National Professional Officer (Finance)

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The length of appointment for internal FAO candidates will be established in accordance with applicable policies pertaining to the extension of appointments

• FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and culture
• Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented member nations and person with disabilities are encouraged to apply
• Everyone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct, and to uphold our values. FAO has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and FAO, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination.
• All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
• All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality
• The incumbent may be re-assigned to different activities and/or duty stations depending on the evolving needs of the Organization.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through the FAO Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind.

Organizational Setting

The Shared Services Centre (SSC) recommends and administers process management and procedures that need to be executed effectively; ensures the management of quality assurance activities associated with the transactional processes and implementation of service delivery; continuously improves the satisfaction of its customers, internal or external, while pursuing a continuous improvement agenda that will drive up service excellence while driving down the costs of service delivery through process standardization, process automation and self-service capabilities.

This position is located in the FAO Shared Services Centre and based in Budapest, Hungary.

Reporting Lines

The National Professional Officer (Finance) reports to the SSC Finance Officer, Head of Finance Unit.

Technical Focus

Financial management.

Key Results

Effective and efficient provision of administrative support in the area of finance.

Key Functions

• Manages financial related operations including accounts payable, assets, bank reconciliation and Supplier Master Data Management.
• Ensures and monitors the delivery of results within established Service Level Agreements (SLAs).
• Coordinates the establishment and implementation of Standard Operational Procedures (SOP) in the area of banking, accounts payable, assets and bank reconciliation.
• Identifies potential risks in relation to financial management including effective internal controls and proposes mitigating action to management.
• Ensures that monthly and yearly financial closings, along with other periodic accounting tasks, are completed promptly and accurately.
• Coordinates responses to queries from internal and external stakeholders including auditors and coordinates the implementation of recommendations.
• Analyses and evaluates information from financial processes to identify areas for improvement; leads and implements operational improvement activities to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.
• Coordinates the support to projects assigned by SSC Management and the Finance Officer; monitors and reports on progress to management.
• Makes proposals for the continuous improvement of financial monitoring and control mechanisms; reviews and makes recommendations for the streamlining of financial systems and accounting procedures in collaboration with Decentralized Offices and the Finance Division.
• Leads the development of training and related training materials and promotes best practices and capacity development at headquarters and in Decentralized Offices.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• National of Hungary.
• Advanced university degree in accounting, finance, business administration or a related field and five years of relevant experience in finance, accounting and/or business analysis OR a first level university degree in accounting, finance, business administration or a related field, seven years of relevant experience and completion of professional qualification in accountancy (CA, CPA, ACCA) or investment professional (CFA).
• Working knowledge (proficient - level C) of English and Hungarian.

Competencies

• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

• Extent and relevance of experience in finance, business analysis, banking and/or accounting, as well as payment processing and/or reconciliation or supplier banking records masterfile maintenance.
• Extent and relevance of knowledge and experience in analysing and evaluating financial reports and/or experience in International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS).
• A professional qualification from a recognized professional institution (CFA, CCM, CA, CPA) is desirable.
• Extent of knowledge of UN or standard operational rules and procedures.
• Extent of knowledge of an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) business management software (e.g. Oracle, SAP).
• Experience in a shared services or business support centre is highly desirable.
• Limited knowledge (intermediate - level B) of official FAO languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) is highly desirable.

Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency.
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GENERAL INFORMATION

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CONDITIONS OF SERVICE

A competitive compensation and benefits package is offered. For information on UN salaries, allowances and benefits, click on the following link\: https\://commonsystem.org/cp/default.asp
FAO encourages a positive workplace culture to increase inclusivity and diversity within its workforce. FAO applies measures in which all staff members contribute equally and in full to the work and development of the Organization. This includes\:
• elements of family-friendly policies
• flexible working arrangements
• standards of conduct