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, Education

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.

Background and Strategic Context

The conflict in Northern Ethiopia has led to the destruction of infrastructure, disruption of production, and displacement of more than 4.5 million people, resulting in considerable social trauma and economic crisis. Youths have witnessed violence and experienced mass displacement, compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has had profound effects on their mental health and overall well-being. More than 2.8 million children missed education in Afar, Amhara, and Tigray in 2021, and 4,600 schools in Amhara, nearly 2,000 schools in Tigray, and 545 in Afar were damaged by the conflict (UNICEF 2023). Youth owned and led Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in these areas have significantly reduced or shut down their operations, with limited access to finance and recovery support. To recover from these multiple shocks, it is essential to support economically disadvantaged youth, families, and communities in rebuilding their lives, restoring essential services, and reviving the economy. 

In response to these challenges, UNICEF and the Mastercard Foundation have partnered to codesign and implement the Biqu Wetat (ብቁ ወጣት) Programme. This initiative aims to help young people pursue and sustain opportunities in education, skills development, entrepreneurship, and employment. The program is driven by the belief that equipping young people with knowledge, positive attitudes, and relevant skills, including social-emotional, soft and technical skills through mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS), can enable them to rebuild social connectedness, become more resilient, and unlock their potential to create positive and sustainable change in their communities. 

The program will be implemented in the conflict-affected regions of Afar, Amhara, and Tigray, targeting 50 economically disadvantaged woredas selected through an iterative prioritization process. The program will focus on youth prioritizing the most vulnerable and marginalized, including women, and persons with disabilities. Building on its human rights mandate and commitment to the "leave no one behind" principle (LNOB), the program will ensure that all youth in the affected areas have access to program-supported opportunities and can fulfil their basic needs and rights, regardless of their background, location, gender, or disability.

How can you make a difference

Purpose of the job

Join our team to lead and support the section’s financial management, monitoring, and reporting, and will support capacity building to the counterparts and partners from national to sub-national level in financial management and reporting in line with UNICEF Harmonized approach to cash transfers (HACT) requirements as well as the basic financial rules and regulations of the government. 

Under the supervision and guidance of the Program Manager, the senior programme associate provides a range of procedural, administrative, and operational support in developing, implementing, executing and monitoring the Biqu Wetat (ብቁ ወጣት) programme, ensuring effective and timely delivery that is consistent with UNICEF rules and regulations. 

Summary of Key Functions and Accountabilities: 

• Facilitating the development of programme cooperation agreements (PCAs) by providing information, reviewing and or developing selected sections of it.  
• Maintain and prepare programme budget /resources reports with special focus on programme budget monitoring; analysis of trends on programme budget allocation and utilization by UNICEF and partners; and analysis of trends in project agreements for management and decision making.
• Ensuring the timely and accurate recording and administrative processing of implementing partner proposals and requests for direct cash transfers (DCTs).
• Generates reports on Programme DCTs and status of reporting/liquidations and reimbursements by partners. Disseminate the report with programme manager, follow-up actions to liquidate the outstanding DCT.
• Conducting programme monitoring in UNICEF target locations for cash and supplies and informing team-members on the status. 
• Support the coordination of regular spot checks of partner’s projects to assess their financial record-keeping, expenditure controls and reporting systems.
• Monitoring and tracking the efficient distribution of supplies that are required for effective programme delivery.
• Supporting the Programme team in researching, compiling and analyzing qualitative and quantitative data and information from a variety of sources on subject matters relevant to the work of the section to facilitate programme delivery as well as preparation of reports, working papers and presentations.  
• Carrying out transactions in VISION ensuring programme results, activities and programme coding are as per agreed work plans, and making amendments and alterations as per section revisions when necessary.
• Carrying out transactions in VISION pertaining to grants and programme-related items for his/her section including but not limited to registering grant allotments and tracking expiring programme grants. 
• Establish and maintain information database system of partner profiles, agreements, partner assessments, check lists, internal and external meeting minutes and other information and documentation relevant to programme coordination and reporting.
• Preparing monitoring and reporting information for supervisor and team on agreed performance indicators to drive more efficient management and accountability for results.
• Regularly monitoring budgets and financial expenditures of the Programme by employing applicable tools, ensuring compliance with UNICEF rules and regulations, keeping supervisor informed and advise on actions for decision and/or follow up.
• Prepare periodic or ad-hoc financial reports relating to Programme to support the Programme in optimizing use of programme funds. 
• Assist in coordinating, compiling and consolidating inputs from all team members, programme sections, field offices and partners related to reports including meetings. 
• Supports capacity development activities related to programme development by preparing training materials and participating in exercises.
• Other assigned duties and responsibilities are effectively accomplished.

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

Minimum requirements:

Education:

Completion of secondary education is required, preferably supplemented by technical or university courses related to the work of the organization.

A bachelor’s degree from a recognized academic institution in business administration, public administration, social sciences, international relations, or other related areas may replace three years of related work experience. A master’s degree may replace an additional two years.

Work Experience: 

• A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible administrative or financial management experience is required.
• Good handling of data and spreadsheets using excel is required together with an ability to effectively manage the programme’s material resources and monitor its budget.
• A high sense of confidentiality, initiative, attention to detail, and good judgment are required.
• Good communication skills, ability to work in cross-functional teams and collaborate with diverse stakeholders are required. 

Skills:

• Strong analytical, organizational, planning, and prioritizing skills and abilities are an asset. 

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English and Amharic language is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (French, Spanish, Arabic, or Russian) or the local language is an asset.

Desirables:

• Experience using MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint and other UNICEF software such as SharePoint are an asset.
• Prior experience in private sector or programme support functions is an asset.
• Relevant experience in a UN system agency or organization is considered an  asset.
• 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…

(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 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.

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.