Budget and Finance Officer (BFO)
Organizational Context
The General Management and Coordination (GMC) Cluster supports WHO's regional and country operations by providing coherent administrative, logistical, and operational frameworks and best practices. It aims to enhance operational efficiency, consistency, and responsiveness across the African Region through an integrated service delivery model and a dedicated support hub.
Job Purpose
The Budget and Finance Officer (BFO) provides essential budget and finance support services to WHO programmes and administration within the African Region. This role is crucial for managing the organization's financial assets in compliance with global policies and procedures. The BFO's responsibilities encompass awards management, labor distribution, treasury functions, expenditure control, and staff health insurance administration, ensuring financial integrity and operational effectiveness across the region.
Responsibilities
The Budget and Finance Officer will provide leadership in capacity building and internal communications for budget and finance staff, ensuring adherence to IPSAS and WHO financial policies. This role involves managing a team to support country offices and technical programs in financial management, including programme budgets, awards, income/expenditure analysis, accounts payable, imprest and general ledger reconciliations, and asset management. The officer will also provide expert advice on financial management and controls, support the planning and budgeting process, coordinate administrative budgets, contribute to resource allocation, design innovative operational approaches for financial systems, and oversee Staff Health Insurance administration.
Work Experience
A minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in international accounting systems and financial operations management, including supervisory roles within an international organization, is required. Experience with International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system implementation is also essential. Experience within the WHO or UN system is desirable.
Skills
Leadership and management skills, excellent knowledge of planning, budgeting, financial implementation, and reporting processes, experience managing high volumes of financial data, expert knowledge of ERP systems (Oracle eBusiness suite, Workday) and Microsoft applications, ability to work under stress, problem-solving skills, strong communication and reporting abilities, experience in mentoring and capacity building, and knowledge management skills.