Finance Associate

Job Posting Organization:
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is an international organization that leads global efforts to defeat hunger and improve nutrition and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security. Established in 1945, FAO has a mission to achieve food security for all and ensure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. The organization operates in over 130 countries and employs thousands of staff members worldwide, working towards sustainable agricultural practices and the transformation of agrifood systems to be more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable. FAO's commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to its strategic objectives and operations, aligning with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Job Overview:
The Finance Associate position is a critical role within the FAO Shared Services Centre located in Budapest, Hungary. This role involves undertaking high-level and specialized finance-related support activities, leading and coordinating the financial support work of the unit. The Finance Associate is expected to ensure the quality, transparency, and consistency of financial processes, requiring in-depth knowledge and interpretation of financial policies, procedures, and practices. The incumbent will provide procedural guidance to managers and staff within the organization and will also guide other finance support staff. The position demands a high degree of initiative, judgment, and liability, with the Finance Associate working autonomously while also supervising and training other finance support personnel. The role is essential for maintaining effective financial operations and ensuring that the organization's financial activities align with its strategic goals.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Finance Associate will be responsible for a comprehensive set of duties, including but not limited to: reviewing transactions and investigating errors, taking corrective actions, reconciling and reviewing accounts, and ensuring proper clearance procedures are followed. The incumbent will extract transaction details from the corporate finance and accounting system to analyze and verify their accuracy and validity. Monitoring transactions to ensure they remain within authorized levels is also a key responsibility. The Finance Associate will prepare worksheets and assist in the preparation of reports by compiling and consolidating data from various sources. Participation in continuous improvement efforts is expected, acting as a focal person for the analysis, testing, and implementation of new financial process automations. The role includes ensuring smooth processing of electronic payments, liaising with FAO's corporate banks regarding payment issues, and acting as an alternate approver to review and validate high-amount invoices within the delegation of authority. Drafting and preparing correspondence, responding to queries, evaluating ongoing financial support requirements, and adapting service provision to meet changing needs are also part of the responsibilities. The Finance Associate will provide procedural guidance to managers and staff, supervise and train other finance support staff, and perform other duties as required.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must meet the minimum requirements which include a secondary school education and five years of relevant experience in finance, accounting, and budget-related support work. A working knowledge (proficiency - level C) of English is mandatory, and candidates should possess very good knowledge of MS Office applications, internet, and office technology equipment. Additionally, candidates must be nationals of Hungary or possess an existing visa/work permit and reside within commuting distance of the duty station at the time of application. This requirement ensures that candidates can travel daily between their place of work and residence without significant barriers.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes at least a secondary school education. This foundational education is essential for understanding the basic principles of finance and accounting, which are critical for the role of Finance Associate. Further education or certifications in finance, accounting, or related fields may be advantageous but are not explicitly stated as requirements.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of five years of relevant experience in finance, accounting, and budget-related support work. This level of experience is necessary to ensure that the Finance Associate can effectively handle the specialized finance-related support activities and lead the financial support work of the unit. Candidates should have a proven track record of managing financial processes and providing support in a professional environment.

Languages:
A working knowledge (proficiency - level C) of English is mandatory for this position. Additionally, having intermediate knowledge (intermediate proficiency - level B) of one of the other working languages of the Organization, which include Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish, is considered desirable. This multilingual capability can enhance communication and collaboration within the diverse environment of the FAO.

Additional Notes:
The position is classified under the General Service Staff category, which means that candidates must be recruited locally. To be eligible for this position, candidates must be nationals of Hungary or possess an existing visa/work permit and reside within commuting distance of the duty station at the time of application. The role is full-time, and the incumbent will be expected to demonstrate competencies such as results focus, teamwork, communication, building effective relationships, and knowledge sharing and continuous improvement. Technical skills required include thorough knowledge of financial rules and regulations, accounting policies and practices, and familiarity with ERP corporate financial systems. Desirable qualifications include a very good knowledge of the corporate structure and knowledge of Oracle.