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?

Under the supervision of the Budget Officer, the Finance & Budget Associate will support the effective management of financial resources by strengthening financial stewardship, compliance, accountability, and operational efficiency. The role will provide accurate information, analysis, reporting, and monitoring to support risk-informed decision-making and organizational performance. The incumbent will contribute to finance and budget planning, monitoring, reporting, and follow-up by maintaining reliable data, supporting analysis, identifying issues and opportunities, and working closely with programme and operations teams. Through collaboration, problem-solving, attention to detail, and continuous improvement, the role will help ensure resources are managed efficiently, transparently, and in line with organizational policies and procedures, contributing to sustainable results for children.

The UNICEF Malawi Programme aims to advance the rights of children through equitable and accountable programme delivery and as a Finance & Budget Associate, you will strengthen financial stewardship, budget oversight, donor compliance, and efficient resource management for results for children.

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

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

Minimum requirements

• Education: Secondary education is required. Professional and/or university courses related to budget management, finance, accounting and other related fields are highly desirable.
• Work Experience: 6 years of relevant work experience in Financial Management, budget management, financial analysis, financial reporting, grant management, payroll administration, accounts payable, accounts receivable, funds management, internal controls, donor compliance and any other related fields.
• Skills: Strong knowledge of programme and operations budget management, financial accounting, payroll administration, reconciliations, transaction processing, and financial controls.  Ability to review, analyze, and interpret financial and budget data; identify risks, variances, and discrepancies; and recommend practical solutions to support sound decision-making.  Demonstrated ability to prepare budgets, forecasts, financial reports, cost estimates, year-end accounts, and documentation required for audit, assurance, and compliance purposes. Proficiency in SAP or other ERP systems, financial and budget management platforms, and advanced Microsoft Excel for planning, analysis, monitoring, reconciliation, and reporting. Excellent communication and client-service skills, with the ability to provide clear guidance, explain financial and budget requirements, and respond effectively to queries from programme and operations colleagues. Strong planning, organizational, problem-solving, and follow-up skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities, meet deadlines, and deliver accurate, high-quality work with limited supervision.
• Language Requirements: Fluency in English is required.

Desirables

• Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language such as Chichewa, Chiyao, or Chitumbuka, is an asset.
• Professional certification, university qualification, or advanced studies in Finance, Accounting, Budget Management, Business Administration, Economics, or another relevant field is an asset.
• Experience applying UNICEF, UN, international organization, or public-sector financial and budget procedures is an asset.
• Familiarity with IPSAS, donor funding requirements, grants management, and financial risk management is desirable.
• Experience supporting audit, assurance, or compliance reviews in a finance or budget function is an asset.
• 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

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.

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.

Humanitarian action is a cross-cutting priority within UNICEF's Strategic Plan. UNICEF is committed to stay and deliver in humanitarian contexts. Therefore, all staff, at all levels across all functional areas, can be called upon to be deployed to support humanitarian response, contributing to both strengthening resilience of communities and capacity of national authorities.

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.

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.