Budget & Finance Specialist

Provides financial leadership for UNICEF Malawi’s Country Programme, overseeing planning, budgeting, accounting, treasury, cash management, internal controls and donor compliance. The role manages funds, grants and financial reporting; advises management and programme teams; supervises finance personnel; and strengthens accountability, risk management and operational efficiency through improved systems, processes and capacity.

• Lead financial planning and budget oversight for the country programme
• Manage accounting, treasury and cash-management activities
• Allocate and monitor funds, grants and expenditures
• Ensure compliance with UNICEF regulations, IPSAS, HACT procedures and donor requirements
• Produce accurate financial reporting and strategic advice for management and programme teams
• Supervise and lead finance and budget personnel
• Strengthen internal controls, financial risk management and accountability
• Coach staff and partners on ethical resource management and best practice

• Master's degree in accounting, finance, business administration, project management, financial economics, auditing or a related field
• Five years of relevant work experience in financial management, accounting and auditing
• Experience working with banks or insurance companies
• Experience managing financial resources in volatile macroeconomic and foreign-exchange environments
• Experience operating in high fraud and corruption risk contexts
• Experience supporting emergency preparedness and response
• Advanced Microsoft Office skills, especially Excel
• Fluency in English

• Experience negotiating with banks, service providers, implementing partners and programme teams
• Experience in the UN system, an international organisation, international NGO or comparable multicultural development or humanitarian setting
• Experience applying IPSAS or IFRS in financial management, accounting, reporting or audit functions
• Experience with ERP systems, web-based management systems, database packages or financial and budget modules
• Experience building cross-functional teams and coaching staff or partners

• Financial Planning
• Budget Management
• Grant Management
• Donor Reporting
• Treasury Management
• Cash Management
• Financial Compliance
• Risk Management
• Financial Reporting
• Internal Controls
• Accounting Operations
• Financial Data Analysis

• Microsoft Office
• Excel
• COSO Framework
• SAP
• ERP Systems