Finance Assistant

Job Posting Organization:
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is an agency that leads international efforts to defeat hunger and improve nutrition and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security. Established in 1945, FAO works in over 130 countries worldwide, employing thousands of staff members dedicated to achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The organization focuses on transforming agrifood systems to be more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable, ensuring better production, nutrition, environment, and quality of life for all, while leaving no one behind. The Shared Services Centre (SSC) within FAO plays a crucial role in managing process management and procedures, ensuring quality assurance in transactional processes, and continuously improving service delivery to enhance customer satisfaction.

Job Overview:
The Finance Assistant position is situated within the FAO Shared Services Centre in Budapest, Hungary. The role is pivotal in delivering financial services to FAO Decentralized Offices, particularly in the area of Fixed Assets. The Finance Assistant will report directly to the National Officer and collaborate closely with the Finance Unit team and other FAO Decentralized Offices. The primary focus of this position is to ensure the integrity and accuracy of asset management transactions, contributing to the overall efficiency and effectiveness of financial operations within the organization. The role requires a proactive approach to problem-solving and a commitment to maintaining high standards of financial management and compliance.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Finance Assistant will undertake a variety of responsibilities, including but not limited to: independently reviewing and processing complex asset-management transactions to maintain the integrity of the Asset Register; validating supporting documentation from headquarters and country offices; monitoring and investigating exceptional requests through ServiceNow; coordinating quality assurance and data-quality review activities; supporting the Physical Verification of Assets (PVA) process; assessing capitalization thresholds and applicable accounting guidelines; preparing and delivering training sessions and knowledge-sharing activities; providing technical support in developing procedural documentation and operational guidance; identifying operational inefficiencies and contributing to process improvement initiatives; and assisting in audit and compliance reviews by analyzing asset data and preparing necessary documentation.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a completed Secondary School Education and have at least three years of relevant experience in finance. A working knowledge (level C) of English is mandatory, and candidates must be nationals of Hungary or residents with a valid work permit. Additionally, candidates should demonstrate FAO Core Competencies, including a focus on results, teamwork, effective communication, relationship building, and knowledge sharing. Technical and functional skills such as knowledge of communication and documentation standards, proficiency in MS Office applications, and familiarity with Oracle ERP or similar systems are also required.

Educational Background:
The minimum educational requirement for this position is a completed Secondary School Education. This foundational education is essential for understanding the financial principles and practices that will be applied in the role of Finance Assistant.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of three years of relevant experience in finance, which should include exposure to asset management and financial transactions. This experience is crucial for effectively handling the responsibilities associated with the position and ensuring compliance with FAO policies and procedures.

Languages:
A working knowledge of English (level C) is mandatory for this position. Additionally, knowledge of another FAO official language, such as Arabic, French, or Spanish, would be considered an asset, enhancing the candidate's ability to communicate and collaborate within the international context of FAO's operations.

Additional Notes:
This position is based in Budapest, Hungary, and is likely to be a full-time role. The FAO emphasizes the importance of diversity and inclusion in its workforce and encourages applications from qualified candidates regardless of their background. The organization also offers various benefits, including opportunities for professional development and training.