Payroll and Benefits Officer (Head of Payroll Services)

Job Posting Organization:
The Shared Services Centre (SSC) is an integral part of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, dedicated to enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery across the organization. Established to streamline processes and improve service quality, the SSC focuses on quality assurance activities associated with transactional processes. The organization aims to continuously improve customer satisfaction, whether internal or external, while pursuing a continuous improvement agenda that drives service excellence and reduces costs through process standardization, automation, and self-service capabilities. The SSC operates globally, ensuring that its services meet the diverse needs of FAO staff and stakeholders.

Job Overview:
The Payroll and Benefits Officer (Head of Payroll Services) is a pivotal role within the FAO's Shared Services Centre located in Budapest, Hungary. This position is responsible for leading FAO’s global payroll operations, ensuring strategic oversight, compliance, and continuous improvement of payroll services for staff, affiliated personnel, and retirees. The incumbent guarantees the timely and accurate delivery of entitlements in accordance with FAO rules and UN Common System standards. This role is crucial for strengthening controls, safeguarding financial integrity, managing payroll-related risks, and driving process optimization across FAO’s Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and related systems. The Payroll and Benefits Officer will manage a team of payroll professionals and collaborate with various divisions and external partners to ensure seamless payroll operations.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Payroll and Benefits Officer will oversee several key functional areas, including:

• Staff Member Payroll: Ensure timely and accurate processing of payroll for FAO staff worldwide, adhering to FAO Rules and Regulations and UN Common System standards.
• Affiliate Workforce Payroll: Guarantee timely and accurate payroll results for FAO’s affiliate workforce, ensuring smooth operations across global locations.
• After Service Medical Coverage (ASMC): Manage the administration and financial integrity of ASMC for retirees, coordinating with insurance providers and other UN organizations.
• Employee Receivables: Oversee the management of all employee receivables, ensuring timely and accurate calculation of recoveries and reconciliation of outstanding amounts. The incumbent will also lead payroll risk management activities, ensure compliance with financial rules and regulations, and collaborate with various internal and external partners to resolve issues and support cross-functional coordination. Additionally, the officer will participate in inter-agency forums, contribute payroll expertise, and manage and coach the payroll team to foster a culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an Advanced University Degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, Human Resources, or a related field. A minimum of seven years of relevant experience in finance, human resources, and/or payroll-benefits administration is required. Candidates should demonstrate proficiency in English (working knowledge - level C) and have intermediate knowledge (level B) of another official FAO language such as Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish. Competencies such as results focus, teamwork, communication, building effective relationships, and knowledge sharing are essential for this role.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an Advanced University Degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in fields such as Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, Human Resources, or related disciplines. This advanced education is crucial for understanding the complexities of payroll management and compliance within an international organization like FAO.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of seven years of relevant experience in finance, human resources, and payroll-benefits administration. Experience in global, multi-currency payroll management, ideally within the UN Common System or comparable international organizations, is highly desirable. Demonstrated experience with ERP payroll modules, particularly Oracle, is also preferred, along with a strong background in business process reengineering and continuous improvement initiatives.

Languages:
Proficiency in English is mandatory, with a working knowledge at level C. Additionally, candidates should possess intermediate knowledge (level B) of another official FAO language, which could include Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish. This multilingual capability is essential for effective communication within the diverse international environment of FAO.

Additional Notes:
This position is located in Budapest, Hungary, and is part of the FAO Shared Services Centre. The role is full-time and involves managing a team of payroll professionals. Candidates should be prepared for a dynamic work environment that requires collaboration with various internal and external stakeholders. The position may involve international recruitment and offers opportunities for professional development and growth within the organization.