Business Efficiency and Innovation Officer

Job Posting Organization:
The Shared Services Centre (SSC) is a pivotal entity within the organization, dedicated to the effective execution and continuous improvement of various processes including HR, Finance, Payroll, Travel, and ERP troubleshooting. Established to enhance service delivery and ensure quality assurance, the SSC operates with a mission to drive customer satisfaction and pursue a continuous improvement agenda. The organization leverages process standardization, automation, and self-service capabilities to reduce costs and improve service excellence. The SSC is a key user and stakeholder of the organizational Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system, which includes Oracle eBusiness Suite and Business Intelligence platforms, and it plays a crucial role in aligning these systems with the business needs of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). The SSC also embraces new technologies such as ServiceNow for workflow automation and utilizes robotics and artificial intelligence to foster innovation and enhance service delivery across all operational areas.

Job Overview:
The Business Efficiency and Innovation Officer is responsible for evaluating the effectiveness and efficiency of internal processes and services, managing internal projects, and ensuring compliance with relevant policies and regulations. This role is crucial in delivering process innovation and continuous improvement initiatives that support organizational transformation. The officer will collaborate closely with the Digital FAO and Agro-Informatics Division at FAO Headquarters in Rome to define future functional needs and guide functional analysts in implementing process improvements. The position requires a proactive approach to identifying and implementing business improvements that lead to increased effectiveness and efficiency in the delivery of administrative services across the organization. The officer will also oversee SSC-led enabling services, including process and system improvement, emerging technologies, knowledge management, and change management across all SSC-assigned processes.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Business Efficiency and Innovation Officer include identifying opportunities to improve and increase the efficiency of business processes, recommending prioritized solutions in collaboration with process owners and subject matter experts. The officer will prepare work plans and monitor progress to ensure timely delivery of process and system improvement initiatives. Additionally, they will develop proposals and recommendations to inform senior management decisions on strategies, projects, and investments in change initiatives. The officer will seek opportunities to enhance organizational effectiveness and customer satisfaction across shared services, coordinate quality-improvement efforts, and adopt best practices to ensure sustained improvement benefits. They will also coordinate the rollout of process and system changes, including deployment and communication plans, training materials, and capacity-building activities. Furthermore, the officer will identify and evaluate opportunities to leverage artificial intelligence, machine learning, and automation technologies to enhance process efficiency, reduce manual effort, and improve service delivery across SSC operations. The officer will ensure that process changes are documented and communicated in line with change management best practices, supervise and develop team members, set objectives, delegate tasks, and provide coaching and feedback. Reporting on the status of design activities and projects, developing integrated plans and documentation, and performing other related duties as required are also part of the role.

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. They should have a minimum of seven years of relevant experience in administration and project management or implementing business transformation initiatives related to ERP environments. A working knowledge (proficiency - level C) of English is mandatory, along with intermediate knowledge (intermediate proficiency - level B) of another FAO official language such as Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish. Candidates should demonstrate competencies in results focus, teamwork, communication, building effective relationships, and knowledge sharing and continuous improvement.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced university degree, specifically a Master's degree or equivalent, in fields such as Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, Human Resources, or other related disciplines. This advanced education is essential to equip the candidate with the necessary theoretical knowledge and practical skills required for the complexities of the role.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of seven years of relevant experience in administration and project management, particularly in implementing business transformation initiatives related to ERP environments. Candidates with experience in diverse locations or areas of work, especially in field positions, are preferred. Relevant experience with ERP environments based on Oracle eBusiness Suite or similar technologies, particularly in the public sector or international organizations, is highly desirable.

Languages:
Candidates must have a working knowledge (proficiency - level C) of English, which is essential for effective communication in this role. Additionally, intermediate knowledge (intermediate proficiency - level B) of another FAO official language such as Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish is required. Proficiency in multiple languages is advantageous and may enhance the candidate's ability to engage with diverse stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
The position is based in Budapest, Hungary, and is likely to be a full-time role. The organization may consider candidates for international recruitment, and the role may involve collaboration with various teams across different locations. While specific details regarding contract duration and compensation are not provided, candidates should be prepared for a dynamic work environment that emphasizes continuous improvement and innovation in service delivery.