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 Care

How can you make a difference?

As Ukraine enters its fourth year of the escalation of the full-scale war, the humanitarian and child rights catastrophe continue. The war resulted in death, injuries, and mass displacement of people from the south and eastern parts of Ukraine to the west and to neighboring countries, as well as severe destruction and damage to homes and civilian infrastructure, including essential services for children such as schools, kindergartens, youth centers, integrated social services, water and sanitation and health facilities.

While there is still an urgent need to respond to the vast humanitarian needs in frontline areas, it is also critical to pivot to recovery priorities, to build back better and ensure that children are at the center of the recovery agenda.

UNICEF is engaging actively with government partners, Civil Society Organizations and the Sectoral Working Groups on the National Recovery Plan to ensure that children and youth have improved health, learning and protection outcomes in healthy and safe physical, family and community environments and that systems, policies and communities are built back better to ensure the rights and well-being of every child.

UNICEF Ukraine

Join UNICEF Ukraine

Purpose of the job: The Quality Assurance Specialist provides independent, high level assurance, advisory, and quality oversight across UNICEF Ukraine’s programme and operations functions. Working under the Risk & Compliance Manager, the Specialist ensures the effectiveness of internal controls, the integrity of data and processes, and the consistent application of UNICEF policies and regulatory frameworks. The role strengthens accountability, governance, and operational excellence, helping the Country Office operate efficiently, ethically, and in line with global standards.

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

Quality Assurance & Internal Control Strengthening
Advisory, Risk Management & Assurance Support
Awareness and capacity building of staff for effectiveness and efficiency
Fraud Risk Management, Ethics & Integrity

1. Quality Assurance & Internal Control Strengthening

Lead the design and implementation of the annual Quality Assurance Plan, prioritizing high‑risk areas across programme and operations.
Conduct in‑depth quality reviews, spot checks, compliance assessments, process walk‑throughs, and control testing across procurement, finance, HR, supply chain, administration, ICT, and programme operations.
Support the Identification of control gaps, inefficiencies, and emerging risks; propose and follow up on corrective and preventive actions.
Conduct data‑integrity reviews on VISION/SAP transactions, donor reports, performance monitoring data, and management dashboards.
Partner with programme and operations teams to embed quality‑at‑source practices and reduce recurring errors.
Review documentation and transactions for completeness, accuracy, and compliance with UNICEF policies and procedures.
Support the assessment of internal work processes to ensure clarity of accountabilities and alignment with global policies and best practices.
Periodically test compliance with the Table of Authority and adherence to delegated authorities.
Lead HACT financial assurance activities conducted by UNICEF staff.

2. Advisory, Risk Management & Assurance Support

Analyze country office workflows and recommend process redesigns to enhance efficiency, effectiveness, and compliance.
Support the formulation of actionable recommendations to strengthen and reinforce accountabilities across programme and operations.
Advise chiefs, section heads, and field offices on risk‑sensitive operational decisions.
Provide technical support for HACT implementation in line with organizational policies, including the HACT Policy, Procedures, and DFAM Policy 5 – Cash Disbursements (Supplement 3: Cash Transfers).
Provide Quality Assurance support during emergency response scale‑up, ensuring fast processes while maintaining compliance across procurement, distribution verification, cash transfers, stock management, and staff deployment.
Advise management on systemic noncompliance issues and emerging compliance trends.
Support internal and external audits, donor verifications, operational spot checks, and HQ/RO assurance exercises.
Support the analysis of the cause and effect of policy changes on the office’s operations, anticipate impacts, and advise on new ways of doing business.

3. Awareness and capacity building of staff for effectiveness and efficiency

Deliver tailored trainings to staff and partners on internal controls, compliance requirements, data integrity, and quality standards.
Develop and disseminate workflows, guidance notes, templates, and job aids to institutionalize best practices and support consistent implementation.
Promote a culture of accountability, ethics, transparency, and continuous improvement across the office.
Facilitate onboarding and refresher sessions to ensure new and existing staff are equipped with up‑to‑date knowledge on policies, procedures, and operational expectations.

4. Fraud Risk Management, Ethics & Integrity

Contribute to the operationalization of the global Anti‑Fraud Strategy at the country office level.
Support evidence collection to respond to OIAI queries during the initial assessment of allegations or ongoing investigations.
Identify lessons learned from investigations and recommend preventive or corrective measures.
Support the Risk & Compliance Manager in delivering fraud‑risk training and orientations to partners and suppliers.
Support the identification of red flags, conflict‑of‑interest situations, financial irregularities, and misconduct risks, ensuring timely escalation.
Promote adherence to UNICEF’s Ethics, PSEA, Child Safeguarding, Anti‑Fraud/Corruption, and Data Protection policies.

5. Undertake specific tasks as advised by the Supervisor, with due consideration to the level of technical expertise required for this position which shouldn’t be involved in the day-to day Programme and Operations activities.

Impact of Results:

The incumbent will contribute on the recommendation of the appropriate application and interpretation of rules, regulations, policies and procedures, as well as on work priorities, which affect the efficient programme delivery. This post will assist directly the Operations Manager carrying all quality assurance functions in the CO and FOs and work closely with the Implementing Partnership Specialist and in all HACT related activities

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here: Download File UKR26020 _ Classified JD _ Quality Assurance Specialist P3.doc

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

Minimum requirements:

Education: An advanced university degree in Business Administration, Finance, Operations, Management, Accounting, Statistics, Financial Management, Strategic Management, Risk Management, Audit, Investigation, Internal Control and any other related fields. A Bachelor or equivalent (First Level University Degree) in a relevant area combined with 2 additional years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.
Work Experience: At least 5 (five) years of continuous professional work experience in Risk and Compliance, operations management, or another directly relevant area. Experience in financial management, particularly developing and implementing financial control systems, ERM, audits, internal control preferably with international organizations, NGOs and UN.
Skills: financial managemnet, financial control systems, internal control, international organizations.
Language Requirements: Fluency in English is required.

Desirables:

Language: Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language
Statistics and Data Analysis or Accounting certifications are considered as assets.
Relevant experience at country level, particularly in development, fragile settings and humanitarian contexts.

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

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

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 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, eligible and suitable candidates with disabilities and women 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.

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

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.

This position is based in Kyiv and the incumbent will be expected be work on-site. However, depending on the security conditions and advisory, s/he will be required to relocate within Ukraine.

Quality Assurance Specialist, P-3, Fixed Term Position, Kyiv, Ukraine, post#00137819