FAO SSC Frequently Asked Questions

FAO Career Fair FAQ

FAO SSC Career Fair FAQ

What is FAO?

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger.

Our goal is to achieve food security for all and ensure people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. With 195 members – 194 countries and the European Union, FAO works in over 130 countries worldwide.

Do you thrive in a truly international and multicultural environment? One that respects and promotes diversity and best operates through teams of different people? Do you want to make a difference? If so, join us in creating a world without hunger and poverty!

What is FAO’s Shared Services Centre and its areas of operations?

FAO Shared Service Center (SSC), opened in Budapest in January 2008, was among the first established service centres of the UN. It provides centralized administrative services to all FAO offices worldwide. The Centre has approximately 180 employees, operating in five functional Units Finance, HR, Payroll, Travel and the Contact Centre.

SSC is now a centre of excellence focused on delivering high-quality and cost-effective administrative services for FAO globally. Our mission is to continuously improve the satisfaction of our customers. Our strategy is to drive performance through process simplification, standardization, automation, and selfservice capabilities while increasing service quality through improved communications.

What types of roles/contracts does FAO offer?

FAO’s workforce comprises different categories of staff reflecting various levels of responsibilities and duties; each category has its requirements. FAO provides opportunities for various categories of staff and non-staff functions:

International Professional (IP) staff are recruited internationally and serve in all duty stations globally. They hold leadership, managerial or specialist functions which require a level of technical expertise.

General Service (GS) staff are locally recruited and provide administrative and support services across all areas of the organization.

National Officer (NO) staff are nationals of the country in which they perform functions of a technical and professional nature.

Consultants and Personal Services Agreement (PSA) are recruited to perform specific tasks or services of an intermittent or discontinuous nature and of limited duration.

Volunteers, Interns, etc.

Learn more about FAO’s job categories on our website: FAO job categories.

How do I apply?

Here in FAO’s Shared Services Centre, we primarily recruit for the following contract types:

Personal Services Agreement

General Service staff

National Professional Officers

As a first step, visit FAO’s employment site to check our current vacancies for local opportunities filter for Budapest as the Duty Station. Once you have identified an opportunity you are interested in, create your candidate profile and apply through the employment site.

When completing your application form, please provide sufficient information to enable recruiters to evaluate your eligibility and suitability for the position.

Make sure you update your resume and attach a cover letter, if needed, outlining your motivation for the position.

Please use English as an application language and keep your email and phone number updated throughout the application process.

How is the recruitment process?

After the application deadline, the hiring office reviews all applicant profiles to assess the candidates' eligibility and suitability for the position based on the minimum requirements stipulated in the vacancy announcement.

Based on the shortlisted candidates, the hiring office may use assessment tools, such as (functional) written assessment before the competency-based interview, to arrive at a recommendation among the remaining candidates.

If you are successful at this stage, you will receive an invitation for an interview, which usually takes place via Microsoft Teams. Interviews in FAO are mostly blended contextual competency-based, where you will be asked to describe a relevant concrete example drawn from your personal work experience depicting FAOs competencies in the job context you are applying to. Interviews may also include motivational questions as well as technical questions. Check FAO’s Competency Framework

The selection process is guided by FAO Core Values: professionalism, respect, flexibility

and integrity. In addition, all FAO staff should hold to FAO’s competency framework and FAO Core values. Please refer to the position’s vacancy announcement for the required competencies.

What are the minimum work experience and educational requirements for locally recruited positions?

For our locally recruited contract types, the requirements are as below.

Level Minimum relevant work experience and education requirements

PSA 1 to 3 years and secondary education

G4 3 years and secondary education

G5 4 years and secondary education

G6 5 years and secondary education

NO-1 2 years and advanced university degree

NO-2 2 years and advanced university degree

What compensation and benefits are offered at FAO?

FAOs compensation system is governed by the UN Staff Rules and Regulations and the International Civil Service Commission. We compensate our employees based on a transparent salary scale, also offering a range of benefits and entitlements, some of which are as follows: medical and dental coverage, hybrid and flexible work arrangement, access to well-being and staff counsellor, access to learning and development opportunities

Moreover, in Hungary, staff are exempt from paying national income taxes. The FAO SSC office is located in Budapest downtown, District V, with excellent public transportation

Learn more about UN Compensation and benefits: ICSC website and UN General Staff and National Officer Staff salary scale Budapest Visit our career site: FAO Careers

For other career inquiries not covered by this FAQ, please write to SSCVacancies@fao.org.