Senior Finance Associate, G7, Fixed Term, Dhaka, Bangladesh, #127981

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, a future

How can you make a difference?

The Senior Finance Associate will be responsible for providing a variety of specialized tasks in finance functions, ensuring accurate and timely delivery that follows UNICEF financial rules and regulations, whilst demonstrating the capacity to research, adapt and evaluate irregular cases, and also to recommend improvements to process delivery and design.

The below list of tasks is expected to be carried out with a high level of independence. 

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

1. Responsible for a variety of accounting and financial tasks in an appropriate and timely manner and in compliance with UNICEF’s financial rules and regulations, while demonstrating the ability to identify, research, adapt and evaluate irregular cases. The incumbent should also recommend solutions and improvement systems for process implementation and design.
2. Advise and assist on all aspects related to the preparation of reports, compilation of data and provide responses to requests for recorded commitments, funds received, adjustments made to ensure compliance with financial rules and procedures, accuracy and completeness of data for recording in the accounting system and adjustment of budgets. Inform units of discrepancies and assist them in resolving inconsistencies in accounting entries.
3. Perform the monthly payroll activities from identifying funding shortages to confirming accuracy of monthly payments in coordination with HR and budget teams.
4. Liaise with UNICEF account managers at local banks to obtain daily information on exchange and interest rates, changes in procedures and regulations, and matters relating to the maintenance of UNICEF bank accounts; Prepare monthly bank reconciliation and regular reports.
5. Support the office in reviewing the assurance activity reports and financial reports of implementing partners to identify financial findings and internal control deficiencies that require rigorous follow-up, as well as general deficiencies with a focus on developing the capacity of implementing partners.
6. Review Direct Cash transfer (DCT) requests, liquidations, and reclassifications. Participate in HACT assurance activities by conducting spot checks for Implementing Partners (IP). Act as local help desk for eZHACT 2.0 related issues.
7. Advise and assist international staff, experts and consultants on all aspects of allowances, salary advances, travel claims and other financial matters, and calculate, authorize payments due for claims and services.
8. Initiate correspondence to verify data, answer queries and obtains additional information on accounts and financial transactions, as required.
9. Review programme documents budget, prepare detailed cost estimates, and participate in budget analysis and projects, as required.
10. Perform other duties, as required.

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

• Completion of secondary education is required with professional/university level courses in Accounting and Finance/Business administration considered as an asset.
• A minimum of seven years of clerical experience in finance and accounting is required.
• Bachelor’s degree from a recognized academic institution in a relevant field may replace three years of related work experience. A master’s degree may replace additional two years.
• 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…

(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 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. For this position, eligible and suitable female candidates are encouraged to apply.

Internal candidates who are legally permitted to work for UNICEF in Bangladesh, independently of UNICEF appointment, will also be considered.

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.