Title:  Financial Verification Officer

Requisition ID: 5709 
Grade: P3 
Country: Austria 
Duty Station: Vienna 
Category: Professional and Higher 
Type of Job Posting: Internal and External
Employment Type: Staff-Full-time
Appointment Type: Fixed Term - 100 series
Indicative Minimum Net Annual Salary: 105,037 USD 
Application Deadline: 19-June-2025, 11:59 PM (Vienna, Austria time)

Vacancy Announcement
Female candidates from all Member States are particularly encouraged to apply.

Organizational Context

The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) is the specialized agency of the United Nations that promotes industrial development for poverty reduction, inclusive globalization and environmental sustainability. The mission of UNIDO, as described in the Lima Declaration adopted at the fifteenth session of the UNIDO General Conference in 2013 as well as the Abu Dhabi Declaration adopted at the eighteenth session of UNIDO General Conference in 2019, is to promote and accelerate inclusive and sustainable industrial development (ISID) in Member States. The relevance of ISID as an integrated approach to all three pillars of sustainable development is recognized by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which will frame United Nations and country efforts towards sustainable development. UNIDO’s mandate is fully recognized in SDG-9, which calls to “Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation”. The relevance of ISID, however, applies in greater or lesser extent to all SDGs. Accordingly, the Organization’s programmatic focus is structured in four strategic priorities: Creating shared prosperity; Advancing economic competitiveness; Safeguarding the environment; and Strengthening knowledge and institutions.

Each of these programmatic fields of activity contains a number of individual programmes, which are implemented in a holistic manner to achieve effective outcomes and impacts through UNIDO’s four enabling functions: (i) technical cooperation; (ii) analytical and research functions and policy advisory services; (iii) normative functions and standards and quality-related activities; and (iv) convening and partnerships for knowledge transfer, networking and industrial cooperation. Such core functions are carried out in Divisions/Offices in its Headquarters, Regional Offices and Hubs and Country Offices.

Under the overall direction of the Director General, and in close collaboration with all relevant organizational entities within UNIDO, the Directorate of Corporate Services and Operations (COR), headed by a Managing Director, is responsible and accountable for the management of UNIDO’s human, financial and material resources, ensuring the capacity of the Organization to fulfil its mandate. The Directorate oversees a full range of financial, human resources, learning and staff development, procurement, information technology and general services to meet the service support needs of the Organization as a whole. Additionally, the Directorate houses the Gender Equality and Empowerment of Women Unit and the Ethics and Accountability Unit as well as oversees their operations. Furthermore, the Directorate provides guidance on personnel security and safety matters and ensures the overall coordination of UNIDO’s response in this regard. The Directorate houses the Gender Equality and Empowerment of Women Unit (COR/GEW) and the Ethics and Accountability Unit (COR/EAU) as well as the following Divisions: Financial Services (COR/FIN); Human Resources Services (COR/HRS); Learning and Development Services (COR/LED); Procurement Services (COR/PRO); Asset Management and Logistics Services (COR/AML); Information Technology and Digitalization Services (COR/DIG); and Facility Management Services (COR/BMS). The Directorate also ensures close coordination and collaboration among the units and services as well as with the other Directorates and Offices in UNIDO.

The position is located under the Financial Services unit Under the supervision of the Managing Director of the Directorate of Corporate Services and Operations in the office of the Director of Finance (COR/FIN/OD)

The Financial Verification Officer works under the overall guidance of the Director/Chief, Division of COR; the direct supervision of the Chief of the Unit; and in close collaboration with the colleagues to support the mandate of the Division.

At the P3 level, the incumbent is expected to deliver: (a) work from a seasoned analyst; (b) in creating an enabling environment for work which is solid and anchored to achieving results; (c) in building relationships which contributes to relationship management and (d) in achieving results within a professional team. The measure of success is in consistent and dependable delivery of results.

The UNIDO Staff Performance Management System reinforces the collaboration within formal units as well as among cross-functional teams. In this context, the incumbent collaborates with his/her supervisor and colleagues, within as well as outside the unit. Within the formal teams, the incumbent may be expected to backstop other team members as required.

Staff -members are subject to the authority of the Director-General and in this context all staff are expected to serve in any assignment and duty station as determined by the needs of the Organization.

1. Main Responsibilities

As a team-leader or member, whether on a divisional, cross-functional or cross sectoral level, the incumbent shall carry out the following generic activities to achieve the results of the Division and the outcomes of Department:

Implementation and maintenance of cost recovery policies and processes

The Financial Verification Officer supports the Director, COR/FIN, in the regular review of the implementation of the Organization’s Full Cost Recovery policy and its related processes, particularly in the administration of voluntary contributions. Key responsibilities include:

• • Conducting regular compliance checks and verifications to ensure adherence to Full Cost Recovery policies and procedures.
  • Providing ongoing advice to project managers, support staff, and internal service providers.
  • Developing, updating, and maintaining a centralized database for cost recovery process outputs.

Financial control and verification relevant to grant agreements:

The Financial Verification Officer supports the Director, COR/FIN, in financial control and verification related to grant agreements, ensuring that appropriate processes and mechanisms are in place to guarantee that funds provided under a grant are used appropriately, efficiently, and in compliance with the agreed-upon terms. Key responsibilities include:

• • Assisting in the establishment of adequate financial controls for grants.
  • Ensuring compliance with funding partner requirements related to the financial management of grants.
  • Monitoring adherence to the Grants Manual and procedures for grant verification.
  • Providing expert advice on strengthening the control environment to ensure that ineligible costs are not reported to funding partners.

Bank Master Data Management: 

As a focal point for the maintenance of bank master data, the Financial Verification Officer is responsible for:

• • Ensuring the accurate maintenance of bank account details for staff, non-staff, vendors, and financial institutions within the UNIDO ERP system.
  • Participating in the input, validation, and verification of bank data from the Bank Information Form (BIF) into SAP, ensuring alignment with current standards and managing discrepancies.
  • Coordinating exception processes, including returned or rejected payments and master data mismatches, in collaboration with relevant functional areas.
  • Conducting regular data quality checks, including cleansing and correcting duplicate or erroneous entries to maintain data integrity and accuracy.
  • Generating and analyzing reports on bank master data management activities, identifying areas for improvement, and implementing corrective actions.
  • Maintaining a clear and auditable trail of interventions related to bank master data.

Policy and Procedure Development: 

While contributing to financial control and verification tasks, the Financial Verification Officer supports efforts related to:

• • Assisting in drafting and maintaining policies, standard operating procedures, and guidelines for Full Cost Recovery, financial validation and verification processes, and Bank Master Data management.
  • Participating in the evaluation and implementation of financial policies and system-related projects to help improve operational efficiency and effectiveness.
  • Supporting the development and implementation of procedures for the accurate input, maintenance, validation, and verification of UNIDO Full Cost Recovery data and ERP bank master data.
  • Reviewing and suggesting updates to operational processes to enhance efficiency and align with industry best practices.
  • Helping to ensure compliance with UNIDO’s regulatory framework, including policies and standards related to Full Cost Recovery, financial control and verification, and bank master data management.

Training and Development:

• • Acting as the technical focal point for internal and external stakeholders regarding Full Cost Recovery, Financial verification and Bank Master Data management.
  • Designing relevant standard operating procedures; preparing guidelines, manuals and instructions.

Other duties as assigned:

• • Preparing reports and analyses for internal and external audits, responding to inquiries and implementing recommendations as necessary.
  • Performing other related duties and assignments as required by the Director of the Department.

3. Core Values and Competencies

Core Values

WE LIVE AND ACT WITH INTEGRITY: work honestly, openly and impartially.

WE SHOW PROFESSIONALISM: work hard and competently in a committed and responsible manner.

WE RESPECT DIVERSITY: work together effectively, respectfully and inclusively, regardless of our differences in culture and perspective.

Key Competencies

WE FOCUS ON PEOPLE: cooperate to fully reach our potential –and this is true for our colleagues as well as our clients. Emotional intelligence and receptiveness are vital parts of our UNIDO identity.

WE FOCUS ON RESULTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES: focus on planning, organizing and managing our work effectively and efficiently. We are responsible and accountable for achieving our results and meeting our performance standards. This accountability does not end with our colleagues and supervisors, but we also owe it to those, we serve and who have trusted us to contribute to a better, safer and healthier world.

WE COMMUNICATE AND EARN TRUST: communicate effectively with one another and build an environment of trust where we can all excel in our work.

WE THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX AND INNOVATE: To stay relevant, we continuously improve, support innovation, share our knowledge and skills, and learn from one another.

3. Minimum Organizational Requirements

Education: Advanced university level (master’s or equivalent) degree in business administration, international relations, finance, accounting or related field of expertise, is required.

Experience:

• At least five (5) years of professional experience in financial and accounting operations, with focus on financial management and cost recovery procedures and techniques at international level is required.
• Progressive experience in financial controlling, verification and advisory services, preferably in an international organization or a public sector is required.
• Experience in an international organization, such as within the UN system, is desirable. 

• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret and evaluate complex data and information are required.
• Excellent written communication skills, with the ability to convey information clearly and concisely, are essential.
• Familiarity with ERP systems, particularly the SAP financial module, as well as experience in coordinating work planning, monitoring, and reporting processes, is highly desirable.

Languages:  Fluency in written and spoken English is required.  Fluency in or working knowledge of other United Nations language(s), is desirable.

NOTE: 

For further information on salaries, refer to the International Civil Service Commission website: https://icsc.un.org/

Employees of UNIDO are expected at all times to uphold the highest standards of integrity, professionalism and respect for diversity, both at work and outside. Only persons who fully and unconditionally commit to these values should consider applying for jobs at UNIDO.

All applications must be submitted online through the Online Recruitment System. Correspondence will be undertaken only with candidates who are being considered at an advanced phase of the selection process. Selected candidate(s) may be required to disclose to the Director General the nature and scope of financial and other personal interests and assets in respect of themselves, their spouses and dependents, under the procedures established by the Director General.

Visit the UNIDO careers site for details on how to apply: https://careers.unido.org/ 

NOTE: The Director General retains the discretion to make an appointment to this post at a lower level.

Notice to applicants:
UNIDO does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. If you have received a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Vacant positions within UNIDO are advertised on the official UNIDO website. Should you have any questions concerning persons or companies claiming to be recruiting on behalf of UNIDO and requesting payment of a fee, please contact: recruitment@unido.org