Finance Officer

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; reports the financial status of the Organization and its activities to senior management, governing bodies and resources partners; ensures the safe custody of the Organization's financial assets; oversees financial operations wherever performed in the Organization; and ensures the timely recording of receipts and disbursements in accordance with established policies and procedures.

The post is located in the Trust Fund Liaison Unit of the Finance Division at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy.

Reporting Lines The Finance Officer reports to the Senior Finance Officer in the Trust Fund Liaison Unit.

Technical Focus Review and clearance of financial aspects of funding agreements with resource partners and providing financial management support and reporting on voluntary contributions to resource partners, management and External Auditors.

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 in Finance Division teams, leads working groups and/or collaborates with other divisions on short-term assignments.

Specific Functions • Provides guidance and advice to various organizational units during the negotiation and implementation of project funding agreements. • Reviews financial aspects of agreements with resource partners to ensure that they are in line with FAO rules and procedures. • Ensures that financial reporting to resource partners is prepared and submitted in accordance with the terms of the funding agreement. • Monitors ongoing cash requirements for projects in accordance with the terms of funding agreements and FAO rules and procedures. • Supervises and mentors other team members. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements • Advanced university degree in accounting, finance, business administration or a related field and five 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, seven years of relevant experience and completion of professional qualification in accountancy (CA, CPA, ACCA) or investment professional (CFA). • Working knowledge (proficient - level C) of English and limited knowledge (intermediate - level B) of one of the other official FAO languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian and 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. • Experience in negotiating funding agreements with resource partners and knowledge of the main financial compliance obligations set out in these agreements. • Experience in preparing financial reports to resource partners for projects funded by voluntary contributions and of providing financial guidance and support to project budget holders during their implementation. • Experience in use of enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, excellent computer skills and ability to analyse problems and develop effective, practical solutions. • Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions, is desirable.