Senior Finance Officer

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through FAO’s Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, for Better production, Better nutrition, a Better environment and a Better life, leaving no one behind.

FAO's commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations.

The Shared Services Centre (SSC) recommends and administers process management and procedures that need to be executed effectively; ensures the management of quality assurance activities associated with the transactional processes and implementation of service delivery; continuously improves the satisfaction of its customers, internal or external, while pursuing a continuous improvement agenda that will drive up service excellence while driving down the costs of service delivery through process standardization, process automation and self-service capabilities.

The position is based in the FAO Shared Services Centre in Budapest, Hungary.

Reporting Lines

 The Senior Finance Officer reports to the Chief, SSC.

Technical Focus

Ensure high quality finance service delivery with a strong focus on client satisfaction.

Key Results

Financial services and related assistance in accordance with internal policies, United Nations (UN) financial guidelines and International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS).

Key Functions

·         Leads the operations of the Financial Shared Services Teams, ensuring high-quality transaction processing while developing a client-focused culture and procedural framework that aligns with organizational goals.

·         Implements and operationalizes financial policies established by the Finance Division, developing effective systems and procedures to enhance operational efficiency while supporting standardization of financial services.

·         Leads, mentors and supervises diverse teams within the SSC Finance unit, fostering a culture of operational excellence.

·         Oversees the delivery of comprehensive training programmes to enhance financial capabilities across the organization.

·         Ensures adherence to financial regulations and procedures established by the Finance Division while adapting service delivery to meet the dynamic needs of decentralized operations and headquarters.

·         Engages with the Finance Division teams and other departments, coordinating cross-functional initiatives to resolve functional issues and ensure timely, accurate financial processing.

·         Represents the SSC in relevant forums and initiatives, identifying emerging trends and technologies that can improve financial service delivery.

·         Performs other related duties as required to support SSC objectives and organizational priorities.

Specific functions

·         Directs strategic enhancement, scaling, and technological upgrades of shared financial services to boost transaction processing capabilities and support service expansion in accordance with SSC strategic directives.

·         Integrates advanced technologies including Cloud ERP system components, Intelligence Document Processing, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to streamline operations and promote touchless processing within an "automation first" approach.

·         Manages and supervises the implementation and deployment of digital payment initiatives throughout the decentralized office network, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives and acquisition of operational efficiencies.

·         Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with banks, financial institutions and partners, coordinating financial transactions and providing information/clarification during audit processes.

·         Develops and ensures the implementation of, and compliance with Service Level Agreements (SLAs) and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to measure service efficiency and effectiveness, providing regular reports to ensure alignment with established standards and continuous improvement.

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CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

·         Advanced university degree in accounting, finance, business administration or a related field and ten years of relevant experience in finance, accounting and/or business analysis OR a first level university degree in accounting, finance, business administration or a related field, twelve years of relevant experience and completion of professional qualification in accountancy (CA, CPA, ACCA) or investment professional (CFA).

·         Working knowledge (proficiency– level C) of English and intermediate knowledge (intermediate proficiency – level B) of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).

Competencies

·         Results Focus

·         Leading, Engaging and Empowering

·         Communication

·         Partnering and Advocating

·         Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

·         Strategic Thinking

Technical/Functional Skills

·         Demonstrated professional competence and success in delivering innovative and cost-effective financial services in complex multicultural environments.

·         Strong analytical ability with excellent financial problem-solving skills and demonstrated ability to communicate financial information clearly both orally and in writing,

·         Extensive experience in financial operations, treasury management, accounts payable/receivable, and digital payment systems within international organizations.

·         Experience implementing financial process improvements and automation technologies including ERP financial modules, banking platforms, and Intelligence Document Processing.

·         Leadership and people management skills with demonstrated ability to lead financial teams, drive process optimization projects, and foster continuous improvement initiatives.

·         Excellent interpersonal skills with proven ability to build relationships with finance stakeholders and maintain strong client orientation in financial service delivery.

·         Knowledge of international financial regulations, banking practices, and compliance requirements relevant to global organizations.

·         Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions, is essential.

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