Finance Associate
Organizational Context
The World Food Programme (WFP) is the world's largest humanitarian organization, dedicated to saving lives in emergencies and building pathways to peace and prosperity. WFP utilizes food assistance to support people recovering from conflict, disasters, and climate change impacts. We are committed to a diverse, skilled, and high-performing workforce operating in an inclusive environment, driven by our values of Integrity, Collaboration, Commitment, Humanity, and Inclusion.
Job Purpose
The Finance Associate will provide essential procedural and technical support in finance and budget management, ensuring compliance with WFP's financial policies, rules, and regulations. This role involves supporting the development and implementation of financial procedures, monitoring daily cash positions for optimal liquidity and investment returns, and processing payments and invoices accurately and promptly. The associate will contribute to budget preparation, implementation, and monitoring, tracking expenditures and forecasts to meet future funding requirements. Additionally, the role includes coordinating with other teams to ensure efficient financial and administrative service delivery, monitoring account balances, and analyzing general ledger accounts for corrective actions. The Finance Associate will also compile data for financial reports and provide guidance and on-the-job training to support staff in financial resource management, while remaining prepared for immediate emergency response needs.
Responsibilities
The role involves providing comprehensive finance, budget, and administration support services. Key responsibilities include offering procedural and technical guidance on financial matters to ensure adherence to WFP policies, rules, and regulations. This includes supporting the development and implementation of financial policies, procedures, and accounting systems, as well as establishing proper cash controls. The position requires monitoring daily cash positions to optimize surplus cash and investment returns. It also entails managing the timely processing of payments to staff and suppliers, and contributing to budget preparation, implementation, and monitoring, including expenditure tracking and forecasting to meet funding requirements. Coordination with other teams is essential for efficient financial and administrative service delivery. The role involves monitoring account balances, processing financial transactions accurately, and analyzing general ledger accounts to initiate corrective actions. Compiling data for monthly financial reports and allocating tasks to support staff, providing guidance and training on financial resource management, are also crucial. Finally, the position requires maintaining readiness for emergency preparedness and responding to immediate needs.
Work Experience
A Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, or Economics is required, along with a minimum of 6 years of relevant experience. A professional finance certification is desirable. Experience in assessing the financial health of projects and working with auditors and third-party vendors is also beneficial.
Skills
Finance, Budgeting, Administration, Accounting, Internal Controls, Risk Management, Performance Analysis, Resource Management, Compliance, Reporting, Financial Management, Supply Chain Principles, Operations Knowledge, Project Management