Finance Associate (Funds Monitoring and Analysis), G-6, Fixed Term Position, Private Fund Raising and Partnerships, Rome, Italy, (Open to EU Citizens or Valid Italian Work Permit Holders)

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 for as long as we are needed. 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 professional and personal development that will help them reinforce a sense of purpose while serving children and communities across the world. We welcome everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

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

For every child, the right to a Chance

The Private Fundraising and Partnerships (PFP) Division is responsible for mobilizing financial resources and strategic partnerships to support UNICEF's global programmes and operations. Within PFP, the Budget and Analysis Unit (BAU) provides financial management, operational support and oversight for a range of financing mechanisms and facilitates timely and effective allocation of resources to Country Offices, National Committees and other implementing entities. These mechanisms include the Investment Fund (IF), Bridge Financing, Dynamo Funds, Innovation Funds and other corporate financing instruments that support resource mobilization and fundraising.

The Finance Associate is based within the Budget ad Analysis Unit (BAU) and under the Business Analyst (P-3) – Investments, who provides strategic oversight and coordination of the investment portfolio. The incumbent works closely with the Finance Manager (P-4), the Financial Reporting Unit (FRU), DFAM Treasury, Country Offices, Regional Offices, National Committees, PFP business units and other Headquarters stakeholders to ensure the accurate, timely and compliant execution of investment-related financial transactions, monitoring, reporting and financial operations. The position plays a key operational role in supporting the effective administration of PFP financing mechanisms and contributes to efficient financial management and informed decision-making across the organization.

How can you make a difference?

By ensuring the accurate, timely and compliant administration of PFP financing mechanisms, you will contribute to the effective management of investment resources that support UNICEF's fundraising and programme objectives. Through financial monitoring, reporting, reconciliation and stakeholder coordination, you will strengthen financial accountability and support informed decision-making across Headquarters, Country Offices and National Committees. Your operational excellence and client-focused support will help optimize the utilization of resources and enable the successful implementation of PFP's strategic priorities for children.

The Finance Associate provides specialized operational and technical support for the administration of PFP financing mechanisms, including Investment Funds, Bridge Financing, Dynamo Funds and other related financial instruments. The position supports the efficient execution of financial transactions, financial monitoring, reporting, reconciliations and treasury coordination to ensure the timely, accurate and compliant management of investment resources.

The incumbent is accountable for maintaining the integrity of financial data, supporting investment fund operations, ensuring compliance with UNICEF financial policies and procedures, and delivering high-quality operational support to Headquarters divisions, Country Offices, Regional Offices, National Committees and other stakeholders. Through effective financial administration and coordination, the position contributes to sound financial management, informed decision-making and the efficient implementation of PFP financing mechanisms.

1. Supports the administration and operational management of PFP financing mechanisms
2. Supports financial monitoring, reporting and analysis
3. Provides financial systems and accounting support
4. Coordinates treasury activities and stakeholder support
5. Ad-hoc support and assignments

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here:  JD - Finance Associate_G6.pdf

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

Minimum requirements:

• Education: Completion of Secondary education is required. Professional and/or university courses related to the field of work are highly desirable.
• Work Experience: A minimum of six years of practical work experience in finance, accounting, financial management, financial operations, budget management, or investment fund administration is required.
• Skills:
• Experience in processing and monitoring financial transactions using ERP systems (e.g. SAP, VISION or similar financial management systems).
• Experience in financial reconciliations, account analysis and maintaining accurate financial records.
• Experience in monitoring budgets, commitments, expenditures and fund utilization.
• Experience in preparing financial reports, reconciliations, management information and supporting financial analyses.
• Strong analytical skills with experience interpreting financial data, identifying discrepancies and supporting their resolution.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including data analysis, reporting and financial modelling.
• Experience coordinating with multiple stakeholders and providing operational finance support in a client-oriented environment.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities, work under pressure and meet tight deadlines while maintaining a high level of accuracy.
• Demonstrated knowledge of financial controls, internal procedures and compliance requirements.
• Language Requirements: Fluency in English is required.

Desirables:

• Language: Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.
• Experience supporting investment funds, or other financing mechanisms.
• Experience using Power BI or other business intelligence and reporting tools.
• Experience working with IPSAS or other international public sector accounting standards.
• Experience working within UNICEF, the United Nations system or another international organization.
• Knowledge of UNICEF financial policies, procedures and corporate systems.
• Relevant experience at country level, particularly in development, fragile settings and humanitarian contexts. 

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

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 promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.

UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance.

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 is committed to fostering an inclusive, representative, and welcoming workforce. For this position, eligible and suitable 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.

Humanitarian action is a cross-cutting priority within UNICEF's Strategic Plan. UNICEF is committed to stay and deliver in humanitarian contexts. Therefore, all staff, at all levels across all functional areas, can be called upon to be deployed to support humanitarian response, contributing to both strengthening resilience of communities and capacity of national authorities.

Visa residence requirements: i.e. UNICEF shall not facilitate the issuance of a visa and working authorization for candidates under consideration for positions at the national officer and general service category. 

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.