Finance Assistant, G-5, Fixed Term Position, Florence, Italy, Office of Strategy

Finance Assistant, G-5, Fixed Term Position, Florence, Italy, Office of Strategy & Evidence -Innocenti, #00138325 (Open to EU Citizens or Valid Italian Work Permit Holders)

UNICEF - United Nations Children’s Fund Florence National GS-5, General Service - No need for Higher Education - Locally recruited position level Speaks English, Italian

Use your finance expertise to help UNICEF deliver better outcomes for children worldwide. Join the Office of Strategy and Evidence and play a key role in financial operations, budgeting, analysis, and compliance while supporting globally recognized research, innovation, and evidence generation. This role offers meaningful impact, professional growth, and the opportunity to work in a collaborative international environment committed to making a difference for every child

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.

For every child, the right to a Future

Use your finance expertise to help UNICEF deliver better outcomes for children worldwide. Join the Office of Strategy and Evidence and play a key role in financial operations, budgeting, analysis, and compliance while supporting globally recognized research, innovation, and evidence generation. This role offers meaningful impact, professional growth, and the opportunity to work in a collaborative international environment committed to making a difference for every child

This is a hands-on operational finance role that combines transaction processing, budget monitoring, financial controls, reporting, and client support to ensure the smooth financial management of UNICEF Innocenti’s activities in Florence.

Key responsibilities include

1. Processes financial transactions

• Reviews and processes invoices, payments, travel claims, advances, and other financial transactions.
• Uses SAP and UNICEF corporate systems to ensure transactions are recorded correctly and on time.
• Verifies supporting documentation and follows up on issues.

2. Monitors budgets and expenditures

• Tracks spending against budgets and grants.
• Reviews commitments and outstanding balances.
• Supports budget planning and provides financial information to help managers make decisions.

3. Maintains financial controls and compliance

• Performs reconciliations and maintains financial records.
• Supports month-end and year-end closure activities.
• Helps ensure compliance with UNICEF financial policies, procedures, and audit requirements.

4. Provides financial support to colleagues

• Responds to finance-related queries from programme and operations staff.
• Advises colleagues on processes, documentation requirements, and financial procedures.
• Helps resolve payment and transaction issues.

5. Produces reports and analysis

• Prepares recurring and ad hoc financial reports.
• Analyses financial data and identifies discrepancies or areas requiring corrective action.
• Supports audits and management reporting.

6. Supports process improvement

• Develops SOPs, guidance notes, and job aids.
• Contributes to efficiency improvements and knowledge-sharing initiatives.
• Uses digital tools, including AI-enabled tools, to improve operational effectiveness.

To qualify as a champion for every child you will have…

• Education: Completion of Secondary Education is required.
• Work Experience: Minimum five years of clerical experience in finance and accounting is required.
• Skills: The successful candidate will demonstrate strong project management, collaboration, and problem-solving skills, along with confidence in using digital tools and adapting to new technologies. Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Suite products (MS Excel, MS Word, PowerPoint) is required.
• Language Requirements: Proficiency in English and Italian is required.
• Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) is an asset.<