ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is the world’s largest humanitarian agency, fighting hunger worldwide. The General Accounts Branch (FING) of the Corporate Finance Division (FIN) in WFP promotes transparency and accountability by managing general accounting, financial performance, oversight, and financial reporting to multiple internal and external stakeholders. It prepares organizational financial statements in conformity with International Public Sector Accounting Standards (ISPAS), develops and maintains financial tools and guidance, reports to WFP’s Executive Board and senior management on financial matters, provides accounting and technical advice, and supports external audit process.
This job is located in Rome, Italy, and reports to the Deputy Director, Financial Reporting (FIN).
JOB PURPOSE
Under the supervision of the Deputy Director, Financial Reporting and in close collaboration with relevant business process experts in FING and cross-functionally, the Finance Officer responsibilities will include the development of accounting policy and procedural guidance, interpretation of International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) reporting requirements or, in the absence of relevant IPSAS, IFRS standards and application of them to WFP’s environment and transactions. Furthermore, the incumbent will analyse, consult on, and develop policy positions resulting from the implementation of new IPSAS standards or necessitated by operational changes, translate positions into approved policy documents, and enable policies to be implemented throughout the organization. The incumbent will also maintain and update existing policy, guidance, and training material.
KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive)
As part of regular ongoing responsibilities, Finance Officer will be required to:
• Review of IPSAS new and /or updated provisions and provide guidance on impact (s) including appropriate course of actions to ensure WFP compliance.
• Lead on the drafting of accounting policies and procedures to guide IPSAS compliance financial management/reporting and adherence to financial rules and regulations.
• Participate in inter-UN agency collaborations such as the UN taskforce on Accounting Standards and/or with other humanitarian actors on accounting-related subject matters.
• Support the corporate finance and resource management strategies, through contributing to the development of strategically aligned policies, and participating in key programmatic initiatives, and embedding value for money in these initiatives through advice on financial assessment, reporting, and accounting.
• Advise and support Country Office on internal controls for segregation of duties and undertake as appropriate periodic risk and internal control assessments to identify areas that may present potential audit, compliance, or financial risks.
• Carry out visits to Country Offices and or Regional Bureau as appropriate to assist in clarifying and improving the proper application of financial policies and procedures and prepare comprehensive reports on findings with improvement action plans.
• Lead in facilitating the provision of accounting and financial guidance on corporate projects and/or initiatives.
• Contribute to the development of IPSAS training materials to enhance the skillset and knowledge of WFP global staff on effective financial management/reporting.
• Other as required.
4Ps CORE ORGANISATIONAL CAPABILITIES
Purpose
Understand and communicate the Strategic Objectives: Utilizes understanding of WFP’s Strategic Objectives to communicate linkages to team objectives and work.
Be a force for positive change: Proactively identifies and develops new methods or improvements for self and immediate team to address work challenges within own work area.
Make the mission inspiring to our team: Identifies opportunities to further align individual contributions with WFP’s mission of making an impact on local communities.
Make our mission visible in everyday actions: Helps colleagues to see the link between their individual tasks and the contributions of their unit’s goals to the broader context of WFP’s mission.
People
Look for ways to strengthen people’s skills: Is able to identify, support and encourage focused on-the-job learning opportunities to address gaps between current skillsets and needed future skillsets for WFP.
Create an inclusive culture: Recognizes the contributions of teammates, and encourages contributions from culturally different team mates to recognise the value of diversity above and beyond just including it in programming for beneficiaries.
Be a coach & provide constructive feedback: Provides and solicits ongoing constructive feedback on strengths and development opportunities to help develop individual skills, whilst also helping others identify areas for improvement.
Create an “I will”/”We will” spirit: Sets clear targets for self and others to focus team efforts in ambiguous situations (e.g., unprecedented issues and/or scenarios)
Performance
Encourage innovation & creative solutions: Thinks beyond team’s conventional approaches to formulate creative methods for delivering food aid and assistance to beneficiaries.
Focus on getting results: Maintains focus on achieving individual results in the face of obstacles such as volatile or fragile environments and/or organizational roadblocks.
Make commitments and make good on commitments: Takes personal accountability for upholding and delivering upon team’s commitments and provides assurance to stakeholders.
Be Decisive: Demonstrates ability to adjust to team’s plans and priorities to optimize outcomes in light of evolving directives, while also responding quickly in high-pressure environments, such as in emergency settings.
Partnership
Connect and share across WFP units: Demonstrates an understanding of when and how to tactfully engage other units in conversations on impact, timing, or planning
Build strong external partnerships: Networks regularly with key external partners using formal and informal opportunities to understand each partner’s unique value proposition, and to build and strengthen relationships
Be politically agile & adaptable: Demonstrates ability to adapt engagement approach in the context of evolving partner circumstances and expectations
Be clear about the value WFP brings to partnerships: Demonstrates ability to articulate to internal and external audiences the value that individual contributions and immediate teams bring to partnerships.
STANDARD MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education:
Advanced University degree in Finance, Business Administration, Accounting or related fields, or First University degree in the same subject(s) with additional years of related work experience plus membership in an internationally recognized professional accountancy body such as Associated of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), Institute of Certified Public Accounts (ICPA) or equivalent.
Experience:
At least 8 years of postgraduate progressively and solid professional experience in financial management, reporting and financial policy setting with great independence, decision-making authority, supervision of staff.
Knowledge & Skills:
Ability to assimilate and analyze complex issues to develop strategies and policies.
Strong knowledge and demonstrated experience in the application of International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS), and/or IFRS.
Experience in the research and analysis of accounting policies and procedures and formulating recommendations for management, financial reporting under IPSAS.
Excellent written and oral communications skills.
Ability to provide technical and strategic advice to managers on a broad range of financial, human resources, and other administrative matters.
Ability to prioritize work and handle multiple tasks within a tight timeline.
Ability to develop and maintain effective work relationships with different stakeholders at all levels.
People management skills, with the ability to supervise and bring the best out of staff.
Solid knowledge of UN system policies, rules, regulations, and procedures is an asset.
Language:
International Professional: Fluency (level C) in English language. Intermediate knowledge (level B) of a second official UN language: Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish, and/or WFP’s working language, Portuguese.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
The selected candidate will be employed on a fixed-term contract with a probationary period of one year.
Mobility is and continues to be a core contractual requirement in WFP. These positions are rotational, which means that the incumbent shall be subject to the regular reassignment process unless the position is reclassified as non-rotational. Professional-level positions are rotational over a period of 2 to 4 years.
WFP offers an attractive compensation and benefits package, including basic salary, post adjustment, relocation entitlement, travel and shipment allowances, 30 days’ annual leave, home leave, an education grant for dependent children, a pension plan, and medical insurance.
Please visit our website for detailed information on working with WFP: http://www.wfp.org
Click on: “Our work” and “Countries” to learn more about WFP’s operations.
Apply via :
career5.successfactors.eu
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