Jobs – Finance Officer at United Nations Children’s Fund

Job Title:    Finance Officer (HACT Assurance)

Organization: United Nations Children’s  Fund (UNICEF)

Duty Station: Kampala, Uganda

Reports to: Programme Specialist (Quality Assurance)

Vacancy Number: VN/PBR/2015/07

Grade: NOB

About US:

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) is mandated by the UN general assembly to advocate for the protection of children’s rights, to help meet their basic needs and expand their opportunities to reach their full potential. Together with our partners, we work in 190 countries and territories to translate that commitment into practical action, focusing special effort on reaching the most vulnerable and excluded children, to the benefit of all children, everywhere.

Job Summary: The Finance Officer will be responsible for supporting proactive and systematic Harmonized Approach to Cash Transfers (HACT) quality assurance for all activities implemented under the UNICEF Uganda Country Programme of Co-operation, in order to provide an independent, objective and effective assessment of the rationale, adequacy and effectiveness of the Country office’s risk management and HACT internal control framework, processes and systems. The Finance Officer will carry out due diligence reviews, audits and spot checks to promote efficiency, reduce risks of asset loss, and help ensure the reliability of financial statements.

Key Duties and Responsibilities: 

·         Actively contributes to preparation and development of HACT Assurance Plan in the country office to identify vulnerabilities and risk areas over Cash Assistance to Implementing Partners as well as the corresponding work plan to ensure the best possible use of UNICEF’s financial resources from all sources of funds.

·         Actively monitor and update the HACT assurance plan on assessments, financial spot checks and scheduled audits of the implementing partners;

·         Prepare and submit summary reports of each implementing partner on the risk assessment and findings/weaknesses, and continuously update the report with status of implementation by the partners;

·         Plans and carries out quality and objective assurance activities especially HACT Spot checks of UNICEF’s implementing partners according to the agreed work plan and/or as required by the country programme.

·         Work closely with Management, Operations and programme sections to identify areas where HACT capacity development is required for UNICEF Staff and implementing partners, design, deliver and implement HACT training or refresher courses and other necessary support and guidance required by the implementing partners;

·         Undertake regular visits to zone offices, District offices and PCA partner offices to establish and/or conduct monitoring and evaluation of systems and procedures and the adherence to rules and regulations, and training and guidance.

·         Develops approach of, and conducts specials assignments in Programme partnership areas as directed by the country office management and in compliance with the organizational policies and procedures.

·         Formulates pragmatic recommendations and secures the agreement of management to mitigate the identified risks.

·         Monitors and assesses adequacy of actions taken to ensure the risks are managed.

·         Supports the Deputy Representative to co-ordinate audit preparations in Programme Management areas and the consolidation of the documentations required for the audit including full documentation of each self-assessment exercises as well as documentation of all HACT assurance related activities.

·         Assists Deputy Representative and Quality Assurance Specialist to co-ordinate with sections in UNICEF offices in Uganda (CO and Zone Offices) and facilitates the conduct of Micro assessments by an independent auditor as may be required and to support and facilitate the annual audits of implementing partners.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience: 

·         The ideal candidate for the United Nations UNICEF Finance Officer(HACT Assurance) should hold a University degree (Master’s) in Accounting, Business Administration, Financial Management, Economics, International Development or a directly-related technical field(s) is required. Hold a valid professional certification (CA; CPA; etc.) from an accredited chartered accountancy institution, in conjunction with a relevant first-level (Bachelor’s) university degree in a directly-related technical field (as identified above), may be taken in lieu of an advanced university degree.

·         Working knowledge of International Public Sector Accounting Standards is desirable.

·         Prior UNICEF experience and familiarity with SAP highly desirable.

·         At least two years of relevant experience, at the national and international levels, in Operations Management, Financial Management, Audit Management, Risk Management and/or Programme Management – with hands on experience in planning, undertaking and reporting on financial management assurance activities related to HACT and/or similar grant management oversight systems used by donor and funding agencies – is required.

·         Previous experience in training professionals in the context of HACT is considered highly desirable.

·         Fluency in English is required and strong written and verbal communications skill therein strongly desirable.

Core Values (Required): Commitment; Diversity and Inclusion; Integrity

Core Competencies (Required): Communication; Working with People; Drive for Results

Functional Competencies (Required):  Applying Technical Expertise; Deciding and Initiating Actions; Following Instructions and Procedures; Leading and Supervising; Planning and Organizing.

NB: UNICEF is committed to gender equality in its mandate and its staff; qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. UNICEF is a smoke free environment.

How to Apply:

All suitably qualified and interested Ugandan Nationals who wish to join the United Nations UNICEF must send their applications accompanied by an updated CV and P11 form, download here, as well as two of the most recent performance evaluation report.

The Email applications should be sent in this format to name your file attachments: Firstname_Lastname followed by document e.g. Gold_MukasaP11 or Gold_MukasaCV or Gold_MukasaApplication.

The applications should be addressed to:

Human Resource Manager,

UNICEF Kampala, Uganda,

Plot 9, George Street,

P.O. Box 7047, Kampala Uganda

Via Email to:   ugderecruit@unicef.org

Deadline: 22^nd October, 2015

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