Finance Officer

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, CSF at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy.

Reporting Lines:

The Finance Officer reports to the Senior Finance Officer, CSF.

Technical Focus:

The Finance Officer is responsible for leading the Global Financial Management Unit (GFMU) team providing advice and support to Decentralized Offices on financial matters. The Finance Officer will also lead the Accounts Receivable (AR) team.

Key Results:

Planning and delivery of financial services in accordance with internal policies, UN financial guidelines and International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS).

Key Functions:

• Leads and/or participates in Finance Division teams•     Participates in, and provides financial expertise on, Organization-wide committees or working groups. and/or supervises staff
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Responds to requests for assistance and provides financial and regulatory advice and assistance to managers at headquarters and Decentralized Offices.
• 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.
• 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:

• Manages the work and strategic oversight of both the GFMU and AR units.
• Advises senior management promptly in sensitive and critical tasks.
• Communicates with relevant Member Nations under the authorization of senior management.

Candidates Will Be Assessed Against The Following:

Minimum Requirements:

• Advanced university degree in accounting, finance, business administration or a related field and seven 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 and nine years of relevant experience in similar fields and completion of a professional qualification in accountancy (Chartered Accountant [CA], Certified Public Accountant [CPA], Association of Chartered Certified Accountants [ACCA]) or the investment profession (Chartered Financial Analyst [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).

Source: https://jobs.fao.org/careersection/fao_external/jobdetail.ftl?job=2500015