Programme Associate (Budget) GS-6

Job Posting Organization:
UNICEF, established in 1946, operates in over 190 countries and territories with a mission to save children's lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential. The organization is committed to promoting the rights of every child and offers diverse opportunities for professional and personal development to its staff. UNICEF is known for its inclusive culture and attractive compensation and benefits package, aiming to create a workplace where everyone can belong and grow.

Job Overview:
The Programme Associate (Budget) GS-6 position at UNICEF involves supporting the Country Office in developing, implementing, and monitoring budget elements of the country programme. This role is crucial for ensuring effective and timely delivery of services in line with UNICEF's rules and regulations. The Programme Associate will work closely with various staff members and counterparts to facilitate budget formulation, monitoring, and implementation. Key responsibilities include researching and compiling data, managing transactions in VISION, analyzing reports on staff costs, and preparing financial reports for donors. The position requires regular monitoring of budgets and financial expenditures, ensuring compliance with UNICEF standards, and conducting spot checks of partner projects to assess financial record-keeping and reporting systems.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Programme Associate (Budget) GS-6 will be responsible for a variety of tasks, including: researching and compiling qualitative and quantitative data relevant to programme delivery; carrying out transactions in VISION to ensure alignment with annual work plans; uploading cost distributions for payroll processing; compiling and analyzing reports on staff costs; performing quality checks on payroll-related information; retrieving and compiling reports for meetings; preparing periodic and ad-hoc financial reports for donors; monitoring budgets and financial expenditures; conducting regular spot checks of partner projects; and supporting the Programme Review Committee secretariat. The role also involves advising on improvements to keep activities on track and ensuring compliance with UNICEF rules and regulations.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must have a minimum of six years of experience in office administration combined with budget support administration. They should possess in-depth knowledge of project operations, including monitoring and evaluation processes. Strong organizational, planning, and prioritizing skills are essential, along with a high sense of confidentiality, initiative, and good judgment. The ability to work effectively with diverse cultural backgrounds and strong office management skills are also required. Attention to detail and good analytical skills are crucial, as well as proficiency in MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and other UNICEF software such as SharePoint.

Educational Background:
Completion of secondary education is required, with professional or university courses related to the field of work being highly desirable. A bachelor's degree in Finance, Business, or other relevant disciplines may be considered equivalent to three years of related professional experience. A master's degree may be considered equivalent to an additional two years of related professional experience, enhancing the candidate's qualifications for the role.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of six years of relevant experience in office administration and budget support administration. This experience should ideally include working in development, fragile settings, and humanitarian contexts, providing the candidate with a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and requirements of the role.

Languages:
Fluency in English and Arabic is required for this position, with knowledge of French considered an asset. This linguistic proficiency is essential for effective communication within the diverse environment of UNICEF and for engaging with various stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
The position is full-time and may involve working in humanitarian contexts, where staff can be called upon to support humanitarian responses. UNICEF promotes a diverse and inclusive workforce and encourages applications from all qualified candidates, including those from underrepresented groups. The organization provides a range of benefits, including paid parental leave and reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities. Candidates should be aware that UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct incompatible with its objectives, including discrimination and abuse. Background checks will be conducted for all selected candidates, and medical clearance is required for appointments.