Senior Fundraising Associate (Payment Lifecycle Management)

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 from early childhood through adolescence. 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 build careers while serving children and communities worldwide.

Job Overview:
The Senior Fundraising Associate (Payment Lifecycle Management) plays a crucial role in managing the donation processing lifecycle, ensuring accuracy and timeliness in handling donations from various sources. This position involves overseeing the payment lifecycle management team, analyzing payment data, and collaborating with other subunits within the Business Intelligence and Systems team to enhance payment approvals and reporting. The role requires proactive contributions to improve standard operating procedures and the design of payment optimization processes to maximize success rates. The incumbent will report to the Fundraising Officer (Donation Processing) and is expected to engage with partners, maintain communication with payment service providers, and ensure smooth operations in fundraising activities.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Manage the processing of donations from various sources, including face-to-face, digital, and corporate channels, ensuring accurate data management and processing schedules.
• Oversee the daily, weekly, and monthly donation processing schedules, analyzing and adjusting submission timelines to optimize payment approval rates.
• Lead the payment lifecycle management team, assigning tasks, managing schedules, and developing training and performance improvement plans for team members.
• Engage with partners and payment service providers to enhance payment processes and ensure minimal disruptions to fundraising operations.
• Conduct end-of-day and end-of-week income reconciliations to ensure accurate reporting and notify supervisors of potential disruptions.
• Maintain effective knowledge management systems related to payment lifecycle management processes and contribute to reports for decision-making purposes.
• Ensure data accuracy in the fundraising system and collaborate with various teams to align project requirements.
• Support administrative tasks such as contract procurement and invoice processing in compliance with UNICEF policies.

Required Qualifications:

• Minimum completion of secondary education; a university degree in relevant fields such as Accounting, Business Management/Administration, Supply Chain Management, or Finance is highly desirable.
• At least 7 years of experience in accounts payable or high-volume payment management, with additional experience substitutable for educational qualifications.
• Familiarity with finance and payment industry standards, and experience in managing high volumes of transactional data is preferred.
• Proven ability to work harmoniously in a multicultural environment and establish effective working relationships.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to perform basic data analysis are essential.
• Proficiency in computer systems, databases, and office applications, particularly Microsoft Office Excel and Salesforce, is required.

Educational Background:
Candidates should have at least completed secondary education, with a preference for those holding a university degree in relevant disciplines such as Accounting, Business Management/Administration, Supply Chain Management, or Finance. Higher educational qualifications may substitute for years of experience in the field.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 7 years of relevant work experience in accounts payable or high-volume payment management. Candidates with additional years of experience may substitute for educational qualifications, with three additional years for a bachelor's degree and two for a master's degree. Experience in managing high volumes of payment transactional data and familiarity with finance and payment industry standards is considered an asset, particularly for those with a background in financial institutions.

Languages:
Fluency in English and Bahasa Malaysia is required for this position. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish) or any other local language is considered an asset, enhancing communication capabilities within the diverse UNICEF environment.

Additional Notes:
This 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 emphasizes a zero-tolerance policy for conduct incompatible with its aims, including discrimination and abuse. All selected candidates will undergo rigorous background checks, and medical clearance is required for appointments. UNICEF promotes an inclusive workforce and encourages applications from all qualified candidates, including those with disabilities.