The scope of this Call for Expressions of Interest is to find qualified affiliate workforce to support L2/L3 countries in the above functional area.  

Qualified affiliate workforce will be placed on an Internal Surge Team (IST). IST will enable the deployment of essential personnel to lead and support country-based emergency response on a short-term basis. These surge roles are designed to provide a punctual, time-bound support to country response and help establish longer-term mechanisms and processes. 
 
o    Support deployments are considered for affiliate workforce already in service of the Organization, including those on contract break with a new assignment planning to start over in the short term.
o    Applications will be screened based on the information provided in your online profile (see “How to Apply”). We strongly recommend that you ensure that the information is accurate and complete including employment record, academic qualifications and language skills.
o    Interested employees will be required to discuss upfront with their managers, who are encouraged to release employees to support. 
o    Selected candidates will receive a notification of their inclusion in the IST and will be requested to provide a pre-release agreement signed by the direct supervisor. From that moment they might be called for a surge support at any time, and in line with the duration of their contract. 
o    Selected candidates will be released of their function for a period which may vary according to country offices needs not exceeding three months, after which they return to their normal functions.
o    Surge support must be provided in person, candidates in the IST will be required to have the following documentation ready in case of upcoming mission (Valid passport, Laissez-passer, SSAFE training).
o    Affiliate workforce deployed will be reporting to the assigned supervisor for the duration of surge and the change in reporting lines will be reflected in GRMS.
o    Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted.

Organizational Setting

FAO country offices, headed by an FAO Representative, are assisting governments to develop policies, programmes and projects to achieve food security and to reduce hunger and malnutrition.

Reporting Lines

The Finance Specialist reports to the relevant manager at country level.

Technical Focus 

The Finance Specialist deployed for surge support will report to the Technical Officer, under the technical oversight of the FAO Representative in the country of assignment.

Tasks and responsibilities

•    Lead and organize the country office on financial and administrative matters
•    Supervise, oversee and/or contribute to the delivery of financial reporting, general accounting, project accounting, and/or investment activities/services in accordance with FAO policies and regulatory framework;
•    Identify operational, administrative and other constraints which may affect programme implementation and propose solutions to improve quality, timeliness and cost effectiveness;
•    Oversee preparation, monitoring and revision of the country office budget;
•    Ensure the maintenance of up-to-date financial records, including the preparation of bank and other reconciliation statements and supervises and conducts the year/biennium end closure of accounts;
•    Review accounts and ensure proper payment authorization including the preparation of appropriate expenditure
•    documents;
•    Lead the retrieval, entry, selection and analysis of data from a wide variety of sources, including FAO’s corporate administrative systems and data bases;
•    Coordinate the work and supervise the Finance and logistics teams;
•    Analyze financial/investment/risk related issues and provide financial advice and assistance to the country office Representative;
•    GRMS administrative Processing transactions and training staff

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•    Experience at the national or international level in providing financial management advisory services and/or managing staff and operational systems;

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills 

•    Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions, is desirable;
•    Experience in humanitarian contexts is desirable.