supervise and provide leadership to finance and budget personnel and ensure timely allocation and monitoring of funds, accurate financial reporting, compliance with UNICEF regulations, IPSAS standards, HACT procedures, and donor requirements, while strengthening accountability and enhancing operational efficiency. You will manage financial transactions, monitor grants and expenditures and provide strategic financial advice to management and programme teams. Furthermore, you will promote capacity building by coaching staff and partners, sharing best practices, and fostering a culture of ethical resource management. Your sound and accountable management of resources contributes directly to efficient programme delivery, stronger internal controls, donor confidence, and improved outcomes for children in Malawi.

Join the UNICEF Malawi team to lead financial planning, budget control, treasury, compliance, risk management, donor financial reporting, and internal controls for an accountable and efficient programme delivery.

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here: Classified Job Descriptions - Budget & Finance Specialist _.pdf

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

Minimum requirements

• Education: Master or equivalent (Advanced University Degree) in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Project Management, Financial Economics, Chartered Financial Analyst, Auditing and any other related fields.
• Work Experience: 5 years of relevant work experience in Financial Management, Accounting and Auditing. Demonstrated experience working with banks and/or insurance companies. Experience in managing financial resources in volatile macroeconomic and foreign exchange environments. Experience in operating in high fraud and corruption risk contexts. Experience in supporting emergency preparedness and response. financial planning, budget management, grant management, donor reporting, treasury management, cash management, internal controls, financial compliance, accounting operations, risk management and any other related fields.
• Skills: 1. Demonstrated ability to apply strategic and critical thinking to financial planning, budgeting, resource management, and risk-informed decision-making. 2. Proven capacity to support change management, organizational improvement, and continuous strengthening of financial systems and business processes. 3. Strong ability to analyse, interpret, and present budgetary and financial data clearly to support management decisions and programme delivery. 4. Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with programme, operations, partners, and external stakeholders to resolve financial management issues. 5. Proven ability to work under pressure, manage competing priorities, and deliver timely, accurate, and high-quality outputs. 6. Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office, especially Excel required. 7. Knowledge of COSO Frameworks
• Language Requirements: Fluency in English is required.

Desirables

• Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.
• Experience negotiating with internal and external stakeholders, including banks, service providers, implementing partners, and programme teams, to resolve financial management issues and safeguard organizational interests.
• Relevant experience in the UN system, another international organization, international NGO, or comparable multicultural development or humanitarian setting.
• Demonstrated sound judgement, integrity, and emotional intelligence in handling sensitive financial, operational, and interpersonal issues, including proposing practical and risk-informed solutions.
• Experience applying IPSAS and/or IFRS standards in financial management, accounting, reporting, or audit-related functions.
• Experience using ERP systems, web-based management systems, database packages, and financial or budget modules; SAP experience is an asset.
• Experience building effective teams, fostering cross-functional collaboration, and coaching staff or partners to strengthen accountability, performance, and delivery of results.
• 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

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 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 are conditional on the selected candidates willingness to comply with current or future vaccination requirements, should UNICEF mandate it for personnel. Failure to comply with such requirements, where applicable and without a duly approved medical exemption from the relevant UN authority, will result in the cancellation of the selection or may lead to other administrative measures, including separation from service.

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 is committed to fostering an inclusive, representative, and welcoming workforce. For this position, eligible and suitable candidates 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.