National Professional Officer (Finance)

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 National Professional Officer (Finance) position is located within the FAO Shared Services Centre (SSC) in Budapest, Hungary. This role is crucial for ensuring effective financial management and administrative support within the organization. The officer will report to the Senior Finance Officer (Head of Finance Unit) and will be responsible for coordinating and supervising the activities of an operational team focused on banking, accounts payable, assets, and bank reconciliation. The position requires a proactive approach to service delivery, ensuring that results are achieved within established service level agreements (SLAs) while maintaining high levels of client satisfaction. The officer will also be involved in creating and maintaining Standard Operational Procedures (SOPs) and will play a key role in process improvement initiatives, contributing to the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the finance unit.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the National Professional Officer (Finance) include coordinating and supervising the operational team's activities in banking, accounts payable, assets, and bank reconciliation. The officer will ensure the delivery of results within established SLAs and respond effectively to client inquiries. Responsibilities also include creating and maintaining SOPs, exchanging information with internal and external partners, monitoring team performance, and preparing financial reports for operational improvement. The officer will support projects assigned by SSC Management and the Finance Officer, contribute to process improvement initiatives, and participate in the development of training materials to promote best practices. Additional duties may be assigned as required.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must be nationals of Hungary and possess an advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in a field related to business or public administration. A minimum of one year of relevant experience in office management, administration, accounting, audit, budget, or finance is required. Proficiency in English and Hungarian at level C is mandatory, along with strong competencies in results focus, teamwork, communication, building effective relationships, and knowledge sharing.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in business or public administration. This educational foundation is essential for understanding the complexities of financial management and administrative processes within the FAO.

Experience:
The position requires at least one year of relevant experience in office management, administration, accounting, audit, budget, or finance. Candidates with experience in finance, business analysis, banking, or accounting, particularly in payment processing and reconciliation, will be preferred. Experience in a shared services or business support center is highly desirable, as is familiarity with International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS).

Languages:
Candidates must have a working knowledge (proficiency - level C) of English and Hungarian. Additionally, intermediate knowledge (intermediate proficiency - level B) of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish) is highly desirable, as it enhances communication and collaboration within the organization.

Additional Notes:
The position is a full-time role based in Budapest, Hungary, and is open to nationals of Hungary only. The FAO offers a competitive compensation package and benefits, including opportunities for professional development and training. The organization values diversity and encourages applications from qualified individuals regardless of gender, nationality, or background.