Finance and Administrative Officer

Job Advertisement

Position Title: Finance and Administrative Officer
Location: Venice
Country: Italy
Deadline Date: 09-DEC-2024

Job Details

Job Posting Organization:
The job posting organization is UNESCO, which stands for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. Established in 1945, UNESCO aims to promote peace and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security through international cooperation in education, the sciences, and culture. The organization has a global presence, operating in over 190 countries with a workforce of approximately 2,000 employees. UNESCO's mission is to contribute to the building of peace, the eradication of poverty, sustainable development, and intercultural dialogue through its work in education, the sciences, culture, communication, and information.

Job Overview:
The Finance and Administrative Officer plays a crucial role in supporting the UNESCO Regional Office in Venice and its Antennas by providing comprehensive administrative management support. This position involves direct reporting to the Director of the Office and functional reporting to the Assistant Director-General for Administration and Management (ADG/ADM). The officer is responsible for ensuring compliance with UNESCO's policies and regulations, particularly in financial and human resources management. The role also includes advising the Director on various administrative matters, maintaining proper inventory and filing systems, and safeguarding the organization's assets. The officer will represent the office in inter-agency coordination mechanisms and liaise with host country authorities on logistical matters. This position requires a proactive approach to problem-solving and the ability to work collaboratively in a multicultural environment.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Finance and Administrative Officer's duties encompass a wide range of responsibilities, including advising the Director on administration, budget, financial, human resources, premises-related, and security matters. The officer must ensure compliance with UNESCO policies and regulations, maintain proper inventory and filing systems, and safeguard the organization's assets. Financial responsibilities include advising on budget preparation, monitoring budget execution, ensuring proper accounting procedures, and acting as a Certifying Officer for financial transactions. The officer will also manage human resources issues, provide guidance to staff on their rights and duties, and ensure compliance with UN security policies. Additionally, the officer will assist in negotiating lease agreements and liaise with HRM on local UN harmonization issues.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in Finance, Business Administration, Accounting, or a closely related field. A professionally recognized accountancy qualification is desirable. The position requires a minimum of 4 years of relevant professional experience in administration, finance, accounting, or related areas, with at least 2 years at the international level preferred. Candidates should demonstrate strong analytical and organizational skills, experience in financial management, and the ability to communicate effectively in a multicultural environment.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in Finance, Business Administration, Accounting, or closely related fields. A professionally recognized accountancy qualification is considered an asset, enhancing the candidate's qualifications for the role.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 4 years of relevant professional experience in administration, finance, accounting, or related areas. Candidates should ideally have at least 2 years of experience at the international level, which demonstrates their ability to navigate complex organizational structures and work effectively in diverse cultural settings.

Languages:
Candidates must have excellent knowledge (oral and written) of English and a fair knowledge of French. Knowledge of another UNESCO official language (French, Arabic, Chinese, and Spanish) is desirable, as well as knowledge of Italian, which would be beneficial for communication within the host country.

Additional Notes:
The position is a fixed-term contract for a duration of 2 years, with the possibility of renewal and extension. It is open to both internal and external candidates. The approximate starting annual salary for this position is USD 86,435, and benefits may include 30 days of annual leave, family allowance, medical insurance, and a pension plan. UNESCO emphasizes the importance of diversity and encourages applications from candidates of various backgrounds, including those from under-represented Member States, minority groups, indigenous groups, and persons with disabilities. The recruitment process does not involve any fees at any stage.