Finance Coordination Assistant

Job Posting Organization:
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (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 mission includes reducing hunger and malnutrition, promoting sustainable agriculture, and enhancing the resilience of agrifood systems. Within FAO, the Emergency Centre for Transboundary Animal Diseases (ECTAD) plays a crucial role in supporting countries to prevent and respond to animal health threats, zoonoses, and antimicrobial resistance through enhanced preparedness and collaboration.

Job Overview:
The Finance Coordination Assistant (SC5) will be an integral part of the ECTAD Programme, providing essential financial, administrative, and operational support. This role is pivotal in ensuring that the financial processes are executed accurately and in compliance with FAO's established rules and procedures. The assistant will be responsible for maintaining precise financial records, monitoring budgets, and ensuring timely reporting. The position requires collaboration with various stakeholders, including programme staff and support units, to facilitate effective programme delivery and operational compliance. The Finance Coordination Assistant will also play a key role in budget analysis and financial projections, contributing to the overall success of the ECTAD Programme in Bangladesh.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Finance Coordination Assistant will perform a variety of tasks, including but not limited to: assisting in programme administration and maintaining accurate financial records of all disbursements and receipts under the ECTAD Programme; processing programme payments and following up on invoices to ensure compliance with FAO budget limits; reconciling expenditures and financial transactions; supporting procurement workflows by preparing Purchase Requests and tracking their status; reviewing and processing Disbursement Vouchers; monitoring project financial reports and maintaining awareness of project account balances; reconciling programme cash advances and petty cash accounts; preparing detailed cost estimates and contributing to budget analysis; assisting in maintaining HR records; reviewing and processing local travel claims; and performing other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, business administration, public management, or a related field relevant to FAO’s mandate. Additionally, a minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in finance, programme coordination, operations, data processing, or office support functions is required. Candidates should also have a working knowledge of English and Bengali, and must be nationals of Bangladesh.

Educational Background:
The position requires a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as finance, accounting, business administration, or public management. It is essential that the degree is obtained from an institution accredited or recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED).

Experience:
Candidates should have at least five years of progressively responsible experience in finance, programme coordination, operations, data processing, or office support functions. Experience in finance and administrative support roles, particularly within development projects, UN agencies, NGOs, or large organizations, is highly desirable.

Languages:
A working knowledge of English and Bengali is mandatory for this position. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset but is not required.

Additional Notes:
FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process, including application, interview, or processing. Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted. Candidates must be medically fit for appointment and meet any residency or visa requirements. The appointment will also be subject to security clearances. For additional employment opportunities, candidates can visit the FAO employment website.