Senior Finance Associate

Organizational Context

These positions are to be filled in country offices, regional bureaux, and Headquarters, reporting to the Head of Unit, Chief or Finance Officer. At this level, incumbents are responsible for technical and specialized tasks, including planning, organizing, and coordinating, and for setting objectives. They deal with issues that are often not precisely defined and involve a degree of uncertainty and complex interrelationships.

Job Purpose

To support the planning and coordinate the provision of finance, budget, and programming support services, and to supervise and provide guidance to team members, ensuring the transparent and efficient utilization of financial resources. This role serves as a key reference point for technical and procedural support to staff in finance and budget, ensuring compliance with WFP financial policies, norms, and regulations. The incumbent contributes to the development and implementation of financial policies, interprets changes, and recommends follow-up actions to maintain adequate accounting systems and internal controls. They also play a crucial role in improving internal processes, strengthening institutional systems, and designing tools to enhance the transparent and efficient use of financial resources, while managing payments and resolving complex disbursement issues.

Responsibilities

The primary responsibility is to serve as a technical and procedural support point for finance and budget personnel, ensuring adherence to WFP's financial policies, rules, and regulations. This involves contributing to the development and implementation of financial policies and procedures, interpreting changes, and recommending follow-up actions to maintain adequate accounting systems and internal controls. The role also focuses on enhancing internal processes, strengthening institutional systems, and designing tools for the transparent and efficient use of financial resources. Key duties include managing timely payments, resolving complex disbursement issues, and supporting budget preparation, execution, and monitoring to ensure funds are utilized as agreed with donors. Collaboration with other teams is essential for efficient financial and administrative services. The position requires vigilant monitoring of account balances and accurate, timely financial transaction postings to prevent overdrafts, along with the analysis of general ledger accounts for corrective actions. Preparing and analyzing financial and statistical reports to facilitate informed decision-making is crucial. Additionally, the role involves coordinating and supervising support staff, fostering their professional development, and maintaining readiness for emergency financial needs. Specific duties may include acting as Secretary to the Resource Committee, providing detailed budgetary information, alerting to risks, identifying problems, and proposing solutions. The role also involves providing input for decisions on office operational cost financing and serving as a key liaison for the Finance, Budget, and Administration Unit, ensuring clear and timely communication with the Finance Officer.

Work Experience

Experience is required in data analysis, interpretation, and producing national-level reports. Additionally, candidates should have experience instructing and training new staff in resource management functions. Knowledge of the Wings system and reporting platforms is highly desirable.

Skills

Financial Planning, Budget Management, Financial Reporting, Data Analysis, Process Improvement, Team Leadership, Problem Solving, Adaptability, Communication, Time Management

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