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 fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programs, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favoritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life — in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions — her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfill their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations.
This position heads the Procurement Services Accounting Unit and is situated in the Financial Management Center (FMC) of Supply Division in Copenhagen. The provision of Procurement Services to external partners is a key activity for Supply Division and the PS Accountng Unit plays a pivotal role in supporting these activities with accounting and reporting and in ensuring that funds entrusted to UNICEF are kept safe and are utilized in accordance with UNICEF’s Rules and Regulations. The unit plays an important role in ensuring that external partners are satisfied and feel comfortable in having entrusted their funds to UNICEF.
The position manages a team of 10 staff in total and directly supervises three P2 and one GS7 posts.
How can you make a difference?
Under the general supervision of the Senior Finance Advisor, FMC, the incumbent is responsible for financial accounting and reporting of all Procurement Services activities of over $700 million annually.
Summary of key functions/accountabilities:
- Provides technical advice and guidance to stakeholders within Supply Division and the wider UNICEF on ensuring UNICEF’s compliance with all financial requirements of Procurement Services agreements, including non-standard contracts, through active participation in the planning process and ensuring awareness of applicable rules and regulations among Procurement Services partners.
- Responsible for monitoring, analysis and accurate recording of all financial transactions relating to Procurement Services to ensure that UNICEF’s financial resources are not subject to any risk and funds received from partners are well controlled.
- Proposes changes and improvements to automated systems and reporting as needed and will actively explore possible cost-efficiencies in existing transactional processes.
- Responds to audit observations related to the management of the Procurement Services Trust Funds and related transactions and initiates corrective action as required.
- Authorizes the release of budget needed for Procurement Services transactions, while ensuring sufficient availability of funds received at all times and/or through establishing that advance payment requirements have been exceptionally waived by the appropriate in accordance with applicable procedures. Ensures that expenditure does not exceed the funds provided for by Procurement Services partners, which could result in unrecoverable losses to UNICEF. Approves local currency deposits within established limits set by DFAM and/or in consultation and upon approval by DFAM only.
- Establishes work plans and sets priorities for Procurement Services Accounts Unit, monitors performance, provides timely guidance and support to staff in the operation of Procurement Services accounting and reporting activities and ensures proper interpretation and consistent application of the Financial Rules & Regulations, circulars and accounting instructions.
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…
The following minimum requirements:
• Education: Advanced University degree in Business Administration with concentration in accounting or equivalent professional qualification.
A first University degree may be considered in lieu of an advanced university degree in conjunction with two additional years of relevant work experience.
• Work Experience: At least 8 (eight) years of relevant and progressive and successful work experience at the national and international levels especially in the areas of financial management, budget preparation, accounting and/or audit. In depth exposure to IPSAS requirements within a UN context and in ensuring needed compliance. Extensive work experience in a computerized accounting environment. Exposure to supply and procurement processes desirable.
• Language: Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) 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…
(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 [add the 8th competency (Nurtures, leads and manages people) for a supervisory role].
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.
UNICEF’s active commitment to diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children.
Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.
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.
visa residence requirements: i.e.: 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.]
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.