Finance Officer - Fixed Term - NOB - Based in Addis Ababa

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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 or disability.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Job Title: Finance Officer

Contract Type: Fixed Term

Grade: NOB

Number of positions: 2 Positions

ABOUT WFP

The United Nations World Food Programme is the world's largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide. The mission of WFP is to help the world achieve Zero Hunger in our lifetimes. 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.

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

These jobs are found in Ethiopia Country Offices Job holders typically report to a more senior Finance Officer. They operate as part of a finance team in a CO and provide general financial support. Depending on the size and needs of the office or unit, the job may cover all aspects of finance, budget, and administration, or it may emphasize finance or more of these aspects. Job holders at this level operate with minimal supervision and provide guidance to junior staff to ensure that operation and project objectives are achieved. They are heavily involved in day-to-day activities and analytical work, and provide advice on less complex issues, applying rules and regulations and expertise in making determinations and recommendations across a range of activities.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive)

• Guide and supervise a team of finance staff, acting as a point of referral and supporting them with complex financial analysis and queries. Demonstrate and encourage supervisees to uphold WFP Values, principles, and standards, promote inclusive teamwork. Set outcomes and key performance indicators of Supervisees, aligning them to the Finance unit KPIs in the Annual Performance Plan.
• Ensure that push down and push up of funds across various levels within a cost category is performed as required. Ensure budget allocations for office running costs, salary for locally & internationally recruited employees are made. Managing and reporting on status of fund reservations for Country, Area, and Sub offices.
• Support and plan budget preparation and allocation of funds to spending units and Sub Offices.
• Coordinate and consolidate inputs for preparation of Implementation and Needs based plan for the Country Strategic Plan, budget revisions; ensure DSC and implementations costs obtained from various sources are incorporated in the CSP budget.
• Lead and Contribute to effective resource management in the CO; Prepare and provide regular (Monthly Finance Report) and ad hoc financial information to Country Office Management (including activity managers) to support informed financial decision making; monitor and advise the Management on the financial/funding status; identify irregularities and communicate management for appropriate actions; monitor expenditures trend of funds allocated to various functional areas and field offices to optimize resources utilizations. Monitor and ensure timely utilization of funds prior to expiry of Grants. Prepare Uncertified financial reports for donors.
• Advise and inform Country Office and Sub-Office management and Heads of Units about rules, priorities, and risks related to finance; Ensure Country Office and Sub office management receive required guidance and advice regularly in relation to interpretation and application of financial rules and procedures in all aspects of WFP`s operation that enhance effectiveness and efficiency.
• Ensure WFP’s financial obligations to vendors, cooperating partners, employees, and other stakeholders are settled timely in accordance with set rules and contract agreements; actively engage the finance team daily and provide guidance on the management of payments ensuring disbursements are performed in line with corporate requirements. Execute payment proposals and payment runs in WINGS (SAP). Set parameters to improve efficiency in Payments processing.
• Ensure that bank reconciliation, clearance of receivables, overall cash management are managed regularly and in accordance with corporate requirements.

• Carry out regular visits to Area/Field Offices as appropriate and assist in clarifying and improving proper application of policies and procedures and prepare comprehensive reports on findings with improvement action plans to strengthen internal controls and identify areas which may present potential audit, compliance, and financial risk.

• Provide financial assessment of partners, service providers, and other entities as needed, providing conclusions to management to enable them to make informed decisions and minimize financial risk to the organization.

• Manage monthly Financial Dashboard in accordance with corporate requirements/ standards and monitor the dashboard for open items and alert relevant staff to take timely action to clear them. Analyze open item reports weekly and communicate to the Country Office and Sub/Area offices staff. Lead and engage spending units for clearance of high-risk open items during month end and year end closures. Ensure that the target percentage of enhanced risk items in financial dashboard as set in the Annual Performance Plan is not exceeded.
• Lead on the delivery of accurate financial reporting and analyses in accordance with International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS), ensuring accuracy, deadlines and compliance with accounting processes and corporate governance requirements for both the interim and yearend financial closure.
• Oversee the management of VAT (Value Added Tax) accounting and ensure that monthly VAT receivables are established in the system, claims are timely submitted, VAT returns are properly accounted for, rejected invoices are followed up with concerned government agency, and provide guidance on monthly reconciliation of the VAT account. Take the lead in preparation of VAT write off notes (when needed) for Doubtful VAT receivables. Produce Monthly VAT reports for management.
• Undertake human resource functions related to staff benefits, recruitment of local staff, induction, onboarding, training, coaching and mentoring.
• Represent finance unit at internal and external meetings and events with other UN agencies, banks and other financial institutions, or other partners and entities as required.
• Take the lead in implementation of innovations and initiatives of the Finance Strategy to achieve the Six corporate priorities that is: Leadership in Emergencies, Funding for Zero Hunger, Digital Transformation, Simplification, effectiveness & Impact, best at delivering Zero Hunger and People.
• Ensure implementation and adaption of the new accounting guidelines as per the Integrated Road Map Manual under the Resource Management Guidance.

STANDARD MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

• Advanced University degree in Finance & Accounting or related fields, or First University degree in the same subject(s) with additional years of related work experience. Membership in an international recognized professional accountancy body such as the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), Institute of Certified Public Accounts (ICPA), or equivalent is an added advantage.

Experience:

• At least Five (5) years of experience in finance Previous experience working in developing countries is an asset. Has experience reviewing and analyzing financial statements, and hasexperience implementing accounting and internal control processes.

Knowledge & Skills:

• Knowledge of financial management and reporting plus experience of standard systems such as SAP and other WFP software packages and systems;
• General knowledge of UN system policies, rules, regulations and procedures governing administration is desirable.

Language: Working knowledge (proficiency/level C) of English is required

4Ps CORE ORGANISATIONAL CAPABILITIES

Purpose

• Understand and communicate the Strategic Objectives: Understands WFP’s Strategic Objectives and the link to own work objectives.
• Be a force for positive change: Flexibly adapts individual contributions to accommodate changes in direction from supervisors and internal/external changes (such as evolving needs of beneficiaries, new requirements of partners).
• Make the mission inspiring to our team: Recognizes and shares with team members the ways in which individual contributions relate to WFP’s mission.
• Make our mission visible in everyday actions: Sets own goals in alignment with WFP’s overall operations, and is able to communicate this link to others.

People

• Look for ways to strengthen people's skills: Assesses own strengths and weaknesses to increase self-awareness, and includes these in conversations on own developmental needs.
• Create an inclusive culture: Participates in open dialogue, and values the diverse opinion of others, regardless of background, culture, experience, or country assignment.
• Be a coach & provide constructive feedback: Proactively seeks feedback and coaching to build confidence, and develop and improve individual skills.
• Create an “I will”/”We will” spirit: Participates in accomplishing team activities and goals in the face of challenging circumstances.

Performance

• Encourage innovation & creative solutions: Shows willingness to explore and experiment with new ideas and approaches in own work.
• Focus on getting results: Consistently delivers results within individual scope of work on time, on budget and without errors.
• Make commitments and make good on commitments: Commits to upholding individual accountabilities and responsibilities in the face of ever-changing country or functional priorities.
• Be Decisive: Makes rational decisions about individual activities when faced with uncertain circumstances, including in times of ambiguity regarding information or manager direction.

Partnership

• Connect and share across WFP units: Seeks to understand and adapt to internal or cross-unit teams’ priorities and preferred working styles.
• Build strong external partnerships: Demonstrates ability to understand and appropriately respond to and/or escalate needs of external partners.
• Be politically agile & adaptable: Portrays an informed and professional demeanor toward internal and external partners and stakeholders.
• Be clear about the value WFP brings to partnerships: Provides operational support on analyses and assessments that quantifies and demonstrates WFP’s unique value as a partner.

FUNCTIONAL CAPABILITIES

Capability Name Description of the behaviour expected for the proficiency level Internal Controls & Compliance Utilizes understanding of risk management approaches and internal controls to monitor projects and programmes to confirm regulatory compliance and ensure data integrity. Performance Budgeting, Reporting & Analysis Manages budget, business planning, and forecasting discussions on a programme-wide level, integrating financial resource information from a portfolio of projects to analyze effectiveness and financial viability. Resources Management (People, time, assets, etc.) Monitors trends in staffing and resource usage to anticipate and escalate potential issues to programme leaders. Financial Management and Accounting Principles Monitors and advises senior leaders on the financial status of projects and programmes, tracking outcomes to ensure transparent and effective utilization of resources. Supply Chain and Operations Knowledge Demonstrates thorough understanding of WFP programme and financial policies, business processes and applies these in the implementation or support of WFP programme interventions.

DESIRED EXPERIENCES FOR ENTRY INTO THE ROLE

• Has experience reviewing and analyzing financial statements. • Has experience implementing accounting and internal control processes.

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

22 of January 2023

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WFP has a zero-tolerance approach to conduct such as fraud, sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to WFP’s standards of conduct and will therefore undergo rigorous background verification internally or through third parties. Selected candidates will also be required to provide additional information as part of the verification exercise. Misrepresentation of information provided during the recruitment process may lead to disqualification or termination of employment

WFP will not request payment at any stage of the recruitment process including at the offer stage. Any requests for payment should be refused and reported to local law enforcement authorities for appropriate action.