UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

The function of Geneva Common Services (COS) is to provide operations and administration, ICT, HR, financial management, and accounting services to UNICEF entities and staff based in Geneva to support the achievement of business results. As such, COS contributes to the UNICEF Strategic Plan enablers ‘Agile and responsive business model’ and ‘Dynamic and inclusive people and culture’. This Temporary Appointment is placed under the Finance team of COS.

For every child, a Champion

Under the overall guidance of the Accounting and Finance Manager, the staff member is expected to perform a variety of specialized tasks and provide efficient and timely support to the Finance functions of the office. The staff member is required to have a thorough knowledge of UNICEF administrative and financial procedures, processes, and policies.

How can you make a difference?

Cash management

• Actively participate in the launch of the P-card programme for all entities in Geneva, including training, issuance of cards and reconciliation of card transactions.
• Work with offices to encourage vendors to accept P-card payments.
• Coordinate and generate cash flow reports on a monthly basis.

 Account analysis.

• Conduct a thorough monthly and year-end analysis of all VAT receivables to ensure entries are valid and provide guidance and recommendations for clearing them.
• Review and analyze regularly open items such as prepayments, accounts payable, staff balances, unapplied receipts, and follow up and clear accounts as required.
• Assist in the issuance of journal vouchers to record cash deposits and /or correct accounting entries.
• Assist with monitoring and utilization of funds.

Financial guidance support and training.

• Identify and document missing work instructions that can be useful for local focal points in Geneva.
• Provide guidance and training on the application, interpretation, and implementation of UNICEF Financial policies, procedures, and guidelines to all relevant stakeholders.
• Perform other tasks as requested by the Supervisor.

 DELIVERABLES:

• Financial management and reporting are successfully carried out throughout the year.
• Financial resources are available maintained and managed.
• Simplification of processes to minimize costs, reduce duplication of work, and maximize efficiencies are reviewed and implemented.

 Estimated Duration of the contract

• 364 days

Reporting To:

• Accounting and Finance Manager

Working Place:

• Geneva, Switzerland

To qualify as a Champion for every child you will have…

Education:

• Completion of secondary education is required, preferably supplemented by technical or university courses related to the field of work.
• A professional/university-level course in Accounting, Finance, or Business Administration is considered an asset.

Experience:

• A minimum of 6 years of relevant work experience in finance and/or accounting is required.
• Proficiency in the use of standard MS Office applications (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint).
• A good understanding of financial aspects, payments, recording, and monitoring utilization of funds is required.
• UN/UNICEF experience is an asset.

Language requirements:

• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish) or a local language 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…

• Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (1)
• Works Collaboratively with others (1)
• Builds and Maintains Partnerships (1)
• Innovates and Embraces Change (1)
• Thinks and Acts Strategically (1)
• Drives to achieve impactful results (1)
• Manages ambiguity and complexity (1) are required.

During the recruitment process, we test candidates following the competency framework. Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels: competency framework here.

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 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 promote the protection and safeguarding of all children.

Remarks: 

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by UNICEF, is required for IP positions. Appointments are also 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 cancelled.

UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. 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.

Government employees that are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government 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.

General Service Staff are recruited locally. Candidates must be in possession of an existing work permit or be a resident/citizen of Switzerland and/or a commuting area to be considered eligible for this position.  

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.