UNESCO Careers: Finance and Administrative Officer

UNESCO has 193 Member States and seven Associate Member States. It is governed by the General Conference and the Executive Board. The Secretariat, headed by the Director-General, implements the decisions of these two bodies.

UNESCO works to create the conditions for dialogue among civilizations, cultures and peoples, based upon respect for commonly shared values. It is through this dialogue that the world can achieve global visions of sustainable development encompassing observance of human rights, mutual respect and the alleviation of poverty, all of which are at the heart of UNESCO’S mission and activities.



The broad goals and concrete objectives of the international community – as set out in the internationally agreed development goals, including the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) – underpin all UNESCO’s strategies and activities. Thus UNESCO’s unique competencies in education, the sciences, culture and communication and information contribute towards the realization of those goals.

UNESCO’s mission is to contribute to the building of peace, the eradication of poverty, sustainable development and intercultural dialogue through education, the sciences, culture, communication and information. The Organization focuses, in particular, on two global priorities:

• Africa
• Gender equality

We seek qualified candidate for the below position

Job title: Finance and Administrative Officer 
Organisational unit : UNESCO Field Offices 
Duty station  Multiple Duty Stations (*)  
Grade  P-1/P-2 

Job Description.

The Finance and Administrative Officer is responsible for providing a range of administrative management support activities to the assigned UNESCO Duty Station. He/She reports directly to the Director/ Head of Office with overall guidance from Bureau of Financial Management (BFM). As Certifying Officer, he/she will have a functional reporting line to the Chief Financial Officer on internal financial control matters. He/She will receive policy guidance/instructions from the Bureau of Financial Management, Human Resources Management (HRM), Bureau of Field Coordination (BFM) and Programme Sector Assistant Director Generals on their respective areas of responsibilities.

Main Responsibilities 

• ƒ Advise and support the Director/Head of Office or the designate on all administrative, budget, financial, human resources, premises-related and security matters within the Office. 
• ƒ Ensure compliance with UNESCO policies, rules and regulations, and procedures in terms of budget, financial and human resources, as well as with Host Country Agreement provisions.  
• ƒ Advise the Director/Head of Office  or the designate in budget preparation (C/5 documents and related work plans, extra budgetary programmes and project documents) and provide relevant information as required. 
• ƒ Monitor the execution of Regular Budget and extra-budgetary resources and advise the Director/Head of Office or the designate accordingly on their revisions: administer day-to-day budgetary issues within the Office, ensure appropriate budgetary control, validate and process requests made to BFM for allotments and fund transfers, and provide relevant information as requested. 

Profile  ƒ

• University degree in finance, business administration, accounting, or other related fields.  
• ƒ 2 to 4 years of relevant experience in at least two of the following areas: administration, finance, accounting or human resources; one year acquired at international level would be an advantage.   
• ƒ Strong analytical and problem-solving skills; ability to interpret rules and administrative guidelines and evaluate routine and non-routine human resources, financial, and budgetary issues. 
• ƒ Good communication (oral and written) skills; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with senior management and people of different nationalities and cultural backgrounds. 
• Ability to take initiative; discretion and maturity of judgement. 
• ƒ Solid computer skills; proficiency in EXCEL; knowledge of ERP, preferably SAP.  
• ƒ Excellent knowledge of English or French, good working knowledge of the other language would be an asset. Knowledge of other official UN languages would be an advantage.  

A written test may be used in the evaluation of candidates.


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