Finance Associate

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 Finance Associate is normally supervised by a more senior finance colleague who defines general work objectives and provides necessary advice and guidance. The incumbent also refers to UNHCR Manuals and relevant policy papers on financial issues. The role involves assisting with the processing of financial transactions, maintaining financial records, and ensuring compliance with UNHCR rules and procedures. The Finance Associate will interact frequently with staff at various levels in the office and with bank officials to exchange information. This position is critical in ensuring the accuracy and integrity of financial data and reports, which are essential for budget preparation, audits, and other financial matters. The incumbent will also be responsible for advising and assisting staff members on financial matters, including allowances, salary advances, and travel claims, while ensuring that all financial transactions are processed correctly and in accordance with established guidelines.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Finance Associate will maintain financial records and monitoring systems to record and reconcile expenditures, balances, payments, statements, and other data for day-to-day transactions and reports. The incumbent will select and enter data from a wide variety of documents, verifying accuracy by checking sources, making necessary calculations, and assuring inclusion of all relevant data. Additionally, the Finance Associate will prepare recurring reports as scheduled and special reports as required for budget preparation, audits, or other reasons. The role includes advising and assisting staff members, experts, and consultants on all aspects of allowances, salary advances, travel claims, and other financial matters, calculating and authorizing payments due for claims and services. The incumbent will maintain liaison with officials of local banks to obtain day-to-day information on exchange and interest rates, changes in procedures and regulations, and matters pertaining to the maintenance of office bank accounts. The Finance Associate will also prepare detailed cost estimates and participate in budget analysis and projections as required, initiate correspondence to verify data, answer queries, and obtain additional information on accounts and financial transactions, and verify that the financial transactions are correct and in accordance with UNHCR rules and procedures. Furthermore, the incumbent will support the identification and management of risks and seek to seize opportunities impacting objectives in the area of responsibility, ensuring decision-making is risk-based in the functional area of work, and raising risks, issues, and concerns to a supervisor or relevant functional colleague(s).

Required Qualifications:
The position requires a minimum of 3 years of relevant experience with a High School Diploma, or 2 years of relevant work experience with a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent. Essential qualifications include a high level of IT affinity, particularly with MS Office applications and PeopleSoft. Desirable qualifications include knowledge and work experience of Cloud ERP systems, good knowledge of UN/UNHCR financial rules and procedures, and completion of UNHCR learning programs or specific training relevant to the functions of the position. The candidate should possess strong organizational, analytical, and communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively in a multicultural, team-oriented environment. The ideal candidate will demonstrate accuracy, attention to detail, and a commitment to data quality, as well as the ability to work independently within delegated authority, exercising sound judgment in processing financial transactions and resolving exceptions.

Educational Background:
Candidates must have a High School Diploma or equivalent, with relevant certifications in Accounting, Business Administration, or Finance being essential. A Bachelor’s degree or higher in a related field is preferred and may substitute for some of the required experience. The educational background should provide a solid foundation in financial principles and practices, enabling the candidate to effectively perform the duties associated with the Finance Associate position.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 3 years of relevant experience for candidates with a High School Diploma, or 2 years of relevant work experience for those with a Bachelor’s degree or higher. Candidates should have sound practical experience in financial transaction processing, such as accounts payable, accounts receivable, reconciliations, or supplier/banking master data management, preferably in an international or shared-service environment. Experience working with financial modules of a major Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system such as Oracle or SAP is essential, along with an understanding of internal controls and day-to-day financial operations. Proficiency in preparing financial reports, reconciliations, and audit-ready documentation is also required.

Languages:
For General Service jobs, knowledge of English and/or the UN working language of the duty station is required. Candidates should have at least a B2 level proficiency in English. Knowledge of the local language is also beneficial but not mandatory. The ability to communicate effectively in English is crucial for collaboration with international teams and stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
This position is a temporary appointment for an initial period of 364 days, with a target start date of September 1, 2026, and a target end date of August 30, 202

• Candidates are expected to be legally present in Hungary and have the right to work in the country at the time of 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 854,066.5 HUF - NET 1,000,381.9 HUF, and 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. Additionally, 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. 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.