Finance Officer (Banking Compliance)

1A011A01

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based on date and time settings of your personal device
The length of appointment for internal FAO candidates will be established in accordance with applicable policies pertaining to the extension of appointments

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• FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and culture
• Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented Members and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply
• Everyone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct, and to uphold FAO's values
• FAO, as a Specialized Agency of the United Nations, has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct that is incompatible with its status, objectives and mandate, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination　　
• All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
• All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality
• FAO staff are subject to the authority of the Director-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the Organization.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through the FAO 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.

Organizational Setting
The Finance Division 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 Treasury Operations Branch of the Finance Division.

Reporting Lines
The Finance Officer (Banking Compliance) reports to the Senior Finance Officer, Head, Treasury Operations Branch.

Technical Focus
Banking and financial compliance related to UN and non-UN sanctions that affect local operations and payment processes.

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

Key Functions
• Provides financial reporting, general accounting, project accounting, and/or investment related services in accordance with FAO policies and regulatory framework.
• Collects and analyses financial information for inclusion in statutory and/or management reports, financial statements, and/or reports to donors as well as specific reports for Governing Bodies, donors and other partners.
• Contributes to updating financial policies and related tools, systems, technologies and related procedures.
• Responds to requests for assistance from managers and staff at headquarters and the Decentralized Offices.
• Exchanges and/or provides information to banks, other financial institutions, donors and partners and provides information/clarification to auditors.
• Participates in the development of training and related training materials and promotes best practices and capacity development at headquarters and the Decentralized Offices.
• Participates on Finance Division teams, leads working groups, and/or collaborates with other divisions/offices on short-term assignments.

Specific Functions
• Provides guidance to internal parties on how compliance and sanctions can affect vendor management and payment processes and offer solutions to ensure the maintenance of operations.
• Serves as inter-agency focal point and advocates for FAO on financial compliance issues.
• Leads discussion with financial counter-parties, banks, mobile phone companies, other financial service providers to update contractual relationships in line with FAO’s changing operational modalities.
• Assists Share Service and Procurement teams to update and improve vendor filters to ensure sanctions compliance with our banking partners, including establishing Standard Operating Procedures for control, oversight and monitoring at both the organizational and individual transaction level.
• Participates in the testing of system upgrades/improvements
• Performs other duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
• Advanced university degree in accounting, finance, business administration or a related field.
• Five years of relevant experience in finance, accounting and/or business analysis.
• Working knowledge (proficient – level C) of English and limited knowledge (intermediate – level B) of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).

Competencies
• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills
• Extent and relevance of experience in accounting and in managing accounting functions.
• Excellent computer skills and ability to analyse problems and develop effective, practical solutions.
• Extent and relevance of experience in the system development of accounting and financial applications, particularly Oracle Financials.
• Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions is desirable
• Working knowledge (proficient – level C) of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) is considered a strong asset.
• An accountancy qualification as in CPA, CA etc. is desirable.