National Finance Officer , World Food Programme

Vacancy Announcement No: ODN/001/2011

VA issued on: 06 February 2012

Closing date: 17 February 2012

Post Title: National Finance Officer

Grade: Service Contract SC9 (NOB equivalent)

Duty Station: Regional Bureau for East & Central Africa, based in Nairobi

Salary: As per UN Salary Scale

This vacancy announcement is open to both male and female candidates. Qualified female candidates are particularly encouraged to apply.

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is looking for a qualified candidate to fill the post of National Finance Officer in support of the Regional Bureau for East & Central Africa (ODN), based in Nairobi, Kenya.

Duties and Responsibilities: Under the direct supervision of the Senior Regional Finance Officer, the National Finance Officer will be responsible for the following duties:

• Advise and support the Division/Regional Director and/or Country Directors on financial and administrative matters;
• 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 Division/Regional Director and/or Country Directors to support informed financial decision making;
• Monitor funds and other financial resources managed by the Regional Bureau ensuring that budget allocations are provided whenever requested and funds availability monitored and reported to the Senior Regional Finance Officer;
• Participate in preparing the WFP annual budgets, budget implementation, monitoring and act as Certifying Officer of the regional office or country office;
• Monitor and advise the Division/Regional Director and/or Country Directors on the financial status of projects and programmes (including pending and approved budgets; contributions confirmed but not yet available for expenditure; contributions available for expenditure and contributions already expended);
• Propose, develop and implement financial policies and procedures;
• Set up proper accounting procedures and systems, internal controls to ensure that proper monitoring mechanisms are in place;
  
• Identify weaknesses and address them immediately;
• Ensure that bank reconciliations for WFP accounts pertaining to ODN and the country offices under it are regularly performed and regularly reviewed by designated officials;
• Perform oversight functions and technical guidance / support to ODN country offices;
• Ensure that disbursements are made based on proper authorisations and supported by legitimate and sufficient documentation;
• Ensure proper maintenance of vendor accounts and timely clearance of outstanding advances and other receivables, payables and balance sheet accounts both for ODN and the country offices under ODN;
• Undertake comprehensive and detailed review and analysis of the monthly financial reporting (MMC) package for ODN and the country offices under it ensuring that exceptions noted are properly communicated to concerned offices/staff and that the same are properly addressed by these offices within reasonable period of time.
• Ensure that required financial reporting requirements are submitted or or before prescribed deadlines;
• Coordinate monthly and year end financial closure and ensure that all closure-related activities are completed on or before deadline;
• Respond to audit queries and follow up on audit /oversight recommendations;
• Ensure efficient local banking arrangements and compliance with local financial and banking regulations;
• Implement WFP official systems in the office;
• 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;
• Undertake temporary duty assignments to country offices to support finance functions as may be required from time to time;
• Supervise staff as required;
• Perform other related duties as required.

Critical Success Factors: Resourcefulness, initiative, maturity of judgment, tact; effective working relations in support of work conducted by other officers. Ability to prioritize work and handle multiple tasks at the same time. Ability to work independently with minimum
supervision.

Education: Advanced University degree (masters or equivalent) in Finance, Business Administration, Accounting or related fields; or University degree in the same subject(s) 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.

Experience: At least three years of postgraduate professional experience in finance.

Knowledge: Training and/or experience utilising computers, including word processing, spreadsheet and other standard WFP software packages and systems. General knowledge of UN system policies, rules, regulations and procedures governing administration.

Language: Fluency in both oral and written communication in English; knowledge of French language is desirable and an added advantage

Desirable skills: Hands on experience in UN or NGO financial environments; level C in a second official WFP language; Familiarity with SAP.

Closing Date: 17 February 2012.

Applications must be received by the deadline.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

Interested Kenyan nationals meeting the above qualifications are requested to submit their applications by e-mail, together with detailed curriculum vitae, copies of education certificates, names and telephone numbers or email addresses of three work referees.

Please send your application to: WFP.ODNHR@WFP.ORG Please quote the Vacancy Announcement No. and the title of the position in the subject line.

Candidates should also complete and submit a Personal History form (P.11) available on the following link http://www.unon.org/docs/P11.doc.

Please Note: WFP does not charge fees from applicants at any stage during the recruitment process.