Finance Support

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through the 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.
FAO is a specialized agency of the UN that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. FAO's goal is to achieve food security for all and ensure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. With 195 Members (194 countries and the European Union), FAO works in over 130 countries worldwide.
FAO Country Offices, working under overall corporate guidance and in line with the Strategic Framework, offer policy advice and support to countries in the mandated areas of FAO, facilitated through partnerships, resources and an active country programme to provide technical assistance, develop capacities and deliver core services while fully observing international standards of accountability to establish leadership and strengthen impact at the country level.
The offices deliver on the programmatic priorities of each country as agreed in their respective Country Programming Frameworks (CPFs) aligned to the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) and ensure effective and efficient operations with adequate human and financial resources.

Specifically, FAO Country Offices\:
• advocate, inform and support policies and investments in the areas of FAO’s mandate;
• provide technical assistance and deliver core services;
• assist and catalyse partnership and resource mobilization activities to support agrifood systems transformation;
• position FAO as the specialized/authoritative technical agency in food and agriculture and agrifood systems transformation;
• ensure risk-smart and accountable operations and management.

The position is located at FAO Representation Office, Islamabad.

The position is at SBIII-SC6 level

Reporting Lines
Under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative and direct supervision of Assistant FAO Representative (Administration) in Pakistan, the incumbent shall perform and be responsible for the below mentioned duties

Technical Focus
The position will focus on processing and verifying payments, maintaining accurate financial and budget records, ensuring compliance with FAO rules and regulations, and providing accounting and financial support to projects and stakeholders

Tasks and responsibilities
• Screen and check all payments following standard operating procedures and submit these for processing. Dispatch cheques and funds transfer letters and file Disbursement Vouchers.
• Process claims or invoices and other payments, Mobile Wallet (MWP) requests in line with relevant regulations and instructions;
• Ensure supporting documents and information required to justify payment, including receipts, banking details, etc., are complete before releasing payments;
• Settle invoices and claims after verification of supporting documents;
• Compile and verify budget and accounting data by checking files, calculating costs and estimating anticipated expenditures; following authorization, make disbursements from petty cash as per delegation, maintain records of such disbursements and balance accounts as required;
• Provide support in ensuring compliance of all documentation with FAO rules and regulations in relation to stakeholders with whom Letters of Agreement are signed
• Assist in the preparation of periodic accounting records, finance and budget documents; record receipts and disbursements (ledgers, cash books, vouchers, etc.);
• Reconcile data for recurring or special reports; maintain contacts with local banks, verify account status and currency exchange rates and obtain approval for cheque clearance;
• Support the Unit’s and Project staff on all accounting, budget or financial queries.
• Monitor operational advances and other receivables and ensure timely clearance of outstanding items, taking corrective follow up actions where required, ensure that all Operational advances are reconciled periodically.
• Organize appropriate filing system; maintain records and files in accordance with FAO standard filing system.
• Maintain contacts and liaise with relevant project stakeholders, as needed;
• Make necessary entries in GRMS
• Perform any other task assigned by the relevant supervisor

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements
• Advance university degree in Business Administration and Finance.
• Minimum 5 years of relevant experience in related function
• Working knowledge (level C) of English

FAO Core Competencies
• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills
• Very good knowledge of the essential elements of a range of finance, accounting and budget-related activities
• Extent and relevance of experience in a corporate financial system
• Thorough knowledge of double-entry bookkeeping and experience in accounting and dual currency transactions.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION