Finance Assistant

Job Posting Organization:
The job posting organization is UNESCO, which stands for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. Established in 1945, UNESCO aims to promote peace and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security through international cooperation in education, the sciences, and culture. The organization has a mission to contribute to the building of peace, the eradication of poverty, sustainable development, and intercultural dialogue. UNESCO operates in over 190 countries and has a workforce of approximately 2,000 employees. The organization is headquartered in Paris, France, and is known for its commitment to fostering global collaboration and understanding through various programs and initiatives.

Job Overview:
The Finance Assistant position is part of the UNESCO Staff Savings and Loan Service (USLS), which operates as a trust fund under the financial rules of UNESCO. The primary objective of USLS is to provide its members with opportunities to invest their savings and borrow money for suitable purposes on a mutualist basis. The Finance Assistant will work under the authority of the Director of Finance and will be responsible for providing administrative and support services related to loans and savings activities. This role requires the incumbent to build reports, tables, and statistics using USLS IT tools or Excel, following the instructions of supervisors. The position involves delivering specialized support in finance, administration of members' personal data, bank accounts, and electronic banking platforms. The Finance Assistant will also be expected to manage various tasks related to loans and savings operations, ensuring compliance with organizational guidelines and maintaining accurate records.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Finance Assistant will have a diverse set of responsibilities structured under different supervisors based on the nature of the tasks. Under the supervision of the Finance Officer (Loans), the incumbent will provide loan advice and simulations to members, review loan applications for compliance, and recommend appropriate financing solutions. They will prepare loan files, liaise with notaries, disburse funds, and ensure accurate documentation for audit purposes. Additionally, the Finance Assistant will monitor member repayments, process reimbursements, and follow up on overdue accounts. Under the supervision of the Finance Officer (Savings), the incumbent will open and manage members’ savings accounts, update personal and banking data, and verify required documentation. They will administer daily savings operations, including deposits, withdrawals, transfers, and ensure compliance for special accounts. The Finance Assistant will also input and control data in USLS systems, archive documents, and produce standard member reports. Furthermore, under the supervision of the General Manager or Finance Officers, the incumbent will act as an IT reference point for reporting and troubleshooting, assist in system interfaces, maintain USLS communication channels, organize logistics for committee meetings, and contribute to projects and system testing as required.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires a completed secondary, technical, or vocational school degree in banking or business administration. Candidates must have a minimum of five years of relevant professional experience in a similar role within a financial institution, financial service of a company, loan broker, or insurance company. The role demands a general knowledge of banking regulations, accounting, and mortgage and personal loan granting rules, along with skilled knowledge of bank payments processing. Proficiency in banking or credit union IT systems, Office software (especially Excel), and bank payment platforms is essential. Candidates should possess strong communication, teamwork, and customer service skills, with a results-driven approach and attention to detail. The ability to work independently or in a team, along with a commitment to confidentiality and data privacy, is also required.

Educational Background:
Candidates must have completed secondary, technical, or vocational school education in banking or business administration. A university degree in banking or business administration is considered a desirable qualification, enhancing the candidate's profile for the position.

Experience:
The Finance Assistant role requires a minimum of five years of relevant professional experience in a similar capacity within a financial institution, financial service of a company, loan broker, or insurance company. This experience is mandatory to ensure that the candidate possesses the necessary skills and knowledge to perform the duties effectively.

Languages:
Candidates must have excellent knowledge (oral and written) of English or French, with a good knowledge of the other language being advantageous. Additionally, knowledge of another official UNESCO language (Arabic, Chinese, Russian, Spanish) is considered a desirable qualification, enhancing the candidate's linguistic capabilities.

Additional Notes:
The position is classified as a G-5 grade and is a fixed-term contract with a standard duration of two years, which is renewable. The recruitment is open to both internal and external candidates. The application deadline is set for midnight Paris time on 02-OCT-202

• UNESCO offers a competitive salary package, with the approximate annual starting salary for this post being 43,734 Euro. Benefits may include 30 days of annual leave, family allowance, medical insurance, and a pension plan. The selection and recruitment process will involve an online application, and candidates may be assessed through tests, assessments, and interviews. UNESCO emphasizes its commitment to diversity and encourages applications from candidates of various backgrounds, including those from under-represented Member States, minority groups, and persons with disabilities.