The incumbent is responsible for providing guidance and support to GSSC and PPD colleagues with processing of contributions, special accounts and other funding arrangements in adherence with UNICEF Financial Regulations and Rules, policies and directives. They are responsible for the review of work processes towards introducing efficiencies, review of complex agreements, drafting of policies and procedures applicable to the area of financial resources, guidelines and training material.
The incumbent is also responsible for analyzing contribution financial information in response to requests; providing advice to PPD on new donor agreements and identify potential issues on signed agreements. They will also ensure accurate and compliant revenue recognition and receivables management.
Key accountabilities include:
Providing sound advice to Chief Grants Management, DFAM on issues related to funding agreements including adherence to the organization’s Financial Regulations and Rules; policies and directives.
Finalizing statutory reports related to UNICEF contributions and performing analysis as required, on receivables, revenue, refunds and receipts.
Drafting guidance and SOP to support the implementation of policies and procedures concerning contribution revenue, receivables, refunds and receipts and related topics.
Support and promote effective contribution management within UNICEF:
Prepare guidelines, work processes, procedures applicable to the area of financial resources management
Analyze complex revenue/receivable issues and where applicable, recommend course of action. Review and approval of Note For Records.
Periodically analyze receivables, revenue, refunds and receipts data, including trust funds.
Ensure data integrity between Grants Module data and VISION financial module.
Provide support to GSSC Contribution Unit and review GSSC SOPs and ensures in line with UNICEF policies and procedures.
Ensure GSSC processing quality checks are up to date and issues are followed up.
Support PPD with the management of complex key donor accounts.
Follow up on status of overspent grants and accounts receivables with PPD and UNICEF office colleagues. Ensure action is taken on overdue or overspent grants in consultation with relevant parties.
Seek opportunities to ensure that activities of DFAM, PPD and GSSC are closely coordinated and foster good communication.
Participate, at the request of PPD, in discussions/negotiations with donors.
Manage VISION Grants Module related system updates and improvements. Support financial reporting team on modifications and improvements to the grants module (including budget set-up) to ensure aligned with UNICEF policies and procedures.
Support the review of revenue/receivables issues and prepare proposals for correct accounting entries and/or corrections required. Propose solutions (including grants module improvement) for issues related to classification, valuation, codification and recoding of accounting entries.
Oversees the management of the US collection, analysis and reconciliation process.
Manage the work of the unit so that all duties are performed efficiently and effectively:
Set quality and productivity targets in consultation with Chief Grants Management. Create processes to ensure the Contributions unit staff complete their work in a systematic and orderly way, and in compliance with UNICEF’s policies and directives.
Identify and inform the Chief Grants Management of any significant issues that impact the completion of the key deliverables.
Meet regularly with the team to ensure that work is progressing as planned and that issues are promptly resolved. Set realistic timescales for the completion of projects and ensure the availability of resources.
Review the work structures and processes, identify and implement opportunities for efficiency improvements, including in interrelation with other departments.
Prepare statutory, periodic and ad hoc management and information reports, concerning revenue, special accounts and accounts receivable.
Deliver accurate, complete, and timely statutory reports (i.e. Annual Report, EDAR, Quarterly Financial information and others)
Provide support and quality review of PPD prepared external reports (HAC report, EB Humanitarian report, Annual Results Reports).
Review reports prepared by Finance Specialists, Grants Management Unit before submission and provide support where needed.
Make recommendations to improve the format and usefulness of the reports.
Manages the year-end closure activities related to contributions, in collaboration with the Financial Reporting teams. Prepare year end schedules and correction of accounting entries related to e.g. Trust accounts, Contributions In Kind, Impairment, etc.
Manages the UN levy accounting and payment process.
Ad hoc reporting as required.
Ensure that potential issues with donor agreements are addressed:
For draft agreements, provide advice to PPD, DHR and Legal on complex issues and potential non-compliance with applicable rules, regulations, policies and directives and recommend solutions to the issues.
Exercise judgment as to the issues requiring escalation to Deputy Director or to Comptroller.
Provide guidance to the Finance Specialists on their review of potential issues in signed agreements and appropriate follow-up actions.
Carry out ad hoc assignments at the request of Chief Grants Management
Perform assignments at the request of the Chief Grants Management, which could include organizational-wide initiatives, support to regional/field offices, and follow-up and implementation of relevant audit recommendations
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…
Professional certification as Chartered Accountant (CA) or Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), and/or any other internationally recognized accounting designation is required. In addition, an advanced University Degree in Accounting, Business Administration, Financial Management, Economics, and/or any related field is highly desirable.
A minimum of eight (8) years of progressively responsible professional work experience at the international level in management, specifically in the area of finance and/or accounting. Accounting knowledge and experience is considered an asset.
Experience working with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), and/or International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) is highly desirable.
Knowledge of the UN system is highly desirable.
Experience in the non-profit sector or working internationally is desirable.
Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency is considered an asset.
Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) is considered an asset.
