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, results

UNICEF's Global Shared Services Centre (GSSC) in Budapest, Hungary provides services to UNICEF offices globally in the areas of Finance, Human Resources, Payroll and Information Technology. For more information about GSSC please visit our webpage at Global Shared Services Centre (GSSC) and check this YouTube video.

How can you make a difference? 

The Senior Quality Assurance Associate in the Business Performance and Modernization Team is responsible for strengthening the quality of processes within the GSSC, to ensure that services are performed efficiently, continuous quality improvement is in place, and processes are in compliance with UNICEF policies, procedures and internal standard operation procedures (SOPs). 

As part of the quality assurance role, the incumbent will run quality checks and issue reports on data and process quality based on data analysis and will design and manage quality deep dives on specific risky areas, monitor processes, follow up on suspicious transactions and raise awareness of potential risk of fraud. 

This post is a Temporary Appointment for 364 days.

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:  

Quality Reviews

• Conduct risk-based QA on GSSC processes to identify control gaps, non-compliance with SOPs, and policy deviations.
• Produce monthly analytical & compliance reports with concise findings, severity, and actionable recommendations.
• Test key controls periodically; document evidence and sign-offs in the approved repository.

Data Analytics & Detective Controls

• Use data analytics for trend and root-cause analysis; flag anomalies for follow-up.
• Prepare detective control reports and coordinate with work-stream owners on agreed actions and target dates.
• Provide practical recommendations to strengthen preventive and detective controls.

Continuous Improvement & Governance

• Provide recommendations/suggestions on process/system enhancements from a controls and quality perspective.
• Maintain complete, well-referenced working papers for future reference.
• Partner with stream focal points to track remediation through to closure.
• Participate in GSSC projects/initiatives as needed.
• Lead Quality Assurance initiatives as assigned.
• Perform any other ad hoc tasks that may be assigned.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

Minimum requirements:

• Education: Completion of secondary education (high school diploma) is a minimum requirement.
• Work Experience: At least seven (7) years of relevant work experience is required. A completed university degree in Accounting and/or Finance or other related relevant field from an accredited institution will be counted towards the minimum work experience requirement. Minimum four (4) years of relevant experience is required for candidates holding bachelor’s degree in relevant fields. A relevant master’s degree may replace additional two (2) years.
• Skills: Strong analytical, data extraction/cleaning, and reporting skills; familiarity with data-analytics tools are expected.
• Language Requirements: Fluency in English verbal and written) is required.

Desirables:

• Knowledge of Master Data Management and/or Travel processes.
• Shared service experience and work experience with a development organization are an asset.
• Strong VISION (SAP) skills, especially reporting.
• Experience in compliance/audit/assurance/risk analysis.
• Experience in planning and executing assurance/compliance work.
• Relevant certifications (internal audit, IS audit, fraud risk, quality).
• Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).
• Initiative, independent, strong interpersonal skills, and professional skepticism.
• Relevant experience at country level, particularly in development, fragile settings and humanitarian contexts. 

As an advocate for every child, you will receive…

You will receive a competitive salary, which will be exempted from national income taxes in Hungary as well benefits and entitlements, which you check on this link.

Applicants must be nationals of Hungary or other EU/Schengen country OR in the possession of a valid long-term Hungarian residency and work permit. Temporary and/or sponsored visas are not accepted.

UNICEF GSSC does not facilitate MFA accreditation for locally recruited staff, applicants must be holders of acceptable permits already at the time of application. Please attach a copy of your work permit (if applicable). UNICEF shall not accept responsibility or liability to act as a sponsor or to otherwise facilitate the issuance, maintenance, renewal, extension, or conversion of the candidate's residency and/or work permit for employment purposes.

Remarks: Requirement for internal applicants 

Internal FT or continuing staff from GSSC are required to complete the GSSC Learning Path corresponding to their current level before applying for another position. Additionally, they must attach to their application a screenshot from Agora, clearly demonstrating completion of the learning path. Internal applicants that do not comply with these requirements will not be considered. For further details on learning paths, please visit the Learning and Development portal

For every Child, you demonstrate...

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

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 

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 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 may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.

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.

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.

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.