Finance Specialist (Counterparty Risk), P-3, DFAM O/P Istanbul, Republic of Türkiye, #00131305
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Job no: 580563
Contract type: Fixed Term Appointment
Duty Station: Istanbul
Level: P-3
Location: Türkiye
Categories: Financial Management
UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, to defend their rights, and to 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
DFAM’s goal is to ensure that financial resources are efficiently allocated to the Strategic Plan results chain, made available on time, and utilized effectively within an optimized organizational structure that is ‘fit for purpose.’ This is achieved through regular performance measurement, transparent financial and administrative reporting, and the development of risk-informed policies, improved procedures, and innovative systems. The TSF Section is responsible for managing relationships with Financial Service Providers (FSPs), including traditional banks, mobile money operators (MNOs), digital payment platforms, e-wallets, social media platforms, e-commerce, payment aggregators, fintech companies, and payment service processors. The section ensures compliance with internal quality assurance standards and external regulatory requirements, including Know Your Customer (KYC) and international sanctions, while managing financial counterparty risks. Additionally, the TSF Section focuses on improving efficiency, enhancing transparency in payment risk management, and accelerating UNICEF’s digital financial transformation across Programmes, Fundraising, and Operations.
This position is within the Division of Finance and Administrative Management (DFAM) and focuses on identifying and analyzing financial counterparty risks, overseeing the development and implementation of controls to monitor and alleviate risks for financial counterparties approved by DFAM Treasury including potential financial counterparty risks that could affect UNICEF’s programs, fundraising, and operations. This requires close collaboration with unit heads of the TSF Section, particularly the Chief of Banking Unit, and coordination with Regional and Country Offices, as well as other HQ divisions.
Key Responsibilities:
- FSP Risk Mitigation Strategies and Compliance:
- Conduct annual risk assessments of Financial counterparties to identify potential risks and inform yearly risk mitigation plans
- Develop a system to monitor financial counter party risk mitigation action plans and ensure Country Offices comply with UNICEF policies and FSP approval conditions.
- Update the monitoring calendar, share tools, and schedule compliance reviews with Regional and Country Offices.
- Review compliance submissions from Country Offices, propose changes to evidence requirements, and strengthen compliance conditions. Work closely with Treasury, Programme, and Operations teams to ensure best practices in Financial counterparty governance.
- Ensure Financial Counter parties comply with Know Your Customer (KYC), anti-money laundering (AML), and international sanctions regulations
- Offer advisory support to country offices on financial counterparty risk matters.
Knowledge Management:
- Create dashboards for easy trend reporting and monitoring.
- Maintain the DFAM Treasury SharePoint, including uploading files and managing dashboards and trackers.
- Capture new knowledge using tools like PowerBI, Excel, PowerPoint, and Microsoft Visio.
- Manage legal documentation for UNICEF, including service agreements with financial counterparties, and coordinate with legal and procurement teams.
Financial counterparty Selection:
- Approvals: Review the business case and terms of reference from Regional and Country Offices for new requests and extensions of financial counterparty approvals.
- Review financial counter party contractual agreements and risk assessments.
- Assist in drafting recommendations for the Treasurer's approval or disapproval of financial counterparties.
Collaboration & Reporting:
- Work with DFAM, Treasury, and external stakeholders to enhance risk management guidance.
- Prepare reports and recommendations on financial risk exposure.
- Support data analysis and reporting on financial counterparty risk trends.
Impact of the Role:
By ensuring robust Financial counterparty risk management, the Finance Specialist contributes to UNICEF’s financial integrity, reduces exposure to financial risks, and strengthens compliance with international standards. The role also enhances transparency, accountability, and efficiency in financial counterpart transactions.
If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here:

Minimum requirements:
- Education: Master or equivalent (Advanced University Degree) in Finance, Business, Economics and any other related fields.
- Work Experience: At Least 5 years of relevant work experience in Audit and Investigation, Financial Management, Banking and Finance, Cash Based Transfers, Risk management
- Language Requirements: Fluency in English is required.
Desirables:
- Language: Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language
- PowerBI, ERP, Multicultural environment, SAP, SharePoint, MS Excel
- Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergencies.
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
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 measures to include a more diverse workforce, such as paid parental leave, time off for breastfeeding purposes, 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. 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.
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.
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.
Advertised: GTB Standard Time
Deadline: GTB Daylight Time