Finance and Administrative Officer

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Position Title: Finance and Administrative Officer
Location: Addis Ababa
Country: Ethiopia
Deadline Date: 24-MAR-2025

Job Details

Job Posting Organization:
UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, was established in 1945 with the mission to contribute to peace and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security by promoting international collaboration through educational, scientific, and cultural reforms. With a presence in over 190 countries, UNESCO aims to build peace in the minds of men and women. The organization employs thousands of individuals worldwide, working across various sectors to achieve its goals of education, science, culture, and communication.

Job Overview:
The Finance and Administrative Officer plays a crucial role in supporting the administrative management of UNESCO entities in Addis Ababa. This position involves direct reporting to the Directors of the entities while maintaining a functional reporting line to the director-general" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Assistant Director-General for Administration at UNESCO Headquarters. The officer is responsible for ensuring compliance with financial internal controls and policies, providing guidance on administrative matters, and overseeing the financial and budgetary processes within the organization. The role requires a proactive approach to managing resources, advising on budget preparation, and ensuring that financial transactions adhere to established regulations and procedures. The officer will also be involved in liaising with host country authorities and representing UNESCO in various administrative and financial discussions.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Finance and Administrative Officer will undertake a variety of duties, including advising the Directors on administration, budget, financial, human resources, and security matters. Responsibilities include ensuring compliance with UNESCO policies, maintaining proper inventory and filing systems, safeguarding organizational assets, and representing UNESCO in the UN Country Team's Organizational Management Team. The officer will also monitor the execution of budgets, ensure appropriate budgetary control, and facilitate training for managers on budgetary principles. Additionally, the officer will act as a Certifying Officer, ensuring compliance with financial regulations, and will be the focal point for discussions with donors and financial partners. The role also encompasses human resources management, advising on staff-related matters, and ensuring compliance with UN security policies.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in Finance or Accounting, or a completed professionally recognized accountancy qualification equivalent to a Master's degree. Alternatively, a Bachelor's degree in Finance or Accounting with an additional 2 years of relevant professional experience is acceptable. The position requires a minimum of 4 years of relevant professional experience in administration, finance, or accounting, with at least 2 years at the international level being preferable. Candidates should have solid knowledge of accounting principles, demonstrated analytical and organizational skills, and the ability to communicate effectively in a multicultural environment.

Educational Background:
The educational requirements for this position include an advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in Finance or Accounting. Alternatively, candidates may qualify with a completed professionally recognized accountancy qualification equivalent to a Master's degree, or a Bachelor's degree in Finance or Accounting, provided they have additional relevant professional experience. This educational background is essential for understanding the complexities of financial management and administrative processes within an international organization.

Experience:
The ideal candidate should have a minimum of 4 years of relevant professional experience in administration, finance, accounting, or related areas. It is preferred that at least 2 years of this experience be at the international level, which would provide the candidate with a broader understanding of global financial practices and administrative protocols. Experience in preparing financial statements and analyzing financial data is also crucial for this role, as it involves significant financial oversight and reporting responsibilities.

Languages:
Excellent knowledge of English, both oral and written, is mandatory for this position. Additionally, knowledge of another UNESCO official language such as French, Arabic, Chinese, Spanish, or Russian is considered desirable and would enhance the candidate's profile, especially in an international organization where multilingual communication is often necessary.

Additional Notes:
This position is a fixed-term contract for a duration of 2 years, with the possibility of renewal. It is open to both internal and external candidates, indicating a commitment to diversity and inclusion in the recruitment process. The role is full-time, and candidates should be prepared for potential international mobility as required by UNESCO. The starting annual salary for this position is approximately USD 104,265, and benefits may include 30 days of annual leave, family allowance, medical insurance, and a pension plan. UNESCO emphasizes a zero-tolerance policy against harassment and is committed to achieving gender parity and workforce diversity.