Beirut - Finance Officer (NOA)

- This position is open to qualified Lebanese candidates only. - Women and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply - Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

This Vacancy Announcement will close on 24 January 2023 at 11:59 PM Rome Time.

Contract Duration

The Finance Officer will be contracted for an initial term of 12 months. Contract may be extended based on business need and satisfactory performance.

Organizational background

Assisting more than 115.5 million people in 120 + countries each year, the World Food Program (WFP) is the leading humanitarian organization saving lives and changing lives, delivering food assistance in emergencies, and working with communities to improve nutrition and build resilience.

As the international community has committed to end hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition by 2030, one in nine people worldwide still do not have enough to eat. Food and food-related assistance lie at the heart of the struggle to break the cycle of hunger and poverty.

WFP Lebanon provides humanitarian assistance to over 2 million vulnerable persons for food and other essential needs through cash-based transfers and in-kind food. WFP Lebanon also provides food assistance in the form of snacks and fresh food to school aged students and promotes resilient livelihoods and sustainable food systems. In addition to direct assistance to the most food insecure and vulnerable people, WFP also supports government institutions, partners, and other entities to strengthen their capacity to deliver social assistance

To know more about WFP’s mission, please check the below video: https://www.facebook.com/WorldFoodProgramme/videos/10154930622760178/

Job Purpose

To support the internal oversight of the work in the Finance unit, ensure its compliance to corporate guidelines and procedures, review the set internal controls and propose alternate solutions, support the collation, analysis and reporting of financial information to maximize the effectiveness of financial services under the supervision of the Head of Finance unit. Furthermore, the incumbent will provide basic administrative and human resource functions that enable effective management of funds, and ensure assistance to beneficiaries is undertaken in the most efficient and effective way possible.

Accountabilities:

Within delegated authority and under the supervision of the Head of Finance in the WFP Country Office, the Finance Officer tasks involve the following:

• Contribute towards the development of country specific plans and processes, aligned with Regional and wider WFP strategy, policies and processes to meet the food assistance needs of beneficiaries within the Country.

• Participate in preparation of the budget proposals for contributions providing statistical data on WFP related costs with the detailed breakdown (Country office (CO), Field offices (FO) and staff related costs) and implementation other costs.

• Monitor and analyze budgets for new and ongoing projects according to established corporate procedures and requirements.

• Participate in the downstream financial management through developing monthly internal reporting framework providing timely accurate information.

• Conduct cost structure analysis of financial data of CO different fund allotments examining the trends of expenditures, the financial status, and present in monthly reports to support management informed decisions.

• Prepare the expenditure plan in line with the approved budgets of earmarked contributions and follow up the costs charged to associated costs of earmarked grants supporting timely spending and proper, accurate reporting in accordance with corporate financial rules and regulations and corporate requirements

• Track the financial processes in the country office, review the existing set controls and propose improvements in the set up contributing to risk management and internal controls framework. Be responsible for delegation of financial authorities in the country. Review existing delegations in WFP Lebanon office and update when required in consultation with Head of Finance unit.

• Be responsible for Review and analyses of Cooperating Partners (CP) budget proposals assessing their financial efficiency, ensure that they are in line with WFP financial policies and regulations. Provide feedback to technical review committee, WFP partnership unit and the partners when required.

• Review the WFP Lebanon cooperating partners internal controls during the spot-checks and advise on improvements of the financial control systems.

• Represent unit/CO at internal meetings, external meetings and events with other UN agencies, banks and other financial institutions, or cooperating partners.

• Actively participate in financial assessment of economic situation in Lebanon, closely monitor the developments in the financial market, summarize the available information and update the financial market assessment document.

• Conduct Financial capacity assessment of major players in the Financial market including different classes of potential Financial Service Providers in banking sector and remittance companies. Search for the new developments of new financial instruments in the market with the potential to enhance the design and implementation of Cash Transfer Projects in the country.

• Guide and supervise more junior staff, acting as a point of referral and supporting them with more complex analysis and queries.

• Where necessary, undertake basic human resource functions related to staff benefits, recruitment of local staff, and training.

• Follow standard emergency preparedness practices to ensure WFP is able to quickly respond and deploy food and needed resources to affected areas at the onset of the crisis.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education: Advanced University degree (i.e. Master's degree or higher) in Finance, Economics, Business Administration, Accounting, Audit or related fields, or First University degree (i.e. Bachelor’s degree) in the same subject(s) with additional years of related work experience.

Experience: One (1) or more years of postgraduate professional experience (after completion of Advanced University degree) or, three (3) years or more after completion of First University degree in Finance, Accounting, Audit or relevant fields, with great independence, decision making authority, supervision of staff and managing complex funding situation.

Language: Fluency in both oral and written communication in English and Arabic. Knowledge of French is an advantage

Desired skills and knowledge: • Working Experience in humanitarian organizations implementing Cash Based Transfer operations • Experience in conducting economic research and analysis, carry out financial market assessments and of financial capacity evaluation of major players in the given field. • Good knowledge of tax laws in Lebanon • Working experience in SAP-WINGS 2 software

Female applicants and qualified applicants from developing countries are especially encouraged to apply

WFP has zero tolerance for discrimination and does not discriminate on the basis of HIV/AIDS status. No appointment under any kind of contract will be offered to members of the UN Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), International Civil Service Commission (ICSC), FAO Finance Committee, WFP External Auditor, WFP Audit Committee, Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) and other similar bodies within the United Nations system with oversight responsibilities over WFP, both during their service and within three years of ceasing that service.