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Associate National Project Officer (Budget & Finance)

OVERVIEW

Position Number: 6ZWADM0031PA

Grade: NO-B

Parent Sector: Sector For Administration and Management (ADM)

Duty Station: Harare

Job Family: Administration

Contract Type: Project Appointment

Duration of contract: 1 year

Recruitment open to: Internal and external candidates

Application deadline (Midnight Paris Time): 17/03/2026

 

UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism

Only Zimbabwean nationals are eligible to apply to this position

 

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

Under the overall authority of the Director of the Harare Regional Office, the direct supervision of the Senior Operations Officer of the Regional Office, the Associate Project Officer (Budget and Finance) will be responsible for providing a range of financial management and budget administration support services to the projects Our Rights, Our Lives, Our Future (O3) and O3 PLUS.  For matters of financial internal control, he/she receives delegated authority from the Chief Finance Officer as the certifying officer. He/she will receive policy guidance/ instructions from UNESCO’s Corporate Services and Programme Sector ADGs on their respective areas of responsibility. 

KEY ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Budget planning and budget preparation

 

  • In close coordination with the Senior Operations Officer, provide inputs for the budget preparation and review process.
  • Provide support to programme/project responsible officers in elaborating resource requirements for budget submissions.
  • Assist programme/project responsible officers in finalizing cost estimates and budget proposals.
  • Review and analyse project budgets based on donor agreements, in close coordination with the Senior Operations Officer, programme/project responsible officers, and donors.
  • Ensure donor agreement provisions are accurately translated into project budgets.
  • Ensure strict compliance with UNESCO’s rules, regulations, policies, and procedures and accounting standards, including IPSAS.
  • In close coordination with the Senior Operations Officer, liaise with BFM and BSP on matters of budget planning and budget preparation, and provide relevant information as requested.

Long Description

Budget monitoring

 

  • Ensure that the budget data under its coverage is adequately and timely entered in the appropriate management systems, and that budgetary transactions are in compliance with regulations, rules, policies, and procedures.
  • Ensure the sufficient and effective use of budgetary resources through robust monitoring of budget execution and timely provision of information to the Senior Operations Officer and the programme/project responsible officers.
  • Monitor and analyse project budgets based on progress made in implementation and take corrective action if required, in close coordination with the Senior Operations Officer, the programme/project responsible officers, and donors. 
  • Provide substantive advice and support to programme/project responsible officers in reviewing project budgets and propose revisions or corrective actions as necessary.
  • Process, validate, and follow up with Central Services on budget revisions.
  • Ensure that project closure actions are timely performed, in line with UNESCO’s rules, regulations, policies, and procedures, and project agreements’ provisions.

Financial Management

 

  • Act as Certifying Officer, ensuring that financial transactions are in compliance with regulations, rules, policies, and procedures.
  • Monitor commitments and payments, review and reconcile various clearing accounts, investigate erroneous/invalid entries and take appropriate corrective action, in line with UNESCO’s rules, regulations, policies and procedures.
  • Analyse complex or unusual accounting transactions and open items in the accounting system and implement corrective actions in consultation with the Senior Operations Officer as required, in line with UNESCO’s rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
  • Provide advice on financial interpretations to the programme/project responsible officers on UNESCO’s financial rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
  • Provide support to project/programme officers on donor reporting and liaise closely with Headquarters services to ensure donor reports are prepared in a timely manner in line with the terms of the funding agreements signed with donors. 

COMPETENCIES - Core (C) & Managerial (M)

  • Communication (C)
  • Accountability (C)
  • Innovation (C)
  • Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement (C)
  • Planning and organizing (C)
  • Results focus (C)
  • Teamwork (C)

Short Description

For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

  • Advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in the field of Finance, Business Administration, Accounting, or closely related field(s).

WORK EXPERIENCE

  • Minimum 2 years of relevant professional experience in administration, finance, accounting or related areas.

Long Description

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

  • Demonstrated analytical and organizational skills and ability to identify issues and formulate options/recommendations.
  • Capacity to lead and supervise teams and to oversee finance, general administration, and procurement functions. 
  • Experience in implementing internal control systems.
  • Ability to communicate effectively and persuasively and use tact and diplomacy.
  • Demonstrated experience in solving routine and non-routine Human Resources, finance, and budgeting issues.
  • Ability to provide quality and timely support and services.
  • Ability to work in a multicultural environment and to establish good working relationships with external and internal partners.
  • Ability to take initiative and seek innovative ways to improve results.
  • Good IT skills and knowledge of ERP, financial, human resources, and administrative management tools.

LANGUAGES

  • Excellent knowledge (written and spoken) of English.

 

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

  • Additional technical training in accounting/finance (CPA, ACCA, etc.), administration, or directly related fields.

WORK EXPERIENCE

  • Experience in international organizations or United Nations agencies.

BENEFITS AND ENTITLEMENTS

UNESCO’s salaries consist of a basic salary and other benefits which may include if applicable: 30 days annual leave, family allowance, medical insurance, pension plan etc. 

The approximate annual starting salary for this post is 49 862 USD

For full information on benefits and entitlements, please consult our Guide to Staff Benefits.

SELECTION AND HIRING PROCESS

Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application and provide complete and accurate information, by the above deadline.

To apply, please visit the UNESCO Careers website. No modifications can be made to the application once submitted. 

The process may include pre-recorded video interviews and/or written assessments, interviews with a Panel, as well as reference checks. In addition, candidates may be requested to provide additional information which may be pertinent to the position’s qualifications.  

Please note that all candidates, whether selected or not, will be informed of the outcome of their application in due course. 

Short-listed candidates may also be added to Talent Pools; subject to their consent (i.e. Data Privacy Statement).

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

  • UNESCO recalls that paramount consideration in the appointment of staff members shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, technical competence and integrity.
  • UNESCO applies to a zero-tolerance policy against all forms of harassment.
  • UNESCO is committed to achieving and sustaining equitable and diverse geographical distribution, as well as gender parity among its staff members in all categories and at all grades. Furthermore, UNESCO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Candidates from non- and under-represented Member States (last update here) are particularly welcome and strongly encouraged to apply.
  • lndividuals from minority groups and indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply.
  • All applications will be treated with the highest level of confidentiality.
  • Geographical mobility is required for staff members appointed to UNESCO’s international posts.
  • In the event that your candidature is retained for an interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. UNESCO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO. The list can be accessed through the link: https://www.whed.net
  • The statutory retirement age at UNESCO is 65 years.
  • UNESCO appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by the Organization, is required for International Professional positions.
  • UNESCO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.

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