UNICEF is mandated by the United Nations General Assembly to advocate for the protection of children's rights, to help meet their basic needs and to expand their opportunities to reach their full potential.

Context

UNICEF adopted the 2014 revised UNDG Harmonized Approach to Cash Transfers (HACT) as a tool to ensure that funds transferred to partners are utilized as intended. Under the supervision and guidance of the Programme Specialist (Quality Assurance), the Programme Associate UNV (Quality Assurance) will support the Quality assurance unit by carrying out a range of quality assurance functions to help develop, implement and monitor their country programme, ensuring effective and timely delivery that is consistent with UNICEF rules and regulations. The Programme Associate UNV works in close collaboration and supervision of the Programme Specialist in assisting with 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.

Task description

Under the supervision of the the Programme Specialist, Quality Assurance, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks: • Support in the implementation of Uganda office HACT Assurance plan which provides for a cost-effective assurance system 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. • Regular monitoring of the status of actions defined to mitigate significant risks and update the Office Risk Profile and support the specialist in managing key risks and opportunities to facilitate the achievement of CO objectives and planned results. • Support 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. • Share with implementing partners and CO staff HACT related reports, especially reports of assurance activities, to ensure adequate awareness and follow-up of identified issues. • Participate in the review of assurance activity reports of implementing partners for quality check and the review’s recording in the e-tools. • Coordinate with external service providers for the finalization of assurance activities reports, including based on UNICEF feedback. • Performance of compliance tests and report on the implementation of SOPs and Work Processes. • Create general awareness and common understanding among staff of key strategic, programmatic, operational and financial risks. • Manage e-Tools and support colleagues in updating information on e-Tools on partners and HACT assurance status tasks e.g. monitoring progress of Micro assessments, Financial Spot Checks and Financial Audit dashboards, follow up actions among others. • Perform assigned quality assurance administrative activities e.g. procurement, finance, travel activities among others.

• Support in the implementation of Uganda office HACT Assurance plan which provides for a cost-effective assurance system 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.
• Regular monitoring of the status of actions defined to mitigate significant risks and update the Office Risk Profile and support the specialist in managing key risks and opportunities to facilitate the achievement of CO objectives and planned results.
• Support 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.
• Share with implementing partners and CO staff HACT related reports, especially reports of assurance activities, to ensure adequate awareness and follow-up of identified issues.
• Participate in the review of assurance activity reports of implementing partners for quality check and the review’s recording in the e-tools.
• Coordinate with external service providers for the finalization of assurance activities reports, including based on UNICEF feedback.
• Performance of compliance tests and report on the implementation of SOPs and Work Processes.
• Create general awareness and common understanding among staff of key strategic, programmatic, operational and financial risks.
• Manage e-Tools and support colleagues in updating information on e-Tools on partners and HACT assurance status tasks e.g. monitoring progress of Micro assessments, Financial Spot Checks and Financial Audit dashboards, follow up actions among others.
• Perform assigned quality assurance administrative activities e.g. procurement, finance, travel activities among others.

• 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
• Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills
• Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing
• Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development
• Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel
• Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Word, among others), email, and internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment
• Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines
• Sound security awareness
• Have affinity with or interest in children, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN system

• Bachelor's degree in A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s) in a relevant technical field such as finance, audit, business administration or any other degree aligned with the role
• A valid professional certification such as ACCA, CPA, or an equivalent credential is an added advantage