Finance Officer

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; reports the financial status of the Organization and its activities to senior management, governing bodies and resource 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 (CSF) 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 Coordination and support to the monitoring and reporting functions within the Trust Fund Liaison Unit of the Finance Division.

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 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 • Monitors and analyses voluntary contributions received and the financial status of projects funded by voluntary contributions. • Analyses financial information on projects funded by voluntary contributions to ensure compliance with FAO accounting policies and procedures. • Provides guidance and advice on the review and clearance of funding agreements with resource partners for consistency with FAO Financial Regulations and Rules. • Provides guidance and support on the preparation of financial reports to resource partners. • Coordinates and monitors ongoing workload in the Trust Fund Liaison Unit and provides recommendations on the allocation of resources to ensure the effective and efficient work of the unit. • Coordinates and provides inputs on initiatives to improve the Organization’s systems, policies and procedures governing the management and implementation of voluntary funded projects. • Coordinates the monitoring and reporting on key performance indicators of the activities of the Trust Fund Liaison Unit.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________ 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 (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 level of experience of negotiating funding agreements with resource partners and knowledge of the main financial compliance obligations set out in these agreements. • Extent and level of 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. • Extent and relevance of knowledge of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems and financial reporting tools. • Experience in preparing summary financial statistics and reports. • Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions, is desirable.