Mid-Level
Finance Associate
Deadline for Applications August 24, 2026
Grade GS6
Staff Member / Affiliate Type General Service
Reason Temporary > Temporary Assignment/ Appointment
Hardship Level H (no hardship)
Family Type Family
Residential location (if applicable)
Target Start Date 2026-09-01
Target End Date 2027-08-30
Standard Job Description Finance Associate
Organizational Setting and Work Relationships The Finance Associate is normally supervised by a more senior finance colleague who defines general work objectives and provides necessary advice and guidance. The incumbent also refers to UNHCR Manuals and relevant policy papers on financial issues. The incumbent assists with the processing of financial transactions. S/he keeps frequent contact with staff at various levels in the office and with bank officials to exchange information. The incumbent may supervise some support staff.
All UNHCR staff members are accountable to perform their duties as reflected in their job description. They do so within their delegated authorities, in line with the regulatory framework of UNHCR which includes the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, UNHCR Policies and Administrative Instructions as well as relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, staff members are required to discharge their responsibilities in a manner consistent with the core, functional, cross-functional and managerial competencies and UNHCR's core values of professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity.
Duties
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Maintain financial records and monitoring systems to record and reconcile expenditures, balances, payments, statements and other data for day-to-day transactions and reports.
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Select and enter data from a wide variety of documents, verifying accuracy by checking sources, making necessary calculations and assuring inclusion of all relevant data.
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Prepare recurring reports as scheduled and special reports as required for budget preparation, audits or other reasons.
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Advise and assist staff members, experts and consultants on all aspects of allowances, salary advances, travel claims and other financial matters, calculate and authorize payments due for claims and services.
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Maintain liaison with officials of local banks to obtain day-to-day information on exchange and interest rates, changes in procedures and regulations and matters pertaining to maintenance of office bank accounts.
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Prepare detailed cost estimates and participate in budget analysis and projections as required.
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Initiate correspondence to verify data, answer queries and obtain additional information on accounts and financial transactions, as required.
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Verify that the financial transactions are correct and in accordance with UNHCR rules and procedures.
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Support the identification and management of risks and seek to seize opportunities impacting objectives in the area of responsibility. Ensure decision making in risk based in the functional area of work. Raise risks, issues and concerns to a supervisor or to relevant functional colleague(s).
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Perform other related duties as required.
Minimum Qualifications Education & Professional Work Experience Years of Experience / Degree Level G6 - 3 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 2 years relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher
Field(s) of Education Not applicable
Certificates and/or Licenses Accounting Business Administration, Finance (Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)
Relevant Job Experience Essential High level of IT affinity (MS Office applications, People Soft).
Desirable Knowledge and work experience of Cloud ERP. Good knowledge of UN/UNHCR Financial rules and procedures. Completion of UNHCR learning programmes or specific training relevant to the functions of the position.
Functional Skills FI-ERP Financial Management (SAP, Oracle, PeopleSoft, Workday and other) IT-Computer Literacy IT-Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) (Functional Skills marked with an asterisk* are essential)
Language Requirements For International Professional and Field Service jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English. For National Professional jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English and local language. For General Service jobs: Knowledge of English and/or UN working language of the duty station if not English.
All UNHCR workforce members must individually and collectively, contribute towards a working environment where each person feels safe, and empowered to perform their duties. This includes by demonstrating no tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment including sexual harassment, sexism, gender inequality, discrimination and abuse of power.
As individuals and as managers, all must be proactive in preventing and responding to inappropriate conduct, support ongoing dialogue on these matters and speaking up and seeking guidance and support from relevant UNHCR resources when these issues arise.
This is a Standard Job Description for all UNHCR jobs with this job title and grade level. The Operational Context may contain additional essential and/or desirable qualifications relating to the specific operation and/or position. Any such requirements are incorporated by reference in this Job Description and will be considered for the screening, shortlisting and selection of candidates.
Desired Candidate Profile The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is the UN agency mandated to protect and assist refugees, asylum-seekers, internally displaced people, returnees and stateless persons worldwide. Established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1950, UNHCR leads and coordinates international efforts to safeguard the rights and well-being of people forced to flee. It works to ensure that everyone has the right to seek asylum and find safety, while pursuing durable solutions through voluntary return, local integration, or resettlement in a third country. Today, UNHCR employs around 12,000 personnel in more than 120 countries, supporting and protecting millions of forcibly displaced and stateless people around the world.
The Global Service Centre (GSC) in Budapest supports UNHCR's worldwide operations by delivering critical services in Human Resources, Finance, Accounting, Supply, Procurement, Learning, and Information and Communication Technology (ICT). With more than 500 colleagues representing nearly 80 nationalities, the GSC provides a diverse and inclusive work environment where professionals from a wide range of backgrounds contribute directly to UNHCR's global mission of protecting and supporting people forced to flee.
UNHCR GSS Finance is looking for a Finance Associate on a temporary appointment for an initial period of 364 days.
The incumbent must have proven experience in:
Sound practical experience in financial transaction processing, such as accounts payable, accounts receivable, reconciliations, or supplier/banking master data management, preferably in an international or shared-service environment.
Experience working with financial modules of a major Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system such as Oracle or SAP, with an understanding of internal controls and day-to-day financial operations.
Proficiency in preparing financial reports, reconciliations, and audit-ready documentation.
Strong organizational, analytical, and communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively in a multicultural, team-oriented environment.
Experience collaborating with internal staff and external stakeholders.
The ideal candidate will also demonstrate:
Accuracy, attention to detail, and commitment to data quality.
Ability to work independently within delegated authority, exercising sound judgment in processing financial transactions and resolving exceptions.
Knowledge of accrual-based accounting standards (IPSAS or IFRS) and familiarity with financial policies and procedures.
Strong client-service orientation when assisting staff, suppliers, and other stakeholders with financial matters.
Capacity to adapt to new systems, contribute to process improvements, and assist in implementing financial controls.
Ability to mentor or supervise support staff, providing guidance and training when required.
Nature of Position:
Global Shared Services (GSS) provides location-independent transactional services in Finance, Payroll, Human Resources, Supply, and IT, to enable operations to focus on strategic and context-specific priorities globally.
The GSS located in Budapest serves as the backbone of the service, which is supported by satellite teams in Panama, Amman, Kuala Lumpur, Dakar, and Nairobi.
The GSS also works very closely with all enabling functions, DPM, DRM, DEPS, and ITS, to ensure policies and controls are implemented and delivered in an efficient manner.
The strategic direction and operating modalities of the service are governed by the GSS Advisory Board.
This position is part of the Finance section of the GSS and will report to the Finance Officer.
Along with the Standard Job Description, the primary responsibilities include the following tasks as well.
Draft, review, and maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and guidance notes for internal use.
Process financial transactions, including verifying source documents, entering data accurately, performing necessary calculations, and ensuring completeness of records.
Identify opportunities for process improvements and propose solutions to management.
Provide guidance, training, and supervision to support staff as required.
Perform other related duties to support the smooth operation of the finance function.
The incumbent refers to financial manuals, policy papers, and relevant guidelines on financial issues.
May supervise support staff and provide on-the-job guidance as needed.
Additional information:
Candidates are expected to be legally present in the country and have the right to work in Hungary at the time of their recruitment. UNHCR does not facilitate obtaining a visa for recruitment purposes.
This position is subject to local recruitment pursuant to staff rule 4.4 of the United Nations Staff Rules. Applicants for positions in the General Service and related categories must be authorized to work for the United Nations in the duty station where the position is located. Eligible applicants selected from outside the duty station are responsible for any expenses in connection with their relocation to the duty station. Staff members subject to local recruitment are not eligible for allowances or benefits exclusively applicable to international recruitment.
For G6 - 3 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 2 years relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent.
Remuneration:
In case of appointment, a competitive compensation and benefits package is offered, according to the years of relevant experience.
G6 - Salary range: NET 854,066.5 HUF - NET 1,000,381.9 HUF.
Benefits:
Annual leave: UNHCR staff members holding a temporary appointment will accrue annual leave at the rate of 1.5 working days for each full calendar months of service (i.e. 18 working days per year).
Pension system: Staff members holding a temporary appointment 6 months or more will become participants in the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund (UNJSPF). https://www.unjspf.org/
Health insurance plan: locally recruited staff members in Budapest will be enrolled in the Medical Insurance Plan (MIP), which is a self-administered insurance scheme. The plan is designed to provide financial protection against healthcare expenses and allows members to choose their own healthcare providers, subject to the plan's rules and coverage limits. The coverage is also optionally available for eligible family members.
Shortlisted candidates may be required to sit for a test. No late applications will be accepted. UNHCR is committed to diversity and welcomes applications from qualified candidates regardless of disability, gender identity, marital or civil partnership status, race, colour or ethnic and national origins, religion or belief, or sexual orientation. UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing, training or any other fees).
Functional Clearance This position doesn't require a functional clearance
Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level)
Desired languages
Additional Qualifications Skills FI-ERP Financial Management (SAP, Oracle, PeopleSoft, Workday and other), IT-Computer Literacy, IT-Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Education Certifications Accounting - Other, Business Administration - Other, Finance - Other Work Experience
UNHCR Salary Calculator https://icsc.un.org/Home/SalaryScales
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