ARE YOU UP TO THE CHALLENGE?
Selected candidates may be asked to serve in a difficult duty station upon appointment. Please visit our videos on the corporate recruitment website to get a taste of life as WFP worker: http://www.wfp.org/about/vacancies
Within delegated authority, the Finance Officer will be responsible for the following duties:
• Manage the Finance, Administration, Non-Food Procurement, ICT and Security functions in the Country Office;
• Advise and support the Division/Regional Manager and/or Country Directors and/or Deputy Country Director on financial and administrative matters;
• Ensure compliance with WFP financial policies, procedures, rules and regulations ;
• Ensure transparent and efficient utilization of WFP’s financial resources ;
• Provide regular and ad hoc financial information to Division/Regional Managers and/or Country Directors and/or Deputy Country Directors to support informed decision making;
• Participate in preparing the WFP budgets, budget implementation, monitoring and act as Certifying Officer of the country office;
• Monitor and advise the Country Director and/or Deputy Country Director on the financial status of projects and programmes (including pending and approved budgets; contributions confirmed but not yet available for expenditure; contributions available for expenditure and contributions already expended);
• Propose, develop and implement financial policies and procedures;
• Set up proper accounting procedures and systems, internal controls to ensure that proper monitoring mechanisms are in place;
• Identify weaknesses and address them immediately;
• Ensure that bank reconciliations for WFP accounts are regularly performed and regularly reviewed by designated officials;
• Perform oversight functions;
• Ensure that disbursements are made based on proper authorisations and supported by legitimate and sufficient documentation;
• Ensure proper maintenance of vendor accounts and timely clearance of outstanding advances and other receivables and payables;
• Coordinate financial closure;
• Respond to audit queries and follow up on audit recommendations;
• Ensure efficient local banking arrangements and compliance with local financial and banking regulations;
• Implement WFP official systems in the office;
• Ensure integrity and consistency of data in WFP financial and accounting systems;
• Draft correspondence and internal procedural directives relating to budgetary and financial matters;
• Contribute to preparedness actions such as early warning, risk analysis and contingency planning and make the necessary recommendations.
• Periodically monitor the management of risks and report on any actions taken;
• Supervise and provide guidance to staff as required;
• Evaluate and monitor administrative services and recommend changes in policies, systems and procedures to ensure services aligned with changing business needs and objectives;
• Ensure WFP’s administrative resources are fully and properly accounted for and that internal control systems are adequate and functioning;
• Assess expenditure in administration (office premises, assets, travel, etc) for previous years; estimate new requirements and prepare budget plans for designated areas of work;
• Supervise the administration of common premises to ensure efficiency, cost effectiveness and timeliness of operations and services;
• Oversee the identification of office technology needs and maintenance of equipment coordinating with relevant Units;
• Review adequacy of office space requirements and make recommendations;
• Assist or negotiate contracts with vendors and service providers to ensure cost effective services and of quality and timely service;
• Supervise the recording (inventory), disposal and transfer of office assets for office; evaluate, on a regular basis, the inventory status and transactions in the database; report anomalies and discrepancies for timely action;
• Draft correspondence and internal procedural directives relating to administrative matters;
• Coordinate actions relative to the administration of human resource activities such as local recruitment, HR reporting, time keeping etc as required and by liaising with Regional HR Officers;
• Act as Country Security Focal Point (SFP);
• Perform other related duties as required.
Qualifications & Experience Required Education:
• Advanced University degree (masters or equivalent) in Finance, Business Administration, Accounting or related fields; or University degree in the same subject(s) plus membership in an internationally recognized professional accountancy body such as Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), Institute of Certified Public Accountants (ICPA) or equivalent
Experience:
• At least five years of post-degree professional experience in finance and administration with independence and decision making authority and complex budget.
• Experience in building strong internal control frameworks.
• Experience in budgeting and planning.
• Hands-on experience in UN or NGO financial environments is an asset.
Technical Skills & Knowledge:
• Training and/or experience utilising computers, including word processing, spread sheets and other standard software packages and systems.
• Good knowledge of financial software is an advantage.
• Good understanding of financial management and financial reporting.
• Knowledge of IPSAS (International Public Sector Accounting Standards).
• ERP (Enterprise resource planning) systems knowledge.
• General knowledge of UN system policies, rules, regulations and procedures governing administration is an asset.
• Competencies: Ability to prioritize work and handle multiple tasks at the same time.
• Strong interpersonal skills demonstrated by the ability to develop and maintain effective work relationships with counterparts in other offices inside and outside of WFP; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor own work plan and those under supervision.
• Ability to draft clear concise reports on key issues and decisions within the delegated area of responsibility.
Language:
Proficiency (level C) of English and intermediate knowledge (level B) of another UN official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian and Spanish) or WFP’s working language, Portuguese.
Terms and Conditions
Selected candidates will be employed on a fixed-term contract with a probationary period of one year. WFP offers an attractive compensation and benefits package, including basic salary, post adjustment, 30 days’ annual vacation, home leave, an education grant for dependent children, pension plan and medical insurance. Please visit the following websites for detailed information on working with WFP. http://www.wfp.org Click on: “Where we work” and “Our work” to learn more about WFP’s operations. http://icsc.un.org Click on: Quick Links > Salary Scales > by date http://www.unstaffmobility.org
Learn more about countries where the UN operates Application procedures: Go to: http://i-recruitment.wfp.org/vacancies/12-0012626
Step 1: Create your online CV.
Step 2: Click on “Description” to read the position requirements and “Apply” to submit your application. NOTE: You must complete Step 2 in order for your application to be considered for this vacancy.
Deadline for applications: 12 June 2012
WFP has zero tolerance for discrimination and does not discriminate on the basis of HIV/AIDS status. Qualified female applicants and qualified applicants from developing countries are encouraged to apply
REF: 12-0012626
Fighting Hunger Worldwide