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Job Title:   Programme Specialist (Quality Assurance) (UN Jobs)

Organisation: United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)

Duty Station:  Kampala, Uganda

Grade: NO-3

About Organisation:

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) is mandated by the UN general assembly to advocate for the protection of children’s rights, to help meet their basic needs and expand their opportunities to reach their full potential. Together with our partners, we work in 190 countries and territories to translate that commitment into practical action, focusing special effort on reaching the most vulnerable and excluded children, to the benefit of all children, everywhere.

Job Summary:  Under the general guidance of the Deputy Representative – Operations, the incumbent will be responsible for the overall understanding, analysis and review of systems, risks, application of policies and procedures and the capacity building of staff as well as counterparts within the area of internal control.  These will in turn contribute to Uganda Office accomplishing its objectives by bringing a systematic, disciplined approach to evaluating and improving the effectiveness of its Internal Control procedures. The Quality Assurance Specialist will lead in aspects on Enterprise Risk Management, due diligence reviews, audits and spot checks to promote efficiency, reduce risks of asset loss, and help ensure the reliability of financial statements. The Programme Specialist (Quality Assurance) Job Profile is used in Uganda Country Office which has significant and complex programmatic and operational risks and challenges which require a dedicated position to support the Senior Managers in making sure that resources are continuously, effectively and efficiently geared towards achieving results for children.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• Support Country Office Management in development and roll out of Office Accountability Framework based on UNICEF Accountability Framework.
• Responsible for office processes to proactively and systematically identify, assess and manage key risks and opportunities to facilitate the achievement of CO objectives and planned results. Responsible for process leading to office undertaking annual risk and control self-assessment (RCSA) as part of the annual review process, reports on the outcomes and propose mitigating activities. Regularly monitor the status of actions defined to mitigate significant risks and update the Office Risk Profile.
• Focal point in updating and ensuring quality Risk assessment and management information is updated under the Performance Management System.
• Implement activities that create general awareness and common understanding among staff of key strategic, programmatic, operational and financial risks. Ensure there is general sense of ownership and that risk management efforts are embedded into key country programme planning, financing and implementation processes, allowing for an adequate and timely allocation of financial, operational and programmatic resources for that purpose.
• Under the framework of UNICEF Policies, Guidelines, Standards, Country Office Management Plan, contribute to the development of office standards, new approaches and methodologies and streamlining of transaction Work Processes and Simplified Operating Procedures (SOPs) through participation in Internal Control meetings and consultations with staff. Perform compliance tests and report on the implementation of SOPs and Work Processes.
• Within the framework of HACT, responsible for the formulation and implementation of Uganda office HACT Assurance plan which provides for a cost-effective assurance systems to ensure funds entrusted to UNICEF by donors are utilized as intended; there is transparent processes and oversight of cash transfers and capacities of national partners is strengthened for the management and accountability of cash transferred. The incumbent will contribute to the HACT activities of the country office; leads in carrying out of high quality and objective Micro Assessments of UNICEF’s Implementing Partners, spot checks, regular audits, in accordance with the agreed work plan and/or as required by the country programme, review and follow up of the findings of assessments. Contribute towards upgrading capacity of UNICEF staff and implementing partners in the areas of HACT. Ensure the development of HACT compliant procedures, manual and guidelines for use by implementing partners.
• Provide Leadership in the planning and the implementation of capacity building activities of national implementing partners to improve budgeting and financial management capacities of implementing partners. Ensure that inventory of training and capacity development needs of implementing partners is developed. Plan and organize training programmes in the areas of budgeting and financial management for the purpose of capacity building and programme sustainability.
• Conduct periodic self-assessment of procedures and processes, financial documents, information entered in VISION database, coding of VISION transactions to ensure the office’s adherence to procedures, that quality information, and correct coding is applied. Coordinate Operations Inputs to office wide activities. This will entail consolidation of operations inputs, support in monitoring operations priorities. The task shall entail ensuring that high quality documentation is delivered for all resulting documents with UNICEF and office wide standards having been met.
• Conducts special assignments, including fact-findings in the case of irregularities, as directed by the country office management and in compliance with the organizational policies and procedures. Formulates pragmatic recommendations and secures the agreement of management to improve problematic areas. Monitors and assesses adequacy of actions taken to correct reported deficiencies.
• Support in coordination of internal and external audit of UNICEF Uganda Country Office. Is responsible for making sure that recommendations are tracked, actioned and closed timely, based on action plan.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

• The applicant for the UNICEF Programme Specialist (Quality Assurance) job must hold an advanced university degree (Master’s) in Accounting, Business Administration, Financial Management, Economics, International Development or a directly related technical field(s) is required. A valid professional certification (CA; CPA; etc.) from an accredited chartered accountancy institution, in conjunction with a relevant first-level (Bachelor’s) university degree in a directly related technical field (as identified above), may be taken in lieu of an advanced university degree.
• At least 5 years of relevant work experience in Operations Management, Financial Management, Audit Management, Risk Management and/or Programme Management – with hands on experience in planning, undertaking and reporting on financial management assurance activities related to HACT and/or similar grant management oversight systems used by donor and funding agencies.
• Language Requirements: Fluency in English is required.

UNICEF’s Core Values: 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

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

Desirables:

• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency.
• Previous experience in training professionals in the context of HACT.
• Knowledge of International Public Sector Accounting Standards.

NB: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

How to Apply:

All suitably qualified and interested applicants who wish to join United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) should apply online at the link below

Click Here

Deadline: 14th June 2024

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