Payroll Benefits Assistant

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 persons 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 staff are subject to the authority of the Director-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the Organization.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 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.

Organizational Setting

The Shared Services Centre (SSC) recommends and administers process management and procedures that need to be executed effectively; ensures the management of quality assurance activities associated with the transactional processes and implementation of service delivery; continuously improves the satisfaction of its customers, internal or external, while pursuing a continuous improvement agenda that will drive up service excellence while driving down the costs of service delivery through process standardization, process automation and self-service capabilities.

This position is located in the FAO Shared Services Centre and based in Budapest, Hungary.

Main Purpose

The Payroll Benefits Assistant (Insurance) plays a lead role in the coordination of insurance-related support services for the unit. He/ she performs a broad range of activities requiring in-depth analysis and interpretation of relevant policies, procedures and practices. The incumbent provides procedural guidance to managers and staff.

Supervision Received/Exercised

The Payroll Benefits Assistant (Insurance) reports to the Payroll Benefits Officer and works under the guidance of Payroll Associates. Work is performed autonomously, showing a high degree of initiative and independent judgment. Supervision received is focused on facilitating service delivery. The incumbent provides guidance and training to support staff in the unit.

Working Relationships

The Payroll Benefits Assistant (Insurance) maintains a wide range of contact with managers, staff and stakeholders inside and outside the unit. The incumbent collaborates closely with colleagues in other offices and the corporate services, ensuring the quality and consistency of payroll and benefits support services.

Key Functions/Results

• Prepares and verifies the inputs to the monthly payroll related to the enrolment/withdrawal of staff in medical insurance plans, working directly with the responsible requesting unit to ensure smooth, efficient processing.
• Contributes to the preparation of regular reports to monitor enrolment/withdrawal information.
• Executes database queries, identifying discrepancies and reporting back to the Payroll Benefits Unit (PBU) officers, identifying and/or performing correcting actions as directed.
• Prepares calculated deductions to the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund (UNJSPF) and handles exceptions and discrepancies.
• Executes database queries, identifying discrepancies and reporting back to the PBU officers, identifying and/or performing correcting actions as directed.
• Implements eligibility and rate calculation changes to the various entitlements supported by the Organization's payroll system.
• Updates data in the Payroll/Oracle Advanced Benefits system applying standard procedures.
• Prepares payroll output reports detailing payments to third parties (e.g., insurance providers, UNJSPF, FAO Credit Union, Staff Associations) after completion of the monthly payroll cycle.
• Performs specific exception actions (e.g. data corrections, overrides) related to the HR system in particular providing support to user related queries for issues arising through the use of the system.
• Takes corrective and retroactive actions related to payroll entitlements.

Impact Of Work

The incumbent's work impacts directly on the smooth and efficient operations of systems support activities of the unit. He/she plays a lead role in the coordination and provision of the support services for the successful achievement of the unit's mandate.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

Education: Secondary School Education.
Experience: Four years of systems support experience in the field of human resources including payroll, entitlements, benefits and/or in finance.
Languages: Working knowledge (proficient - level C) of English.
IT Skills: Good knowledge of MS Office applications, Internet and office technology equipment.

Residency: General Service Staff are recruited locally. To be eligible for this position, candidates must be nationals of the country of the duty station or possess an existing visa/work permit and reside within commuting distance of the duty station at the time of the application. "Commuting distance" means the distance within which staff members can travel daily between their place of work and their residence.

Competencies

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

Technical Skills

• Very good knowledge of corporate computerized financial/travel/human resources systems.

Desirable Qualifications And Skills

• Limited knowledge (intermediate - level B) of one of the other working languages of the Organization (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish). 
• Experience with the Human Resources Management System/Payroll applications of an Enterprise Resource Programme (ERP).
• Experience in payroll.
• Experience with the Global Resource Management System (GRMS), Payroll and/or AP applications of an ERP.
• Good knowledge of database applications using access or other database query products.

_______________________________________________________________________________________

FAO staff are expected to adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO,

Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency

_______________________________________________________________________________________

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
• FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview, processing)
• 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 

• The length of the appointment for internal FAO candidates will be established in accordance with applicable policies pertaining to extension of appointments

• Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances. 
• General Service Staff are recruited locally. To be eligible for this position, candidates must be nationals of the country of the duty station or possess an existing visa/work permit, and reside within commuting distance of the duty station at the time of the application."Commuting distance" means the distance within which staff members can travel daily between their place of work and their residence.
• No international benefits will be payable as selected candidates are recruited locally and paid in the local currency of the office location
• For additional information visit the FAO employment website:

REMUNERATION
A competitive compensation and benefits package is offered. For information on UN salaries, allowances and benefits, click on the following link: