The World Food Programme (WFP) is the world's largest humanitarian agency, fighting hunger worldwide. We are currently seeking to fill a Finance Officer position at P3 level (Ref: 13-0013928), which will be based in Maputo.
Duties
Financial
- Ensure compliance with WFP financial policies, procedures, rules and regulations
- Ensure transparent and efficient utilization of WFP’s financial resources
- Provide regular and ad hoc financial information to the Country Director to support informed financial decision making
- Participate in preparing the project budgets, budget implementation, monitoring and act as Certifying Officer of the Country Office
- Monitor and advise the Country Director on the financial status of projects and programmes
- Propose, develop and implement financial policies and procedures
- Set up and implement operating and accounting procedures and systems, internal controls to ensure that proper monitoring mechanisms are in place
- Identify weaknesses and address them immediately
- Perform oversight functions
- Ensure that bank reconciliations for WFP accounts are regularly performed and regularly reviewed by designated officials
- Ensure that disbursements are made based on proper authorisations and supported by legitimate and sufficient documentation
- Ensure proper maintenance of vendor and customer accounts and timely clearance of outstanding advances and other receivables
- Coordinate monthly financial closure for entrusted imprest and petty cash accounts
- Respond to audit queries and follow up on audit recommendations
- Ensure efficient local banking arrangements and compliance with local financial and banking regulations
- Ensure integrity and consistency of data in WFP financial and accounting systems
- Draft correspondence and internal procedural directives relating to budgetary and financial matters
- Contribute to preparedness actions such as early warning, risk analysis and contingency planning and make the necessary recommendations
- Periodically monitor the management of risks and report on any actions taken
- Supervise staff and perform other duties as required including some human resources management functions
Administrative
- Evaluate and monitor administrative services and recommend changes in policies, systems and procedures to ensure services aligned with changing business needs and objectives
- Ensure WFP’s administrative resources are fully and properly accounted for and that internal control systems are adequate and functioning
- Assess expenditure in administration (office premises, assets, travel, etc.) for previous years
- Estimate new requirements and prepare budget plans for designated areas of work
- Supervise the administration of premises to ensure efficiency, cost-effectiveness and timeliness of operations and services
- Assist or negotiate contracts with vendors and service providers to ensure cost effective services and of quality and timely service
- Supervise light fleet management, inventory recording, disposal and transfer of office assets
- Evaluate, on a regular basis, the inventory status and transactions in the database
- Report anomalies and discrepancies for timely action
Requisites
- Advanced university degree in Finance, Business Administration, Accounting or other related fields; or University degree in the related field plus membership in an internationally recognized professional accountancy body such as Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), Institute of Certified Public Accountants (ICPA) or equivalent
- At least five years of postgraduate progressively responsible professional experience in finance with greater independence and decision making authority and more complex budget
- Previous experience of working in developing countries is an asset
- In-depth knowledge of financial management and reporting
- Training and/or experience utilising computers, including word processing, spreadsheet and other standard WFP software packages and systems, including SAP and other ERP systems
- General knowledge of UN system policies, rules, regulations and procedures governing administration is desirable
- Ability to prioritize work and handle multiple tasks within tight timeline
- Ability to provide seasoned technical advice to managers on a broad range of financial, human resources and other administrative matters
- Ability to develop and maintain effective work relationships with different stakeholders
- Ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor own work plan and those under supervision
- Ability to draft clear concise reports on key issues and decisions within the delegated area of responsibility
- Working knowledge (proficiency/level C) of English and intermediate knowledge (level B) of another UN official language (French, Arabic, Spanish, Russian or Chinese) or Portuguese (one of WFP’s working languages)
Notes
WFP offers an attractive compensation and benefits package, including basic salary, post adjustment, 30 days’ annual vacation, home leave, an education grant for dependent children, pension plan and medical insurance.
WFP has zero tolerance for discrimination and does not discriminate on the basis of HIV/AIDS status. Qualified female applicants and qualified applicants from developing countries are encouraged to apply.