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.
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For every child, Life ! Organizational Context UNICEF Niger country programme (CPD) 2023 – 2027 is aligned with Niger’s Economic and Social Development Plan (PDES) 2022-2026 priorities, the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) 2023-2027, UNICEF Strategic Plan 2022-2025 and UNICEF Gender Action Plan 2022-2025. The CPD 2023-2027 aims to ensure a coordinated and targeted response to the dynamic context and challenges facing women and children in Niger. The vision of the programme is that all girls and boys, from birth through adolescence, survive, thrive, learn, develop to their full potential, are protected from all forms of violence and exploitation, and thus support to positive social change in their communities and contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals. Implementation of this new UNICEF Strategic Plan, at country level requires that office is equipped with adequate staffing and systems to deliver the Organization’s mandate. Offices with significant and complex programmatic and operational risks and challenges require a dedicated position to support the Senior Managers in making sure that resources are continuously geared towards achieving results for children.
How can you make a difference? Purpose of the Job The Operations Specialist (Risk and Compliance) is responsible for a broad range of activities, including but not limited to: (i) strengthening accountabilities; (ii) Enforcing and strengthening internal controls systems; (iii) Promoting value for Money, effectiveness and efficiency; and (iv) Supporting the implementation of the UNICEF Anti-Fraud strategy. Key functions, accountabilities and related duties/tasks: 1. Strengthening accountabilities Review internal work process in Programme and Operations to make sure that accountabilities are clear and placed at the adequate level as per global policies and/or best practices. Periodically conduct a quality review of the table of authority to ensure compliance with the existing policies. Periodically test compliance with the Table of authority and adherence to the delegation of authorities in line with UNICEF policies and Procedures; and advise the management of the office on actions to be taken to enforce and strengthen accountabilities. 2. Enforcing and strengthening internal controls to ensure that systems are in place to prevent, detect and report non-compliance. Assess completeness, adequacy and compliance of work processes in Programme and operations. Establish a risk-based system to periodically and systematically review a sample of activities (Programme and Operations) to ensure they are carried out according to established work processes and in compliance with UNICEF policies and procedures. Establish a system to document and report weaknesses in internal control. Implement actions aimed at addressing internal controls gaps and building the capacity of responsible staff. Assist in the follow-up on the implementation of the internal/external audit recommendations and provides feedback on the status to the supervisor. Assist in the identification of operational and programmatic risks and weaknesses and make recommendation to mitigate them. Ensure the Annual Risk Assessment (ARA) Plan development, update, implementation and monitoring. 3. Promoting value for money, cost effectiveness and efficiency In reviewing work processes and enforcing internal controls, the incumbent should systematically identify opportunities for more efficiency and value for money; and establish a system to collect information on losses of resources (Cash, Assets, Supplies, etc.), report to the management of the office and advise on measures to be taken to minimize such losses. 4. Supporting implementation of an Anti-Fraud Strategy at the country office level. Operationalization of the upcoming global anti-fraud strategy at the CO level; Support the management of the office in collecting evidences to respond to OIAI’s queries when initially assessing allegations of wrongdoings or during actual investigations; and advise the management on lessons learned from investigations and measures to be taken accordingly. 5. Undertake specific tasks as advised by the Supervisor, with due consideration to the level of independence required for this position which shouldn’t be involved in the day-to day Programme and Operations activities. Impact of Results: The position will help the office to ensure that employees’ actions are in compliance with UNICEF regulations, Financial Rules and Regulations, Procurement regulations and other applicable laws and regulations. Significant programmatic and operational information are accurate, reliable, and timely. Risks are appropriately identified and managed. Resources are acquired economically, used efficiently, and adequately protected. Quality and continuous improvement are fostered in Niger CO control process.
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have… Education: An advanced university degree in Business Administration, Finance/Accounting, or Audit is required. Audit, Investigation or Accounting certifications are considered as assets. Experience: A minimum of five (5) years of continuous professional work experience in audit or another directly relevant area, several of which in internal audit. Experience in financial management, particularly developing and implementing financial control systems, audits, preferably with international organizations, NGOs and UN. Field experience /familiarity with Emergency. Language: Fluency in both French and English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, Russian or Spanish) 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…
(1) 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 here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.
We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.
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. UNICEF is committed to promoting the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will 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.
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 candidates from industrialized countries women are encouraged to apply.
Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.
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.