Finance Specialist (Risk Reduction), NOC, Niamey, Niger #130932 (Temporary Appointment: 364 days)

The mission of the Finance and Fiduciary Risk Reduction Specialist is to ensure the effective and efficient use of resources provided to the government, aligning with the Procedures Manual, Partnership Pact, and program objectives.

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.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, Education.

In its role as the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) grant agent and coordinator of the education sector pool, UNICEF has established a management unit to coordinate the pooled fund's implementation mechanisms, reduce fiduciary risks, and report on fund performance to all partners, in line with the Procedures Manual, partnership framework priorities, and program objectives.

The education sector common fund is a multi-partner initiative supporting Niger, guided by the country’s Finance Laws, implemented by the government, and managed under a procedures manual based on national systems. UNICEF's role encompasses coordinating partner support, facilitating adherence to authorized procedures, ensuring effective resource use, and reporting on field results for Nigerien learners

How can you make a difference??? 

The mission of the Finance and Fiduciary Risk Reduction Specialist is to ensure the effective and efficient use of resources provided to the government, aligning with the Procedures Manual, Partnership Pact, and program objectives :

• Collaborate with CAMOS, the CAMOS Central Technical Assistance Unit, the Directorate General of the Treasury, and other FCSE partners.
• Oversee quality assurance actions, including analyzing the government’s financial reports to promote effective and efficient resource use per FCSE objectives and compliance standards.
• Submit annual audit reports, financial statements, and management letters for GPE-funded programs, meeting the standards in the Operations Manual.
• Annually (or as agreed), provide a projection of implementation funding, showing the planned use of undisbursed and allocated funds for the remaining program period.
• Ensure GPE funds comply with GPE policies and guidelines, the GPE-approved grant request, and financial procedures.
• Prioritize or proportionally align GPE fund usage with other funding sources, including grant agent resources.
• Follow internal and GPE protocols regarding suspected fund misuse.
• Review and analyze financial reports (monthly, semi-annual, and annual) prepared by government partners.

Main Responsibilities:

The incumbent will implement and strengthen internal controls to ensure effective systems for preventing, detecting, and reporting non-compliance.

Key Tasks:

• Assess work processes for completeness, adequacy, and compliance with the Procedures Manual.
• Develop a risk-based system to periodically review sample activities, ensuring compliance with the FCSE Operations Manual.
• Establish a system to document and report internal control weaknesses and address identified gaps by building staff capacity.
• Participate in planning, reviewing, and following up on internal, advisory, and external audits.
• Track the implementation of audit recommendations, providing status updates to the supervisor.
• Identify operational and programmatic risks, proposing mitigative actions.
• Promote value for money, cost-effectiveness, and efficiency, advising on minimizing resource losses (cash, assets, supplies, etc.).
• Monitor and manage the budget process, ensuring integrity across all financial transactions.
• Coordinate the collection of financial management performance indicators.
• Ensure full compliance with operational reporting requirements; collaborate with the Head of PMU, CAMOS Technical Assistance Team, and contributing partners to implement audit recommendations.
• Advise on corrective actions and develop training activities to enhance operational efficiency and performance.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

• Advanced university degree in Accounting, Finance, Auditing, Business Administration or equivalent. Experience in management and implementation in delegated project management is an asset.
• A minimum of five (5) years of continuing professional experience in financial management, auditing or another directly relevant field.
• Fluency in French is required with good knowledge of English.  Another UN language (Arabic, Chinese, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.

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 (1)
• Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness (1)
• Drive to achieve results for impact (1)
• Innovates and embraces change (1)
• Manages ambiguity and complexity (1)
• Thinks and acts strategically (1)
• Works collaboratively with others (1)

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

Note: internal candidates who apply for this temporary appointment may keep the link with their positions for a maximum of 364 days, subject to approval by the representative following agreement with the Head of Section or Zonal Office.

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. To create a more inclusive workplace, UNICEF offers paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. 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 are 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.