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.
For every child, results.
Gender equality is a key cross-cutting priority for the work of the United Nations globally, including Nepal. To move the gender transformation agenda forward in Nepal, the UN is partnering with the European Union on an innovative Joint Programme on Gender Empowerment. The four-year UN-EU Joint Programme (JP) titled Empowered Women, Prosperous Nepal (EWPN) (Shashakta Mahila, Sambridhha Nepal) is co-convened by the United Nations and the European Union and implemented by four UN agencies (UNICEF, UNFPA, UN Women, and ILO) in close coordination with the Government of Nepal. UNICEF is the Lead Participating UN Organization (PUNO) and administrative lead for the EWPN. The joint programme period runs from 2023 to 2026 in three provinces: Madhesh, Karnali, and Sudurpaschim.
EWPN aims to address the formal and informal barriers women and girls face in exercising their human rights. It strives to ensure that target groups are identified not only as target groups, but also as key contributors and empowered change agents. Women and girls, men and boys, people who are non-gender conforming, households, community actors/ networks, formal institutions, relevant social, economic, and political actors in project intervention areas will be among the target groups.
The Finance Officer (Admin.) will be contracted by UNICEF and will be working in close collaboration with the finance, administration and technical teams of the Participating UN Organizations (PUNOs). The incumbent will report to the Gender Programme Specialist of the EWPN Joint Programme Coordination Unit (JPCU). The JPCU coordinates with four (4) Agencies namely: ILO, UNICEF, UNFPA and UNWOMEN in Nepal to embrace jointness and complementarity in the programme.
The Finance Officer (Admin) will administer and execute a broad range of professional and technical financial transactions and processes in line with organizational goals, objectives, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures and in line with the requirements of the European Union as the donor agency.
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How Can You Make a Difference
The Finance Officer (Admin) is responsible for executing a broad variety of standardized financial tasks in relation to the EWPN and its JPCU which coordinates four UN Agencies. This role requires thorough knowledge of UNICEF financial procedures, processes, and policies and administrative instructions as well as that of the European Union financial reporting requirements. Furthermore, the position will require close collaboration with the technical specialists of the four UN agencies. PUNOs supporting timely and quality financial reporting in line with donor standards. The individual will report to the Gender Programme Specialist (JPCU Coordination)
Summary Of Key Functions/accountabilities
- Financial planning management, budgeting and including regular reporting.
- Provide technical guidance to the EWPN Joint Program Coordination Unit (JPCU) and lead in preparing the annual work plan, budget, and financial status reports by consolidating financial inputs from all involved Participating UN Organizations (PUNOs) to ensure unified and accurate projections.
- Analyse financial information/data to prepare financial reports in collaboration with PUNOS and according to European Union donor requirements, validating all financial data for accuracy and compliance with donor standards, and ensuring high-quality submissions by established deadlines. Support PUNOs financial and administrative colleagues in financial reporting processes in a timely and to the highest quality standards.
- Interagency Coordination to monitor budget utilization and provide regular updates to budget owners on the financial status of projects, flagging potential under- or over-expenditures and recommending reallocations where necessary to ensure the optimal use of available funds
- Control of all accounts for the EWPN programme
- Process and/or review (as per delegated authority) the accurate and timely processing submission of payments, travel claims, advances to governments etc.), journal entries and other financial transactions within scope to the Global Shared Services Center (GSSC), ensuring compliance with budgetary limits, IPSAS and organizational regulations, rules, policies, procedures, standards of accountability, and ethics.
- Process/supervise (as per delegated authority) the disbursement of payments when done locally via bank letters, checks, or petty cash.
- Monitor and analyse financial transactions, accounting reports and reconciliation of accounts to ensure accurate and current financial information for applicable compliance (e.g., IPSAS, donor reporting, internal policies) and management oversight, planning and/or action.
- Administrative and programme support including travels and Invoice Processing
- Oversee travel arrangements for JPCU staff, ensuring compliance with travel policy and working with travel focal points to secure optimal travel options for official business trips, and maintain travel budget control records to prevent overspending.
- Coordinate contracting processes for consultants and external partners, preparing and filing necessary documents, completing forms and templates, uploading TORs (Terms of Reference) into the VISION system, and tracking contract status for timely renewals or extensions. Manage document filing systems, maintaining both hard and electronic copies, and ensure timely and secure archiving or disposal of confidential information in line with data protection policies.
- Contracting of service providers
- Facilitate the processing of contracts for consultants and external partners that provide a service to the JPCU. This includes preparing and filing documents, completing necessary forms and templates, uploading TORs in vision, and making necessary logistical arrangements.
- Support the organization of procurement processes including preparation of Request for Quotations (ROQ) and Request for Proposal (RFP) for the provision of services, proposals, and their preliminary evaluation.
- Events and Conferences management including strategic meetings.
- Prepare and organize training materials and resources for capacity development initiatives, ensuring clarity and alignment with organizational procedures, and actively participate in training sessions to enhance team capabilities.
- Coordinate logistical and administrative support for meetings, workshops, and conferences, including budget planning, coordinating with vendors, securing travel arrangements for participants, and ensuring all necessary materials are prepared and available.
- Coordinate with the Admin and Supply sections for venue selection and ensure that purchase orders are processed in a timely manner for training events, conferences, and workshops. Draft, organize, and distribute background materials, prepare agendas, and upload relevant materials onto the intranet or shared platforms to ensure participants have access to the information needed for effective engagement.
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…
Academic Qualification
- A university degree in accounting, financial management or another related financial field is required. Supplemental formal financial /accounting training may be accepted if a university degree is not in a related financial field. Professional Diploma qualification in CIPFA could be considered in lieu of a relevant university degree or its equivalent.
Experience, Technical Knowledge/skills Required
- Minimum one year of professional experience mainly in financial management, budgeting, reporting particularly to support programme is required added with some experience in administration.
- Experience in an international organization and/or large corporation is an asset.
- Experience in database packages, web-based management systems and ERP systems (preferably SAP financial modules) is an asset.
- Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office, especially Excel required.
- Experience with IPSAS and/or IFRS is an asset.
- Experience in the UN or other international organizations, an asset.
Language Requirement
- Fluency in English and Nepali is required.
If you would like to know more about this position and to have a detailed overview of the post, please review the Terms of Reference (TOR): TOR: Finance Officer (Admin), NOA, TA
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…
- 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 committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic background, and persons with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.
We are committed to fostering a diverse workforce by implementing a wide range of inclusive measures. These include paid parental leave, 24 weeks of maternity leave, and 16 weeks of paternity leave. Female employees are allowed to have designated time off for breastfeeding, and our Kathmandu office has a creche that enables parents to bring their babies to work. Further, we offer flexible work arrangements that help align personal and professional goals. Click here to learn more about flexible work arrangements, well-being, and benefits.
According to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. In its Disability Inclusion Policy and Strategy 2022-2030, UNICEF has committed to increase the number of employees with disabilities by 2030. At UNICEF, we provide reasonable accommodation for work-related support requirements of candidates and employees with disabilities. Also, UNICEF has launched a Global Accessibility Helpdesk to strengthen physical and digital accessibility. If you are an applicant with a disability who needs digital accessibility support in completing the online application, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF.
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 based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, 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, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.
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 and candidates from the under-represented ethnic groups are strongly encouraged to apply.
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.
