Organizational Setting
The Finance Division (CSF) recommends and administers financial policies and procedures that meet the highest professional standards; keeps accounts that accurately record financial activities and meet the requirements of internal and external audits; prepares reports to accurately portray the financial status of the Organization and its activities; ensures that the Organization's financial resources are securely kept and productively employed while in FAO's custody; oversees financial operations wherever performed in the Organization; and ensures that all disbursements are timely and made in accordance with established policies and procedures.
The post is located in the Finance Division at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy.
Reporting Lines
The Finance Officer reports to the Senior Finance Officer, Finance Division.
Technical Focus
The Finance Officer is responsible for leading divisional reporting and analysis on financial matters.ย
Key Results
The planning and delivery of financial services in accordance with internal policies, UN financial guidelines and International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS).
Key Functions
โข Leads and/or participates in Finance Division teams, participates and provides financial expertise on Organization-wide committees or working groups, and/or supervises staff.
โข Supervises, oversees and/or contributes to the delivery of financial reporting, general accounting, project accounting, and/or investment activities/services in accordance with FAO policies and regulatory framework.
โข Develops and updates the supporting operational, policy, accounting, control and/or risk management frameworks, involving the implementation of the latest approaches and methodologies, streamlined business processes, new/revised financial policies, and related tools, systems, technologies and related procedures.
โข Analyses financial information for inclusion in statutory reports, management reports, financial statements, and/or reports to donors as well as other specific reports for Governing Bodies, donors and other partners.
โข Responds to requests for assistance and provides financial and regulatory advice and assistance to managers at headquarters and Decentralized Offices, etc.
โข Develops effective working relationships and resolves problems with banks, other financial institutions, donors, partners, and UN financial executives as well as provides information/clarification to auditors.
โข Promotes best practices and capacity development at headquarters and Decentralized Offices, leads and/or participates in training and the development of related training materials.
Specific Functions
โขย ย ย Coordinates Budget preparation, monitoring and analysis.
โขย ย ย Coordinates responses to external and internal audit.
โขย ย ย Advises the Director on UN Interagency groups, including the Finance and Budget Network.
โขย ย ย Coordinates Internal Control Framework, implementation and monitoring.
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
โข Advanced university degree in accounting, finance, business administration or a related field and seven years of relevant experience in finance, accounting, business analysis or related field; OR a first level university degree in accounting, finance, business administration or related field and nine years of relevant experience in similar fields and completion of a professional qualification in accountancy (Chartered ย Accountant [CA], Certified Public Accountant [CPA], Association of Chartered Certified Accountants [ACCA]) or the investment profession (Chartered Financial Analyst [CFA])..
โข Working knowledge (proficient โ level C) of English and limited knowledge (intermediate โ level B) of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).
Competencies
โขย ย ย Results Focus
โขย ย ย Teamwork
โขย ย ย Communication
โขย ย ย Building Effective Relationships
โขย ย ย Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
Technical/Functional Skills
โขย ย ย Extent and relevance of experience in accounting and in managing accounting functions, budget management and reporting.
โขย ย ย Extent and relevance of knowledge in IPSAS and financial statement preparation.
โขย ย ย Extent and relevance of knowledge of ERP systems and financial reporting tools.
โขย ย ย Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions, is desirable.