Senior Finance Assistant

Job Posting Organization:
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is the UN agency mandated to protect and assist refugees, asylum-seekers, internally displaced people, returnees, and stateless persons worldwide. Established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1950, UNHCR leads and coordinates international efforts to safeguard the rights and well-being of people forced to flee. It works to ensure that everyone has the right to seek asylum and find safety, while pursuing durable solutions through voluntary return, local integration, or resettlement in a third country. Today, UNHCR employs around 12,000 personnel in more than 120 countries, supporting and protecting millions of forcibly displaced and stateless people around the world. The Global Service Centre (GSC) in Budapest supports UNHCR's worldwide operations by delivering critical services in Human Resources, Finance, Accounting, Supply, Procurement, Learning, and Information and Communication Technology (ICT). With more than 500 colleagues representing nearly 80 nationalities, the GSC provides a diverse and inclusive work environment where professionals from a wide range of backgrounds contribute directly to UNHCR's global mission of protecting and supporting people forced to flee.

Job Overview:
The Senior Finance Assistant is normally supervised by a more senior finance colleague who defines work objectives and provides regular advice and guidance. The incumbent also refers to UNHCR Manuals and relevant policy papers on financial issues. The incumbent assists with the processing of financial transactions and keeps frequent contact with staff at various levels in the office and with bank officials to exchange information. All UNHCR staff members are accountable to perform their duties as reflected in their job description. They do so within their delegated authorities, in line with the regulatory framework of UNHCR which includes the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, UNHCR Policies and Administrative Instructions as well as relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, staff members are required to discharge their responsibilities in a manner consistent with the core, functional, cross-functional and managerial competencies and UNHCR's core values of professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity.

Duties and Responsibilities:
- Maintain financial records for project or other office accounts for which responsibility is assigned. - Record receipts and payments, assure accuracy of computation and completeness of documents and maintain continuing status of allotments against obligations. - Prepare recurring reports on assigned accounts, noting problems resulting from excess cost or less-than-expected receipts. - Prepare special reports to clarify problems or as requested for other reasons. - Calculate and compile cost estimates and projected budget requirements and assist in preparation of budget statements for area of assignment. - Prepare routine correspondence and maintain contracts with others to discuss matters concerning accounts and related assignments. - Maintain contacts with local banks to clarify questions pertaining to office bank accounts. - Brief and assist new staff on basic financial procedures and requirements with respect to payments, entitlements, banking and currency provisions and other requirements relating to accounts and finance. - Initiate correspondence to verify data, answer queries and obtain additional information on accounts and financial transactions, as required. - Support the identification and management of risks and seek to seize opportunities impacting objectives in the area of responsibility. Ensure decision making in risk based in the functional area of work. Raise risks, issues and concerns to a supervisor or to relevant functional colleague(s). - Perform other related duties as required.

Required Qualifications:
For G5 - 2 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 1 year relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher. Essential qualifications include practical experience in maintaining financial records and processing financial transactions, preferably in an international or shared-service environment. Experience with financial modules of a major Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system such as Oracle or SAP, and the capability to learn new software tools. Strong organizational and communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively in a multicultural, team-oriented environment. Accuracy and attention to detail in recording financial transactions, reconciling accounts, and preparing reports are also essential. Ability to identify, investigate, and resolve discrepancies in financial records, escalating complex issues as required. Knowledge of financial record-keeping workflows, internal controls, and accounting standards is crucial. Strong client-service and interpersonal skills for liaising with internal staff, external stakeholders, and project teams are necessary. Capacity to contribute to process improvements, adapt to new system functionalities, and support ERP testing or updates is also required.

Educational Background:
The educational background needed for this position includes a High School Diploma for candidates with 2 years of relevant experience, or a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent for those with 1 year of relevant work experience. Relevant fields of education include Accounting, Business Administration, and Finance. Certifications in these areas are also beneficial, particularly those marked as essential.

Experience:
The level of experience needed for the position includes a minimum of 2 years of relevant experience with a High School Diploma or 1 year of relevant work experience with a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent. Candidates should have proven experience in maintaining financial records and processing financial transactions, preferably in an international or shared-service environment. Experience with financial modules of a major ERP system such as Oracle or SAP is highly desirable, along with proficiency in MS Excel or similar analytical or reporting tools.

Languages:
For General Service jobs, knowledge of English and/or UN working language of the duty station if not English is required. For this position, a good command of English is mandatory, and knowledge of the local language is advantageous. The expected overall ability in the required languages is at least B2 level.

Additional Notes:
This position is a temporary appointment for an initial period of 364 days. Candidates are expected to be legally present in Hungary and have the right to work in the country at the time of their recruitment. UNHCR does not facilitate obtaining a visa for recruitment purposes. This position is subject to local recruitment pursuant to staff rule 4.4 of the United Nations Staff Rules. Applicants for positions in the General Service and related categories must be authorized to work for the United Nations in the duty station where the position is located. Eligible applicants selected from outside the duty station are responsible for any expenses in connection with their relocation to the duty station. Staff members subject to local recruitment are not eligible for allowances or benefits exclusively applicable to international recruitment. The salary range for this position is NET 724,718.6 HUF - NET 848,943 HUF, and a competitive compensation and benefits package is offered according to the years of relevant experience. UNHCR staff members holding a temporary appointment will accrue annual leave at the rate of 1.5 working days for each full calendar month of service, totaling 18 working days per year. Staff members holding a temporary appointment of 6 months or more will become participants in the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund (UNJSPF). Locally recruited staff members in Budapest will be enrolled in the Medical Insurance Plan (MIP), which provides financial protection against healthcare expenses and allows members to choose their own healthcare providers, subject to the plan's rules and coverage limits. The coverage is also optionally available for eligible family members. Shortlisted candidates may be required to sit for a test, and no late applications will be accepted. UNHCR is committed to diversity and welcomes applications from qualified candidates regardless of disability, gender identity, marital or civil partnership status, race, colour or ethnic and national origins, religion or belief, or sexual orientation. UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.