Finance Officer, NO-1, Fixed Term Position, Lilongwe, Malawi, #00137624 (Open to Malawian Nationals Only)

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 Voice

How can you make a difference?

As the Finance Officer, reporting to the Budget & Finance Specialist, you will support effective stewardship of organisational resources by providing quality financial management, accounting, treasury, and compliance services that enable efficient programme delivery and operational excellence. You will contribute to financial planning, budgeting, monitoring, reporting, and risk management activities while ensuring compliance with organisational policies, financial regulations, procedures, and International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS). Key responsibilities include supporting budget preparation and implementation, monitoring expenditures, analysing financial
performance, processing financial transactions, maintaining accurate accounting records, reconciling accounts, and contributing to period-end
closure activities. You will review financial reports and implementing partner transactions, identify exceptions and risks, strengthen internal controls, and recommend corrective actions as required. The role also involves supporting cash and treasury management through cash forecasting, bank account monitoring, and ensuring the availability of funds for programme and operational activities. In addition, you will contribute to donor and statutory reporting requirements, support audit exercises and oversight reviews, promote ethical financial practices, and facilitate knowledge sharing and capacity-building initiatives. Through these functions, you will help ensure accountability, transparency, and the effective use of resources in support of organisational objectives and sustainable programme results.

UNICEF Malawi is seeking a Finance Officer to strengthen financial planning, controls, treasury and capacity building to safeguard resources and deliver results for children.

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here:  Finance Officer Level 1 (2).pdf

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

Minimum requirements

• Education: Bachelor or equivalent (First Level University Degree) in Accounting, Business Administration, Economics, finance, auditing, public administration and any other related fields.
• Work Experience: 1 years of relevant work experience in Audit and Investigation, Financial Management. Financial planning and budget analysis for programme and operational implementation. Control of accounts, payment processing, journal entries, reconciliation, accounts closure and financial reporting. Treasury and cash management, including bank and cash account monitoring, cash forecasting and follow-up with GSSC. Risk review, compliance monitoring, audit support, and follow-up on financial observations and recommendations. Knowledge sharing, process improvement and capacity building for staff, stakeholders and partners. 
• Skills: Strong knowledge of financial management, accounting, budgeting, reporting, reconciliations, and transaction processing. Proven ability to analyse financial data, monitor budgets, identify anomalies, resolve discrepancies, and prepare exception reports. Sound understanding of IPSAS, financial regulations, internal controls, accountability frameworks, and audit requirements. Strong communication, stakeholder engagement, and client-service skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across functions and external partners. Excellent planning, problem-solving, and organizational skills, with commitment to ethics, continuous learning, and process improvement.
• Language Requirements: Fluency in English is required.

Desirables

• Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset. 
• Experience working with UNICEF, UN agencies, international organizations, or other public-sector finance environments.
• Experience with database packages, web-based management systems and ERP systems, preferably SAP financial modules, is an asset.
• Familiarity with IPSAS-based accounting principles, donor funding management, and financial compliance requirements.
• Knowledge of ERP systems (SAP), financial management applications, Microsoft Excel, and digital tools for data analytics
• Knowledge of another local language of the duty station, e.g., Chichewa, Chiyao, Chitumbuka) is considered an asset.
• 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 are conditional on the selected candidates willingness to comply with current or future vaccination requirements, should UNICEF mandate it for personnel. Failure to comply with such requirements, where applicable and without a duly approved medical exemption from the relevant UN authority, will result in the cancellation of the selection or may lead to other administrative measures, including separation from service.

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.