Finance Assistant

Job Posting Organization:
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. Established in 1945, FAO has over 194 member countries and works in more than 130 countries worldwide. The organization aims to achieve security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security for all and ensure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. FAO's commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to its strategic objectives and operations, focusing on improving agricultural productivity, enhancing food security, and promoting sustainable management of natural resources.

Job Overview:
The Finance Assistant plays a crucial role in the Finance Division at FAO Headquarters in Rome, Italy. This position involves performing a variety of routine administrative and financial duties that support the control and maintenance of accounts, as well as the processing of finance, accounting, and budget-related transactions. The incumbent is expected to exercise sound judgment, identify errors, and support best practices in financial management. The role requires a proactive approach to ensure that financial operations are conducted efficiently and in compliance with established policies and procedures. The Finance Assistant will work closely with colleagues and clients within the organization to facilitate the effective delivery of finance-related services, contributing to the overall success of the Finance Division.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Finance Assistant's duties include processing claims, invoices, and other payment requests in accordance with relevant regulations and instructions. The incumbent must ensure that all supporting documents and information required to justify payments are complete before releasing them. Responsibilities also include settling invoices and claims after verifying supporting documents, compiling and verifying budget and accounting data, and assisting in the preparation of periodic accounting records and finance documents. The Finance Assistant will record receipts and disbursements, reconcile data for reports, maintain contacts with local banks, verify account statuses, and perform other duties as required. The impact of this role is significant, as it directly affects the timely and efficient delivery of financial support services and the overall output of the work unit.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a secondary school education and have at least three years of relevant experience in finance or budget-related support work. A good knowledge of financial rules and regulations, accounting policies, and corporate financial systems is essential. Additionally, candidates should demonstrate competencies such as results focus, teamwork, communication, building effective relationships, and knowledge sharing. Technical skills in communication and documentation standards are also required.

Educational Background:
The minimum educational requirement for this position is a secondary school education. This foundational education is crucial for understanding the financial processes and regulations that the Finance Assistant will be working with.

Experience:
Candidates are required to have a minimum of three years of relevant experience in finance or budget-related support work. This experience should provide a solid understanding of financial operations and the ability to handle various financial tasks effectively.

Languages:
A working knowledge (proficiency - level C) of English is mandatory for this position. Additionally, having intermediate knowledge (intermediate proficiency - level B) of another official FAO language, such as Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish, is considered desirable and may enhance a candidate's application.

Additional Notes:
This position is classified under the General Service Staff category, which means that candidates must be nationals of Italy or possess an existing visa/work permit and reside within commuting distance of the duty station at the time of application. The role is expected to be full-time, and the successful candidate will be part of a dynamic team within the Finance Division, contributing to the organization's mission of achieving food security and sustainable agricultural practices.