The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) WFP is recognized as the leading solution provider and partner in the struggle to end hunger and malnutrion and particularly for its efforts to reach those furthest behind first.
Being the frontline agency of the United Nations system that delivers innovative hunger solutions to 81 countries each day worldwide; WFP’s 14,800+ strong staff share a vision and commitment to end hunger by 2030. Tackling the causes — not just the symptoms – and operating in the remotest corners of the world, with all logistical means necessary, WFP’s results-focussed team provides nutritious and life-saving food and cash assistance when necessary. Bringing unrivalled experience and operating in the world’s most high profile, difficult environments, WFP upholds the humanitarian principles of humanity, integrity impartiality and neutrality.
In successfully achieving the Sustainable Development Goal 2 (SDG 2) i.e Zero Hunger by 2030, the WFP team actively fosters partnerships with governments, communities, local authorities, civil societies, other UN agencies and the private sector.
For more on WFP and what we do, please go to http://www.wfp.org/videos/zero-hunger.
KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive)
Under the direct supervision of the Finance Officer, the Finance Associate will be responsible for the following tasks:
- Be the focal point for the Regional Vulnerability Assessment and Analysis (RVAA) trust fund related financial transactions and budget issues.
- Processing of RVAA trust fund accounting transactions within budgetary approvals and ensure that they are made correctly in accordance with WFP corporate guidelines
- Assist participating Country Offices with trust fund budget implementation and monitoring;
- Monitor Regional Bureau RVAA trust fund budget implementation and recommend reallocation of funds
- Review and recommend financial controls for implementation and ensure that effective controls are in place
- Ensure that timely responses are provided to Country Offices on trust fund requests
- Manage Regional Bureau RVAA trust Fund expenses against approved budget and prepare management reports on the performance outlining areas needing attention for RB management.
- Prepare trust fund Monthly Expenditure report on a timely manner
- Participate in providing procedural and technical support to the staff elsewhere in the Programme on financial issues;
- Analyse, control and accurately maintain relevant General Ledger Accounts and initiate corrective action as necessary;
- Process all RVAA trust fund related payments and transactions in the RB and ensure accuracy and timely processing according to WFP financial rules and regulations and record the adjusting entries when required.
- Initiate and follow up on payments to be made through participating country offices in the region and ensure effective payment processes.
- Assist in setup and implementation of proper accounting procedures, systems and internal controls;
- Participate in development and implementation of new financial policies and procedures; interpret and assess the impact of changes and make recommendations on follow up actions;
- Co-ordinate with other teams in order to ensure that all financial and administrative services are being performed efficiently and in line with the required standards.
- Draft or prepare correspondence to respond to enquiries in respect to relevant financial matters;
- Remain on stand-by and follow standard emergency preparedness practices in order to meet immediate emergency requirements for further service on the job and in the field
Perform other related duties as required.
STANDARD MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education: A university degree in accounting and/or financial management or a relevant field
Experience: 6 years of experience in the area of finance and accounting is required
Experience in working with national governments, NGOs and other UN Agencies is desirable.
IT Skills & Office Management Skills: Ability to effectively use standard MS Office software, and accounting software and information systems. Systematic and efficient approach to work assignments, good judgment and analytical ability.
Good knowledge of the UN’s administrative and accounting systems and procedures would be an advantage
Knowledge & Skills
Systematic, well-structured and efficient approach to work assignments. Analytical ability, accuracy and consistency.Exercise of diligence and care in dealing with records and expenditures;
Applies knowledge of financial and accounting principles and practices to ensure compliance with WFP policies, applicable procedures and accounting standards.
Demonstrates ability to track and compile reports and resource usage on a project-level basis.
Language: Fluency in both oral and written communication in English is essential.
4Ps CORE ORGANISATIONAL CAPABILITIES
Purpose
- Understand and communicate the Strategic Objectives: Coaches team in the most effective ways to communicate WFP’s Strategic Objectives to WFP team and partners in the field.
- Be a force for positive change: Implements new methods or tools to improve team’s work processes and productivity.
- Make the mission inspiring to our team: Maps team’s activities and tasks to specific successes in beneficiary communities to showcase positive impact.
- Make our mission visible in everyday actions: Explains to teammates how each unit contributes to the overall WFP mission.
People
- Look for ways to strengthen people’s skills: Identifies skill development opportunities such as training modules or on-the-job experiences for self, colleagues and direct reports.
- Create an inclusive culture: Facilitates team building activities to build rapport in own unit.
- Be a coach & provide constructive feedback: Facilitates the pairing of junior colleagues with coaches within own team.
- Create an ‘I will’/’We will’ spirit: Proactively anticipates potential challenges and develops mitigation plans to ensure that team meets goals and targets.
Performance
- Encourage innovation & creative solutions: Identifies opportunities to be creative in own work and to help team be more innovative and accurate in their respective tasks and areas of work.
- Focus on getting results: Monitors team’s deliverables and provides feedback to ensure outcomes are delivered consistently and accurately.
- Make commitments and make good on commitments: Provides accurate guidance to team on expected responsibilities and tasks, whilst also upholding own commitment to the team.
- Be Decisive: Sets an example and provides guidance to junior team members on when to escalate issues when faced with challenging issues in the workplace or in the field.
Partnership
- Connect and share across WFP units: Facilitates partnerships with other WFP units to accomplish missions in the field.
- Build strong external partnerships: Sets an example and provides guidance to team on how to build relationships with external partners.
- Be politically agile & adaptable: Articulates to colleagues or direct reports the value of contributing to other WFP teams and agency partnerships in fulfilling WFP’s goals and objectives.
- Be clear about the value WFP brings to partnerships: Organizes, monitors, and prioritizes own and team’s efforts to ensure that they will fulfill the needs of internal and external partners.
FUNCTIONAL CAPABILITIES
Capability Name
Description of the behaviour expected for the proficiency level
Internal Controls & Compliance
Demonstrates basic knowledge of internal controls, risk management, and monitoring mechanisms and their applicability to WFP’s critical activities.
Performance Budgeting, Analysis & Reporting
Demonstrates participation in business planning efforts by developing basic project-level budgets and forecasts, incorporating information from various sources as appropriate to monitor KPIs.
Resource Management
Demonstrates ability to track and compile reports on HQ and Field staffing and resource usage on a project-level basis.
Financial Mgmt. & Accounting Principles
Applies knowledge of financial and accounting principles and practices to ensure compliance with WFP policies, applicable procedures and accounting standards.
Supply Chain and Operations Knowledge
Demonstrates basic understanding of WFP programme, implementation, and supply chain principles (including project modalities & structures).
DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS: 28 July 2017
This position is open to both male and female candidates who are nationals of South Africa and non-South African nationals holding permanent residence permit only.
More Information
- Job City Johannesburg
