Senior Finance Officer

1A011A01

• 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 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 (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 Accounting, Reporting and Analysis Branch of the Finance Division at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy.

Reporting Lines
The Senior Finance Officer reports to the Deputy Director, Finance Division.

Technical Focus
The Senior Finance Officer is responsible for preparing the Organization’s official financial statements and related financial reporting and analysis.

Key Results
• The planning and management of major financial service areas including investments, operations, and cross-Division coordination and secretariat services to support the effective management of FAO resources and safeguard the Organization’s assets in accordance with internal policies, UN financial guidelines and International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS).

Key Functions
• Plans and manages Finance Division service teams, leads and/or coordinates specialized financial activities, provides leadership/secretariat services to the Finance Committee, leads and/or participates oin Organization-wide committees or working groups, and/or supervises staff.
• Develops operational/work plans and oversees and/or coordinates financial service areas and related activities, monitors risks, investments and/or financial controls, and ensures compliance with FAO policies and regulatory frameworks.
• Directs the development and updating of the supporting operational, policy, accounting, control and/or risk management frameworks, involving the latest approaches and methodologies, streamlined business processes, new/revised financial policies, and related tools, systems, technologies and related procedures.
• Directs the preparation/review/analysis of statutory and/or management reports, financial statements, reports to donors as well as specific reports for Governing Bodies, donors and other partners.
• Analyses complex financial/investment/risk related issues and provides financial advice and assistance to managers at headquarters and the Decentralized Offices, the Finance Committee and/or Governing Bodies, etc.
• Represents FAO and develops consensus on financial matters with banks, other financial institutions, donors, partners, and UN financial executives, and provides information/clarification to auditors.
• Promotes best practices and capacity development at headquarters and the Decentralized Offices and leads and/or participates in related training.

Specific Functions
• Supervises the unit, manages the financial reporting and general ledger activities.
• Prepares official financial statements of the Organization.
• Oversees monthly and year-end closures in the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system.
• Prepares and monitors the dDivisional budget.
• Coordinates testing and implementations of improvements to the ERP system.
• Provides other financial reporting as required.
• Provides accounting advice to clients across the Organization.
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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. or a related field.
• Ten 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
• Leading, Engaging and Empowering Others
• Communication
• Partnering and Advocating
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
• Strategic Thinking

Technical/Functional Skills
• Extent and relevance of experience in accounting and in managing accounting functions, particularly involvement in year-end financial closures and financial statement preparation.
• Excellent computer skills and ability to analyze problems and develop effective, practical solutions.
• Extent and relevance of experience and knowledge of IPSAS and general principlesals of accounting.
• Demonstrated results-based management capabilities with an ability to manage programmes, budgets and human resources efficiently under shifting priorities.
• Ability to mobilize resources.
• Extent and relevance of knowledge of ERP systems and associated reporting tools.
• Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions.