Finance Specialist

Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency

IMPORTANT NOTICE\: Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based on date and time settings of your personal device

• FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and culture.
• Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented Members and person with disabilities are encouraged to apply;
• Everyone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct, and to uphold FAO's values
• FAO, as a Specialized Agency of the United Nations, has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct that is incompatible with its status, objectives and mandate, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination　　
• All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
• All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality

FAO’s commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations.

Organizational Setting

The Plant Production and Protection Division (NSP) enables the transition to more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable plant production and protection through optimization and minimization. This requires the integration and harmonization of all appropriate crop production policies and practices to increase production in a sustainable manner in order to eradicate hunger while preserving the natural resources and environment for future use.
The International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) is an international agreement on plant health with over 185 contracting parties, and 10 regional plant protection organizations, which aims to protect the world's cultivated and wild plants by preventing the introduction and spread of plant pests. The IPPC is governed by the Commission on Phytosanitary Measures (CPM). The IPPC Secretariat is hosted by FAO within NSP and supports the development and implementation of policies and activities of the CPM, and carrying out such other functions as may be assigned. One of the main functions of the Secretariat is to facilitate the implementation of the Convention as well as the development and implementation of International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPMs) to fulfil the IPPC's mandates. A consultant is engaged by the Organization to provide expertise, skills or knowledge for carrying out specific tasks or projects, which are short-term by nature. The duration of the assignment can vary from 1 month up to 11 months in a 12-month period. The possibility of extension is subject to satisfactory performance, and, depending on the secretariat’s
resources and needs.

The objective of the Call for Expression of interest for Consultants and PSAs is to attract talents to populate the IPPC
Experts Roster. Experts who are registered in the Roster are available for consideration whenever relevant opportunities
arise.

Reporting Lines

The finance specialist reports to the IPPC Secretary.

Technical Focus

The incumbent will provide technical, strategic, and operational financial and budgetary support within the IPPC Secretariat, serving as a critical support pillar for the Secretariat’s Executive Management Team. The focus is on ensuring the financial integrity, sustainability, and transparency of global plant health initiatives and the successful execution of IPPC Secretariat work plan deliverables. The incumbent is responsible for harmonizing administrative, budgetary, and programming processes to ensure the IPPC Secretariat’s work plan is delivered efficiently, maximizes resource utilization, and remains fully aligned with the FAO Strategic Framework.

Tasks and responsibilities

•    Coordinate and monitor financial activities related to the IPPC Secretariat Work Plan and Budget.
•    Act as liaison between programme and finance teams to ensure continuity, accuracy and compliance in grant management processes, financial systems used and reporting.
•    Lead the development of the IPPC Secretariat work plan and budget, in collaboration with IPPC Secretariat team leads, the CPM Bureau and the Financial Committee. 
•    Monitor the financial management of funds to ensure consistency with approved work plans, budgets, and actual implementation.
•    Prepare cost estimates, budget proposals, and financial projections to support short- and medium-term planning.
•    Extract, consolidate and analyse financial data (expenditures, assets and liabilities) from FAO corporate systems (FPMIS) to ensure accuracy and compliance.
•    Evaluate ongoing financial support requirements, adapt financial service provision to evolving programme needs, and resolve operational financial issues.
•    Develop the annual IPPC Financial Report and contribute to reporting under the FAO Strategic Framework 2022–2031.
•    Coordinate efforts related to projects’ sustainable funding solution initiative and maintain close cooperation with IPPC governing bodies, partners and relevant stakeholders.
•    Contribute to the preparation and refinement of proposals on the ePhyto long-term sustainable funding solution for submission 
•    Contribute to resource mobilization activities, including the development of new projects, business proposals and financial analyses.
•    Provide procedural guidance and financial advice to IPPC managers and staff.
•    Perform other related duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•    University or technical degree relevant to Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, Economics, or a related field.
•    For Consultants Advanced university degree from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, Economics or a related field. Consultants with a bachelor's degree need two additional years of relevant professional experience.
•    For PSAs\: University degree from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, Economics, or a related field. Consultants with a bachelor's degree need two additional years of relevant professional experience.
•    At least three (3) years of relevant professional experience in finance, accounting, budget management, or financial operations in project or programme contexts.
•    Proven experience liaising with multiple stakeholders.
•    Working knowledge of English.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

•    Knowledge of IPPC work and its standard setting procedure.
•    Proficient user of office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.).
•    Ability to prepare clear and concise financial statements and donor reports.
•    Knowledge of spreadsheet and data analysis.
•    Knowledge of FAO financial rules and regulations.
•    Good knowledge of MS Office applications. Ability to enter data, perform queries, prepare ad hoc reports and analyses, and present results in an appropriate format. 
•    In-depth experience  in financial operations, cash management, and/or internal controls.
•    Strong interpersonal, facilitation, and motivational skills, with a proven ability to work as part of a team.
•    Capacity to meet tight deadlines and work independently with minimal supervision.

HOW TO APPLY

• To apply, visit the recruitment website at Jobs at FAO and complete your online profile. We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, and language skills
• Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile
• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application

• Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http\://www.whed.net/. These qualifications should be in alignment with the International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED) mappings. 

• Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments and authorization to conduct verification checks of past and present work, character, education, military and police records to ascertain any and all information which may be pertinent to the employment qualifications
• Incomplete applications will not be considered
• Personal information provided on your application may be shared within FAO and with other companies acting on FAO’s behalf to provide employment support services such as pre-screening of applications, assessment tests, background checks and other related services. You will be asked to provide your consent before submitting your application. You may withdraw consent at any time, by withdrawing your application, in such case FAO will no longer be able to consider your application
• Only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal will be considered
• Your application will be screened based on the information provided in your online profile
•  We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date.

If you need help or have queries, please create a one-time registration with FAO’s client support team for further assistance\: https\://fao.service-now.com/csp

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