Finance Associate, G-6, Fixed Term Position, Geneva, Switzerland, Geneva Common Services, #00134826 (Open for citizens of Switzerland and valid work permit holders)

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.

Geneva is a UNICEF headquarters location situated at the heart of the international humanitarian, diplomatic, and multilateral community. In the context of UNICEF's Future Focus Initiative, the Geneva Common Services Centre (CSC) operates within a streamlined structure following the relocation of a number of positions and functions to other duty stations.  Despite its reduced footprint, the Geneva CSC continues to play an important role in providing common operational support services to UNICEF Divisions and Offices based across multiple locations in Geneva, in addition to supporting senior-level engagements involving UNICEF management, Member States and partners. 

Under the supervision and guidance of the Administrative and Finance Officer (P2), the Finance Associate supports the effective management of the CSC budget, payroll, Pcard, Master Data Management, banking relationship management and specific Geneva based needs for all UNICEF staff based in Geneva, while applying technical skills to ensure accuracy, compliance and timely service delivery of finance related transactions. Working with a high degree of operational independence, the Associate is accountable for the achievement of overall service delivery results to clients. The Associate provides operational back-up support for key administrative and finance activities to ensure continuity of service during absences of team members, Admin and Finance officer and Admin Assistant in CSC Geneva, within the scope of the post’s delegated responsibilities.

1. Support financial planning, monitoring and internal controls

• Monitor to ensure that internal controls are adequately applied in the office, identify exceptions and recommend corrective action to the supervisor. Responsible for a timely update of the Table of Authority. Maintain database with signed letters of acceptance of authority. Submit IRC (Identity and Role Control) requests for designation of roles for CSC Geneva team.
• Analyze CSC Geneva budget expenditures according to allotment and budget codes. Monitor the application of charge back costs mechanism against staff posted in Geneva and liaise with DFAM on corrections required.
• Monitor all open commitments and pre-commitments from CSC Rome budget and follow up on outstanding items.
• Reconcile Personal Advances and Recoveries; as well as the General Ledger accounts. Review transactions and alert supervisor on potential financial and reputational risks and act when necessary.
• Ensure timely preparation of monthly and year-end financial closure for CSC Geneva
• Contributes to the preparation and analysis of finance related background papers and analytical reports.

2. Payroll management

• Coordinate with UNICEF's Global Shared Service Centre (GSSC) and analyze monthly funding analysis reports and follow up with all Divisions represented in Geneva in case of budget or post-related issues. Prepare and reconcile payroll deductions for all staff in Geneva and respond to staff payroll-related queries.

3. Banking relationship management and sanction-sensitive transactions

• Perform monthly monitoring, replenishment and bank reconciliation for all UNICEF Geneva bank accounts. Follow up with DFAM and GSSC on bank reconciliation issues. Takes action to record deposits and rejected payments. Follows up on unapplied receipts to ensure prompt application.
• CHF Credit Card Administration: Coordinate use of CHF credit card for local or online purchases (if deemed it is still needed). This includes reconciliation and payment of monthly statements
• Monitor and update signatory panels for Geneva based accounts in coordination with DFAM and maintain effective relationships with banking counterparts.
• Manage the complex and lengthy end‑to‑end process of transferring funds to country offices in sanctioned jurisdictions
• Maintain relationships with representatives of local banks and keep up to date on changes in procedures, regulations and matters pertaining to maintenance of bank accounts.

4. Focal point for UNSMIS, ASHI, La Mutuelle and UNOG

• Serve as Global focal point for reconciliation, reporting and processing monthly payment to UNSMIS- Geneva based health insurance plan for UN staff.
• Serve as Global focal point for ASHI – After Service Health Insurance for UN staff with UNSMIS for reconciliation, reporting and processing monthly payment to ASHI.
• Serve as Global focal point for La Mutuelle – Geneva based loan entity for UN staff point for all queries from La Mutuelle and monthly reporting, reconciliation and payments, Liaise with GSSC colleagues upon separation of staff and repayment of loan. Maintain effective relationships and proactively communicate updates on changes to applicable rules and regulations to relevant staff.
• Coordinate the annual submission exercise to Swiss authorities for exceptional requests for VAT reimbursement for Geneva based staff including follow up and related correspondence (in French).
• Serve as the focal point for all UNOG financial related requests including detailed review of monthly UNOG charges for UNICEF related activities in Geneva; identifying payments, review of inter-agency invoices and transactions related to secondments and reimbursable loans.

5. HACT, Procurement cards and Master Data Management

• Examine direct cash transfer transactions (transfer, adjustments, reprogramming and liquidations) and support documents to ensure Funding Authorization and Certificate of Expenditure (FACE) form has been properly entered into system and aligns with request.
• Serve as Pcard focal point for issuance, certification and management of all Pcards for all entities in Geneva.
• Serve as MDM Local Focal Point Releaser for all entities in Geneva and ensures the required information and documentation for submitted requests are accurate, provide follow up on any issues and follows through until the case is completed by GSSC.

6. Knowledge management/Other duties and responsibilities

• Supports the process of feedback collection, analysis and distribution for all finance related transactional cases to ensure accurate and timely delivery of services in compliance with UNICEF rules and regulations.
• Monitors dashboard reports on a regular basis and coordinates efforts to ensure necessary action is taken in a timely manner in support of client Divisions. Regularly monitors and follows up on open items. Advises clients on the resolution of issues and facilitates timely communication of responses and solutions in support of effective client services and collaboration with Divisions with outposted staff in Geneva.
• Analyzes dashboards, implementation rates of key performance indicators and information/data from various systems and support in data analysis of bottlenecks and challenges, with a view to drive improvements and ensure efficient and effective operational processes and workflows for efficient service delivery.
• Provides operational continuity and back-up support during peak periods or staff absences.
• Perform other operational technical support and duties as needed.

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here: JD - Finance Associate_G6_00134826.pdf

Minimum requirements:

• Education: Completion of secondary education is required. 
• Work Experience:
  • A minimum of six (6) years of progressively responsible experience in general accounting, finance, budget administration, payroll, banking operations, business administration is required.
  • Experience in financial analysis, account reconciliation, internal controls and resolution of complex financial transactions, is required.
  • In-depth knowledge of the concepts relevant to the area of work, including rules and regulations is required.
  • Ability to consistently apply relevant policies, procedures and good practices in the daily work is required.
  • Proven experience in handling complex financial cases, exercising sound judgement and communicating issues and recommendations in clear and concise manner is required
• Skills: Demonstrated experience in working with diverse stakeholders and ability to develop and maintain effective working relations with them is required. Experience using Microsoft Excel spreadsheets, standard office collaboration and presentation tools (SharePoint and PowerPoint, etc.) is required. Experience using ERP systems is required, in particular SAP.
• Language Requirements: Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of French is highly desirable given the Geneva operating environment.

• Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.
• A university degree in Accounting, Finance or Business Administration is an asset.
• A professional qualification (i.e. CPA, ACA, ACCA, CIMA etc.) from a professional Accounting body is highly desirable.
• Experience and in-depth knowledge of UNICEF finance-related modules, including budget, invoicing, MDM and Pcard modules is an asset.
• Experience in working in a multicultural environment is an asset.
• Relevant experience at country level, particularly in development, fragile settings and humanitarian contexts. 

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

(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, discrimination, fraud, corruption and other forms of serious misconduct. UNICEF is committed to promoting the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference, safeguarding and background verification checks. These checks may include verification of academic credentials and employment history, screening against relevant United Nations misconduct databases, and requests for misconduct disclosures from current and former employers, professional associations, other relevant organizations and participating organizations under inter-agency safeguarding initiatives, including the Misconduct Disclosure Scheme (MDS), where applicable. Appointment, selection and continued engagement are subject to the satisfactory completion of all required checks. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information and consent to enable UNICEF to undertake these checks. 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.

General Service Staff are recruited locally. Candidates must be in possession of an existing work permit or be a resident/citizen of Switzerland and/or a commuting area to be considered eligible for this position.

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.

Advertised: 08 Oct 2026 W. Europe Daylight Time
Applications close: 14 Oct 2026 W. Europe Daylight Time

Back to search results Apply now Refer a friend