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Future global centre will host over 200-member team 

The Government of Hungary and Unicef announced today that they have agreed in principle to establish Unicef’s first-ever Global Shared Services Centre in Budapest.  The new centre will conduct a broad range of Unicef’s financial and human resources operations worldwide, enabling the children’s organization to realize greater efficiencies and cost savings. 

“Hungary is truly honoured to host the Global Shared Service Centre of one of UN’s most important organisations,” said Dr. István Mikola, State Secretary for Security Policy and International Cooperation of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary. “The Hungarian Government is committed to the noble goals of the Unicef and echoes the importance of the protection of children to guarantee children's rights and ensure healthy living standards. Unicef’s decision reflects the strong cooperation between Hungary and Unicef and our shared efforts to protect children and families.”   

“Every dollar Unicef can save is another dollar we can use to improve children’s lives,” said Unicef Executive Director Anthony Lake. “The more efficient we are, the more effective our programmes will be for children. We are looking forward to working closely with the government of Hungary to bring the centre on line as soon as possible.” 

Key factors in Unicef’s decision to locate in Hungary included a relatively low cost of doing business, highly-qualified workforce and robust infrastructure. Two other United Nations organisations – the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the United Nations Foods and Agricultural Organisation – also operate Global Shared Services Centres in Budapest.  

The Global Shared Services Centre will serve the entire organization, employing 200 staff and operating in multiple languages. It will deliver a range of administrative services to all Unicef offices, including payments and invoice processing, payroll, some human resources functions, and the Information Technology helpdesk. 

Notes for editors: 

For more information, please contact the Unicef UK press office on 020 7375 6030 or media@unicef.org.uk 

About Unicef

Unicef is the world’s leading organisation for children, promoting the rights and wellbeing of every child, in everything we do. Together with our partners, we work in 190 countries and territories to translate that commitment into practical action, focusing special effort on reaching the most vulnerable and excluded children, to the benefit of all children, everywhere.  

Unicef UK raises funds to protect children in danger, transform their lives and build a safer world for tomorrow’s children.  As a registered charity we raise funds through donations from individuals, organisations and companies and we lobby and campaign to keep children safe. Unicef UK also runs programmes in schools, hospitals and with local authorities in the UK. For more information please visit unicef.org.uk