For every child, the right to a future
UNICEF’s Caribbean Mult-Country Office (MCO) serves twelve English- and Dutch-speaking Caribbean countries: Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago. As part of UNICEF's Future Focus Initiative, the Caribbean MCO brings together policy influence, technical expertise and strategic partnerships to advance results for children across the region through one integrated programme, one management structure and a shared pool of resources. The Multi-Country Programme 2027-2031 focuses on three shared outcomes: equitable access to primary health care, learning and skills; protection of children from all forms of violence; and child poverty reduction and resilience strengthening.
Children across the Caribbean face interconnected challenges including learning losses, mental health concerns, violence, child poverty and increasing exposure to climate-related disasters. Despite many countries being classified as upper-middle or high income, significant inequalities persist, particularly for vulnerable children, adolescents, indigenous communities and those living in remote areas. Small island developing states also face fiscal constraints and heightened vulnerability to economic and climate shocks, requiring stronger regional cooperation and system-based solutions.
The Caribbean MCO’s management strategy is governed by four principles that together translate the new business model into concrete ways of working:
How can you make a difference?
Under the supervision of the Deputy Representative (Operations), the Finance Officer supports finance activities and processes across the Caribbean MCO, contributing to sound financial management and compliance with financial policies and procedures, the safeguarding of UNICEF resources, and the delivery of timely, high-quality, client-oriented finance services that enable effective programme implementation across twelve programme countries. The post supervises one Finance Associate (G6), ensuring timely completion of assigned finance support activities and adherence to established procedures.
The incumbent provides technical support on finance and accounting matters, contributing to financial analysis and reporting to support financial planning, monitoring, treasury activities, donor reporting requirements, and regulatory compliance. The role supports accurate and transparent financial reporting, the strengthening of internal control systems, and compliance with UNICEF Financial Regulations and Rules, IPSAS standards, and corporate policies.
As a core first-line function within UNICEF's Three Lines Model, the Finance Officer assists in monitoring compliance with financial controls and identifying risks requiring management attention, and supports the integrity of financial transactions and reporting. The role supports the identification and monitoring of financial risks and contributes to fraud risk prevention and detection.
Working in close partnership with the Deputy Representative (Operations), the Programme Budget Officer, and the Risk and Compliance Officer, the Finance Officer facilitates the operation of finance, budgeting, risk management, and internal control functions as an integrated and mutually reinforcing governance system. Through this collaboration, the role contributes to risk-informed resource allocation, strengthens accountability, and supports evidence-based decision-making at both regional and country levels.
The position also supports process improvement initiatives and the implementation of new financial systems and tools, promoting efficiency, standardization, and digital optimization across the regional platform. At the same time, the Finance Officer helps strengthen technical capacity within the finance function, fosters a culture of integrity and compliance, and reinforces professional accountability and collaboration across programme and operations teams.
Through these contributions, the Finance Officer plays a critical role in enhancing organizational resilience, ensuring the efficient and transparent use of resources, and underpinning UNICEF’s ability to deliver sustainable and high-quality results for children across the Caribbean.
Main activities
- Financial Planning, Analysis and Business Support
- Accounting and Treasury Support
- Internal Controls and Financial Compliance
- Financial Risk Monitoring and Fraud Prevention Support
- Financial Systems and Process Improvement
- Knowledge Sharing and Stakeholder Support
Minimum requirements
A university degree in accounting, financial management or another related financial field is required. Supplemental formal financial/accounting training may be accepted if the university degree is not in a related financial field. Diploma qualification in CIPFA is acceptable in lieu of a relevant university degree, or its equivalent.
Work Experience
- At least 1 year of relevant work experience in financial management or auditing is required.
- Experience in an international organization and/or large corporation is an asset.
- Experience in database packages, web-based management systems and ERP systems, preferably SAP financial modules, is an asset
- Experience with IPSAS and/or IFRS is an asset.
Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office, especially Excel, is required.
Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset
Desirables:
- Relevant experience at country level, particularly in development, fragile settings and humanitarian contexts.
Eligibility Requirements
For every Child, you demonstrate...
The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…
(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
(8) Nurtures, leads and manages people
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 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 and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. 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
Remarks
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, candidates that meet all the requirements and are legally allowed to work in the respective DS 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.
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.
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.