JOB DESCRIPTION

H (no hardship)

Family

Family

GS6

General Service

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

2025-07-28

August 18, 2025

Payroll Associate

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Payroll Associate reports to a Payroll supervisor, and s/he is responsible for providing quality Global Payroll services in a timely manner. The incumbent works independently on regular assignments with an oversight from the supervisor, who provides general guidance and work plans for identifying work priorities and appropriate approaches.

The Payroll Associate maintains regular contact on a working level on routine issues with other Units, Sections, Field Offices, UN agencies and third parties. The incumbent is in charge of the payroll data of staff members at different levels, based on alpha distribution among other Payroll Associates, to answer queries and provide information as necessary and appropriate.

The confidentiality of all personnel and payroll matters and the need to deal with clients in a courteous and efficient manner are salient features of this position.

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
– Check the accuracy and validity of input calculations/coding to ensure that such entries are in line with staff and financial rules and/or other administrative issuance.
– Verify and update salary scales, allowances and other payroll master data, banking details of each staff member in the Global Payroll system.
– Maintain statistical reports and queries; check electronic data output and take corrective measures in case errors are identified. These involve payroll reports, earnings and deduction registers, pay slips, and payment details.
– Prepare Account Payable Vouchers (AP Voucher) to staff members for out-of-cycle payments and to third parties.
– Issue separation notifications for the UNJSPF in a timely manner.
– Upon verification of information/documentations in relation to separation of a staff member, calculate the separation entitlements that may be due to a staff member or recover any outstanding debts owed to the Organization by the staff member.
– Assist in the annual reconciliation of the Pension Fund Ledger account; analyse pension reports received from the UNJSPF and act accordingly.
– Respond to queries from staff members on payroll related matters.
– Run and verify reports, prepare calculations, make/amend data entries, submit memoranda/attestations/journal & payment vouchers to the supervisor for approval.
– Stay abreast of changes in human resources policies as they relate to benefits and allowances.
– Ensure proper electronic filing.

– 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).
– Perform other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications
Years of Experience / Degree Level
For 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
Economics;
Business Administration
Finance;
Office Management;
Accounting.
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience

Essential
Good knowledge in payroll procedures, processes and exposure to provision of support services in an International Organization.
Good communicator with strong interpersonal skills to deal with S/M of different cultural and educational backgrounds.
Desirable
Experience in UNHCR field operations. Good knowledge in UN Financial rules, pass UN Finance examination.

Functional Skills
*IT-Computer Literacy
*IT-Microsoft Office Productivity Software
*CO-Cross-cultural communication
(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.

The successful candidate should possess proven experience in Payroll with knowledge of UN administrative, human resources or financial management. She/he is expected to be familiar with applicable policies, procedures, regulations and practices to ensure their coherent and consistent application as well as compliance. Knowledge of UN common system of salaries and entitlements is essential, but the successful candidate must also bring with them very good working knowledge of the below areas:
– Proficiency in advanced Microsoft Excel, including complex formulas, pivot tables, and data analysis tools.
– Working knowledge of SQL.
– Proven skill in defining salary plans and populate relevant data as per ICSC guidelines.
– Demonstrated ability to update UN salary scale and allowance information in the Workday compensation module, and
– Demonstrated ability and experience to assign and/or rectify individual staff members’ compensation in the Workday compensation module.
Additionally, the successful candidate should have a strong commitment to learning, be a team player, and possess good planning and organizing skills. A strong command of English is mandatory, and knowledge of a second UN language is desirable.

Additional information:
Candidates must be legally present in Hungary at the time of application, recruitment and hire.

For G6 – 3 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 2 years relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher.

NOTE: A completed and relevant minimum first level university degree (equivalent to BA or higher) shall count in full (100%) towards the required years of work experience. Priority will be given to eligible applicants meeting the full requirements.

Remuneration:
In case of appointment, a competitive compensation and benefits package is offered.

G6 – Salary range: NET 806,457 HUF – NET 944,644 HUF.

Benefits:

Annual leave: UNHCR staff members holding a fixed-term appointment will accrue annual leave at the rate of 2.5 working days for each full calendar months of service (i.e. 30 working days per year).

Pension system: Staff members holding a fixed-term appointment will become participants in the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund (UNJSPF).

Health insurance plan: locally recruited staff members in Budapest will be enrolled in the Medical Insurance Plan (MIP). 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).

English

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Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

To view occupational safety and health considerations for this duty station, please visit this link:

https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel

Nature of Position:

The Payroll Associate reports to the Payroll Specialist or the (Senior) Business Analyst within the HRSS Global Payroll Section. This role is responsible for delivering high-quality global payroll services in a timely and accurate manner. The incumbent operates independently on routine tasks, under the general supervision and guidance of their manager, who provides direction on priorities and methodologies.

The incumbent will be responsible of updating payroll master data such as the salary scales, staff allowances, Post Adjustment multipliers and similar information. He/She will work on the Compensation module to update individual staff member compensation. Furthermore, the incumbent needs to assist in analyzing staff payroll queries and provide information as necessary and appropriate. The confidentiality of all personnel and payroll matters and the need to deal with clients in a courteous and efficient manner are salient features of this position.

Living and Working Conditions:

 

Additional Qualifications

Skills

CO-Cross-cultural communication, IT-Computer Literacy, IT-Microsoft Office Productivity Software

Certifications

Accounting – Other, Business Administration – Other, Economics – Other, Finance – Other, Office Management – Other

Competencies

Accountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Judgement & decision making, Organizational awareness, Planning & organizing, Teamwork & collaboration, Technological awareness

https://icsc.un.org/Home/SalaryScales

Compendium

Additional Information

Please peruse Desired Candidate Profile before applying.
Knowledge of a second UN language is an advantage.
Applicants may be required to sit for a written test.

This position doesn”t require a functional clearance