Finance Assistant G5 (Global Payments Solutions), Budapest, Hungary (Multiple Positions)

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Join us in shaping a future with Zero Hunger. We are seeking passionate individuals eager to embrace change and contribute to global projects.  You will join an innovative team and contribute to shaping the success of WFP’s recently established Global Payment Solutions office in Budapest.  World Food Programme, the world’s largest humanitarian organization, offers you the chance to work within a diverse and multicultural setting, and on impactful projects that directly transform millions of lives globally.

If you are eager to continue to build a career in finance and learn/acquire relevant experience, then this is the perfect opportunity for you.     

Join us in making a positive difference  

We are currently recruiting twelve (12) Finance Assistant (G5) positions for our WFP Global Payments Solutions Centre in Budapest. The selected candidates will be expected to start their roles at the beginning of June 2024. 

This call for applications will remain open for continuous submissions until the roles are filled. We encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible as we will be reviewing applications on an ongoing basis.  

This recruitment will also be used to build a roster of prequalified applicants for future opportunities for similar roles at the same or lower level in Budapest.  

WHO WE ARE

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), a highly prestigious, reputable and world’s largest humanitarian organization, operating in more than 120 countries and territories, bringing life-saving assistance in emergencies, building pathways to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change and supporting sustainable and resilient livelihoods for a world with zero hunger. 

At WFP, people are at the heart of everything we do and the vision of the future WFP workforce is one of diverse, committed, skilled, and high performing teams, selected on merit, operating in a healthy and inclusive work environment, living WFP’s values (Integrity, Collaboration, Commitment, Humanity, and Inclusion) and working with partners to save and change the lives of those WFP serves. 

To learn more about WFP, visit our website: UN World Food Programme (WFP) and follow us on social media to keep up with our latest news: YouTube, Linkedln, lnstagram, Facebook, Twitter. 

WHY JOIN US?

• WFP is a 2020 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate 

• WFP offers a highly inclusive, diverse and multicultural working environment 

• WFP invests in the personal & professional development of its employees through a range of trainings, accreditation, coaching, mentorship and other programs as well as through internal mobility opportunities 

• A career path in WFP provides an exciting opportunity to work across various country, regional and global offices around the world, and with passionate colleagues who work tirelessly to ensure that effective humanitarian assistance reaches millions of people across the globe 

• We offer an attractive compensation package and benefits (please refer to the Discover our Benefits section) 

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

In 2023, WFP established its Global Business Service Centre in Budapest which accommodates the Global Payment Solution (GPS) shared services facility of the Corporate Finance Division. The GPS consolidates WFP’s accounts payable function in Budapest to alleviate the workload of Country Offices in conducting routine tasks and allow them to focus on core mission activities, and delivers improved efficiency, enhanced data quality & controls, as well as better service delivery.   

This new office embodies a strategic response to enhance operational efficiency and is at the forefront of enhancing how we handle financial tasks. 

 
View the video for more about the Budapest Global Payments Solutions Centre:  GPS Introductory video 

JOB PURPOSE

WFP is hiring Finance Assistants for the Global Payments Solution in Budapest, Hungary. Finance Assistants provide support in the areas of: (1) General Accounting, (2) Accounts Payable, and (3) Quality Assurance (the area of Quality Assurance focuses on reviews of transaction processing, ensuring compliance with Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), as well as conducting detective control analysis and verification procedures).  

Under the general supervision of the Finance Officer, the Finance Assistant is responsible for supporting effective delivery of finance services to facilitate transparent and efficient utilization of financial resources.  

Comprehensive induction and training are offered, ensuring that valuable work experience is gained to enhance your career development.  

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive)

• Process a wide range of financial transactions using the Case Management Platform: conduct a thorough review of pertinent documentation to ensure its completeness, validity, and compliance with the current rules and regulations in place. 
• Process financial transactions in the corporate financial management system used for transaction processing and record-keeping based on case requests or scheduled activities. 
• Process various payable documents in the corporate system, ensuring accurate and timely recording of financial transactions. 
• Review offset receivables and confirm the net liability: verify the calculated amounts to ensure financial accuracy. 
• Verify the accuracy of cases and transactions ensuring alignment with internal controls (such as eligibility, policy compliance and duplicate checking) and promptly report any discrepancies or inaccuracies to supervisors. Take necessary steps to follow up on corrective actions.  
• Provide feedback to requesting offices on the status of cases and other standard questions. Escalate inquiries requiring more extensive analysis. 
• Maintain the Case Management Platform updated, and close completed cases to reflect accurate status. 
• Perform other assigned tasks as required. 

DESIRED EXPERIENCES AND MINIMUM ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS

Education 

• Completion of secondary education (high school diploma) is a minimum requirement. A post-secondary certificate in the related functional area is desirable. 

Experience: 

• Holders of a high school diploma require a minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience in finance and/or in a service center.  
• Alternatively, a completed university degree from an accredited institution in finance, project management, business studies (or equivalent qualifications) will be counted as 4 years’ work experience. This should be supplemented with a minimum of 1 year of relevant work experience.    
• Strong focus on accuracy and consistency, while processing large volume of transactions. 
• Working knowledge of ERP systems and preferably SAP Software is desirable. 
• Working knowledge of the Microsoft Suite of Products (MS Word, MS Excel, and MS PowerPoint). 
• Ability to work effectively with others in a multicultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity and inclusion. 
• Ability to deal with confidential and sensitive communication and information. 

Languages: 

• Fluency (level C) in English language  
• Knowledge of a second UN language is desirable (a second official UN language: Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish, and/or Portuguese (a WFP working language). 

WHEN JOINING WFP, YOU WILL RECEIVE

The selected candidates will be employed on a fixed-term contract, initially for a duration of two (2) years with a probationary period of one (1) year.   

WFP offers an attractive compensation and benefits package in line with ICSC standards (http://icsc.un.org ) including a competitive salary that is exempted from paying national income taxes in Hungary on United Nations emoluments. The salary scale is available at General Service Category – Annual Salaries and Allowances. To create a salary simulation, please check the salary calculator: SalCalcInt (undp.org). Various elements such as insurance premiums may differ based on the WFP regulatory framework and rules and applicable rates.  

DISCOVER OUR BENEFITS

• Holidays and various types of leave, including 30 days of annual leave per year for fixed-term positions.  
• A minimum of 16 weeks of parental leave.  
• Dependency allowance for children under 18 years old (up to 6 children). 
• 2nd UN language allowance , where fluency (level C) of another UN language has been demonstrated. 
• Enrollment into United Nations sponsored medical insurance plan with a global coverage, for the staff member and /or dependents.   
• United Nations pension plan. Enrollment into this plan is mandatory and replaces the Hungarian Social Security insurance.  
• Access to professional development and learning programs, online learning and creating a learning path.  
• Access to staff well-being support, incl. staff counselling and medical office. 
• Access to career development support, such as comprehensive learning platform, mentorship programs, language training and other materials and training sessions to guide you on your career journey with WFP. 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• Applicants must reside within commuting distance of the WFP Budapest office (Central Udvar, Wesselényi u. 16, 1077 Budapest), or be willing to relocate at their own cost before taking up the assignment. 
• Applicants must be nationals of Hungary or EU countries or be in possession of a valid work permit. WFP does not facilitate MFA accreditation for locally recruited staff. WFP shall not accept responsibility or liability to act as a sponsor or to otherwise facilitate the issuance, maintenance, renewal, extension, or conversion of the candidate’s residency and/or work permit for employment with WFP. Please attach a copy of your work permit to your application submission (if applicable).  

SELECTION PROCESS

Our selection process follows a structured approach and includes the following steps: 

• Application to vacancy announcement 
• Technical assessment 
• English language assessment 
• Competency-based interview 
• Background check 

Ready to make your mark at WFP? Submit your application now! 

REMINDERS BEFORE YOU SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION

• We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, language skills and UN Grade (if applicable)
• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application
• Please make sure you upload your professional CV in the English language
• Kindly note the only documents you will need to submit at this time are your CV and a copy of your residence permit (if applicable)
• Additional documents such as passport, recommendation letters, academic certificates, etc. may potentially be requested at a future time
• Please contact us at [email protected] in case you face any challenges with submitting your application
• Only shortlisted candidates will be notified

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WFP celebrates and embraces diversity. It is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all its employees and encourages qualified candidates to apply irrespective of race, colour, national origin, ethnic or social background, genetic information, gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, HIV status or disability.  WFP has a zero-tolerance approach to conduct such as fraud, sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to WFP’s standards of conduct and will therefore undergo rigorous background verification internally or through third parties. Selected candidates will also be required to provide additional information as part of the verification exercise. Misrepresentation of information provided during the recruitment process may lead to disqualification or termination of employment.

WFP will not request payment at any stage of the recruitment process including at the offer stage. Any requests for payment should be refused and reported to local law enforcement authorities for appropriate action.