Strategic Business Partner

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 emphasizes equity, ensuring that all children have the opportunity to survive and thrive without discrimination. UNICEF employs a diverse workforce and offers opportunities for professional and personal development, along with an attractive compensation and benefits package. The organization is dedicated to fostering an inclusive environment that reflects the diversity of the children it serves.

Job Overview:
The Strategic Business Partner will be responsible for overseeing operations functions, facilitating change, and providing risk-informed, solution-focused analysis and advice. This role is crucial for contributing to program and management decisions aimed at delivering results for children in specific operational contexts. The incumbent will champion strategic resources to achieve organizational goals, ensuring Value for Money (VfM) through effective resource identification and utilization. They will lead financial oversight management, monitor the country program budget, and implement various financing modalities. Additionally, the role involves enhancing risk management to improve organizational performance and strengthen internal controls, ensuring compliance with policies and procedures. The Strategic Business Partner will also work on optimizing operational processes for efficiency and effectiveness, while fostering partnerships both internally and externally to leverage UNICEF's financial management capabilities.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Champion strategic resources to achieve organizational goals and ensure Value for Money (VfM) by identifying and utilizing resources effectively in various VfM areas.
• Lead financial oversight management, monitoring, and reporting of the country program budget and private sector fundraising budgets.
• Implement financing modalities for supplies and cash-based transfers.
• Enhance risk management to improve organizational performance and strengthen internal controls.
• Support the office with up-to-date information for operational and programmatic risk-informed decisions.
• Review internal controls and policies, providing oversight for appropriate implementation.
• Facilitate compliance with operational processes, minimizing costs and maximizing efficiencies.
• Provide technical support on HACT implementation and partner with programs for budgeting advice.
• Engage in resource mobilization and support donor negotiations and accountability. 1
• Foster a positive operations environment that supports private sector fundraising and UN Reform initiatives.

Required Qualifications:

• An Advanced University Degree (Master’s and above) in Business management, Financial management, Accounting, Public Finance, or related operations functions is required.
• A full professional accounting designation from an internationally recognized institute is also acceptable.
• Minimum of 5 years of professional experience in operations management, including budget and financial management, administration, and supply chain management.
• Experience in the development sector or UN system/international NGOs is an asset.
• Additional experience in audit, safety and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security, grant management, or enterprise risk management is desired.
• Familiarity with corporate ERPs and IPSAS is highly desirable.
• Knowledge of Results Based Management is required.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess an Advanced University Degree (Master’s and above) in relevant fields such as Business management, Financial management, Accounting, Public Finance, or related operations functions. Alternatively, a full professional accounting designation from a recognized institute is acceptable. This educational background is essential for understanding the complexities of financial management and operations within UNICEF.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 5 years of professional experience at the national and/or international level, specifically in operations management areas such as budget, financial management, and reporting. Experience in the development sector or UN system/international NGOs is preferred. Additional experience in audit, safety and security, grant management, or enterprise risk management is desired. Familiarity with corporate ERPs and IPSAS is highly desirable, as is experience in supporting client-oriented work units.

Languages:
Fluency in Spanish and an advanced level of English are required for this position. Knowledge of another official UN language or the local language of the duty station is considered an asset, enhancing communication and collaboration within the diverse environments UNICEF operates in.

Additional Notes:
The position is full-time and may involve international recruitment. UNICEF offers a comprehensive benefits package, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities. The organization is committed to safeguarding the rights of every child and has a zero-tolerance policy for misconduct. All selected candidates will undergo rigorous background checks, and adherence to UNICEF's standards and principles is mandatory. The appointment is subject to medical clearance and may require compliance with vaccination requirements.