WFP seeks candidates of the highest integrity and professionalism who share our humanitarian principles. Selection of staff is made on a competitive basis, and we are committed to promoting diversity and gender balance.

Female Candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

Are you passionate about resource management?
Do you have general knowledge of resource management best practices, techniques, and processes?
Would you like to make a significant contribution to achieving Zero-hunger?
Would you like to be part of a multicultural team?

If yes, then join the World Food Programme (WFP) Ghana Country Office. We are seeking a talented Budget and Programming Consultant to be based in Accra.

We are a close community of focused, passionate people who care deeply for each other and for those we serve. Whether we are out in the field or in our headquarters, we respect our differences and celebrate our like-minded passion for saving lives.

ABOUT WFP

The United Nations World Food Programme is the world's largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide. The mission of WFP is to end global hunger. Every day, WFP works worldwide to ensure that no child goes to bed hungry and that the poorest and most vulnerable, particularly women and children, can access the nutritious food they need. To learn more about WFP, visit our website and follow us on social media to keep up with our latest news: LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

COUNTRY CONTEXT/ ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

The World Food Programme in Ghana currently implements a Country Strategic Plan (CSP 2019 - 2023) which contributes to SDGs 2 and 17. The current CSP and WFP’s value proposition to Ghana prioritize the following Pillars: Food systems; Nutrition; Social protection; Social Cohesion and Emergency Preparedness and Response. Total Budget is US$94.1Million.

Through its CSP, WFP’s role in Ghana is an enabler, consistent with the Government of Ghana’s vision of self-reliance articulated in the Ghana Beyond Aid (GBA) and the Ghana COVID-19 Alleviation and Revitalization of Enterprises Support (Ghana CARES) Obaatanpa Programme, to revitalize the economy, given the impact of global socio-economic shocks, and accelerate attainment of the Ghana Beyond Aid agenda.

WFP in Ghana has been supporting national development with an integrated food systems and nutrition programme which hinges on private sector participation in the prevention of malnutrition, transformation of agricultural value chains, strengthening of social protection programmes, strengthening early warning, disaster preparedness and response systems while promoting social cohesion. Development of the next generation CSP, to be approved November 2023 with an implementation start date of 2024, is underway.

PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT:

WFP Ghana seeks to recruit a Budget and Programming officer to lead budget and resource analysis; funds programming activities; provide technical support to country office activity managers and other functional units; and partner with senior management to apply best practices that support the efficient, effective; compliant and timely utilization of funds. The job holder will be managing a very small team and is expected to independently carryout the necessary tasks and assignments, using technical knowledge and experience to analyze data, prepare reports, provide advice and solutions to problems, and identify opportunities for improvements.

MAIN ACCOUNTABILITIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Identify opportunities to develop and implement policies and procedures for budget and programming activities, with the aim of achieving objectives in compliance with WFP and functional strategies.

2. Advise on budgetary adjustments for optimal resource utilization, coordinating inputs from various units and providing regular feedback to main stakeholders.

3. Proactively support the preparation and review of various budgets for accuracy, appropriateness, cost containment/effectiveness and completeness, monitoring ongoing performance against operational budget.

4. Review and clear submitted funding proposals, making recommendations, when necessary, in close collaboration with partnership officer, and or the Activity/SO managers.

5. Coordinate CSP closure activities following up on outstanding actions with stakeholders enabling the timely receipt and start of potential resource transfers.

Pipeline Management

6. Supervise the matching of commodity pipeline requirements with sourcing options including Advance Financing requests in collaboration with stakeholders at the operational level to ensure timely shortfall coverage and efficient utilization of contributions.

7. Prepare monthly pipeline report and develop standards around pipeline clearance, discuss resource availability and allocations, and where appropriate make recommendations to manage severe shortfalls and enable decision making at the country office.

8. Convene and moderate the monthly, cross-functional, pipeline working group, that proactively discusses resource availability and upcoming shortfalls, while recommending timely mitigation measures.

9. Participate in meetings with internal and external stakeholders to discuss the utilization of incoming contributions, as well as support the process of developing funding proposals.

Funds, Performance Management, and Reporting

10. Collate inputs for the Country Office Resource Management Committee (RMC) which reviews and prioritizes resources against the Country Portfolio Budget (CPB) implementation plans, as per agreed timelines.

11. Advise COs and spending units on complex programming requests and the utilization of funds (appropriateness, timeliness, accuracy, etc.) while proactively engaging fund managers and/or activity managers to implement recommendations and possible corrective actions that enable reporting against original budgets and approved funding proposals.

12. Support or coordinate the preparation of interim, progress and final reports as stipulated in various contribution agreements between WFP and specific donors, particularly for those locally negotiated contributions in close collaboration with country office counterparts as required.

13. Monitor ongoing performance against budget for WFP operations, including Global Commodity Management Facility or corridor management, through various financial analyses and provide sound advice on budgetary adjustments as necessary to budget owners for optimal resource utilisation and in adherence to available guidance and policies.

Leadership

14. Develop and document internal business processes, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and training packages on resource management matters as well as onboarding new colleagues in the team.

15. Supervise, guide a small team, coaching and providing/delivering training to build capacity and increase expected level of operational support, acting as point of referral and escalation point on more complex analysis and queries.

16. Where needed, co-lead the activation/deactivation and management of Global Commodity Management Facility (GCMF) supply lines, participate in knowledge transfer activities in support of the facility and facilitate decision-making for the allocation of corporate stocks.

Others

17. Coordinate data analysis efforts and innovatively develop reports, to meet varying requirements and enable informed decision-making, ensuring consistency of information presented to senior management and external stakeholders.

18. Identify opportunities to develop and improve systems, techniques, tools, processes and procedures to better monitor, manage and report on WFP budgets and resources.

19. Represent the unit at internal meetings/committees/working groups as required, to obtain and provide information from a budget and resource programming perspective.

20. Contribute to standard emergency preparedness practices, providing technical recommendations and guidance and monitoring the management of financial risks.

21. Perform other relevant duties as required.

DELIVERABLES AT THE END OF THE CONTRACT:

Next generation CSP Budget.
2024 Annual Implementation Plan and/or any revision to 2023 implementation Plan if required.
Monthly Resources Management Reports.
Monthly Pipeline Reports.
Funds Programming as required
Recruitment of NOB Budget and Programming Officer

SPECIFIC QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

Education:

Advanced university degree in Business Administration, Statistics, Finance, Economics or another relevant field. Additional professional trainings in project management, statistical analysis and/or operational planning and management is desirable OR First University degree with additional years of related work experience and/or training/courses

Experience:

A minimum of five (5) years of professional work experience in resource management, project planning, monitoring, and reporting from an emergency, development, or humanitarian field for holders of an advanced degree. For holders of a first university degree more years of relevant professional work experience in the same field are required.

Languages: Fluency in English (Level C – reading, writing & speaking). Intermediate knowledge of a second official UN language is desirable.

DESIRED EXPERIENCES, KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

Adequate experience in working across functions to address identified resource management issues and gaps and influence Country/Regional Directors to make required decisions.
Proven ability to proactively approach problem solving and generate ideas for optimal team outcomes amidst operational challenges and resource constraints.
Have managed small to medium-sized operations with moderate complexity, in overseeing project performance against available resources, ensuring adherence to available policies and procedures.
Have adequate experience in working across functions to address identified resource management issues and gaps and influence Country/Regional Directors to make required decisions.
Have developed and managed small-sized teams successfully.
Demonstrated thorough understanding of operational planning and business processes, rules and procedures, and apply them consistently in the implementation and support of programme interventions.
In-depth knowledge of a programmes’ operational requirements and how those translate into resource management requirements, enabling the proposition of recommendations for improvement in a proactive rather than reactive manner.
Exhibit specialized knowledge in improving business planning processes and promoting Value-for- Money principles in accordance with WFP policies and strategic mission, as well as national priorities.
Ability to lead teams in proactively providing resource management solutions that enhance the deliverance of value for money to beneficiaries, aligning staff practices with mission critical priorities, as appropriate
Ability to consolidate and share resource management information in a way that emphasizes accuracy and consistency in numbers across teams, making relevant conclusions and recommendations to drive management.

Before you apply...

WFP celebrates and embraces diversity. It is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all its employees and encourages qualified candidates to apply irrespective of race, colour, national origin, ethnic or social background, genetic information, gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, HIV status, physical or mental disability.
All employment decisions are made based on organizational needs, job requirements, merit, and individual qualifications. WFP is committed to providing an inclusive work environment free of sexual exploitation and abuse, all forms of discrimination, any kind of harassment, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. Therefore, all selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks.
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.

⏰ Closing date: 28 November 2022

Why work at WFP

Meaningful and impactful careers - Our day-to-day work makes a difference in the lives of the people we serve.
Continuous learning and training - We provide learning tools for our staff to continually develop their careers.
Multicultural and stimulating working environment - We encourage gender and cultural diversity to make our teams stronger.

Special recommendation:

Before you apply, please confirm that (i) your profile is accurate and up-to-date, (ii) your CV is up-to-date and includes your employment records, academic qualifications and language skills (iii) your cover letter addresses both your motivation and the requirements of this vacancy announcement. If this is not the case, we strongly recommend that you take time to update this information before you submit your application.

Apply now

Added 1 year ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: wfp.org