Finance Officer NOA

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT:

In 2018, WFP re-established its presence in the Caribbean with an office in Barbados. The WFP Caribbean Multi-Country Office (MCO) supports 22 countries and territories across the English- and Dutch-speaking Caribbean. WFP Caribbean’s capacity strengthening programme focuses on vulnerability analysis and mapping; end-to-end supply chain management; shock-responsive social protection; food systems strengthening; and climate risk financing. In times of crisis, WFP works with partners to provide direct assistance when events surpass national and regional capacities by delivering food, cash or voucher assistance, or through emergency logistics or emergency telecommunications service provision.

Job holders typically report to a more senior Finance Officer. They operate as part of a finance team in a Country Office (CO), providing general financial support. Depending on the size and needs of the office or unit, the job may cover all aspects of finance, budget, and administration, or it may emphasize finance or more of these aspects. Job holders at this level are likely to be working under the supervision of a more experienced staff member, receiving guidance and regular feedback on work performed. They support the collation, maintenance, analysis and reporting of information to maximise the effectiveness of financial services.

The role will report to the Head of Enabling Services or their designate.

JOB PURPOSE:

To support the stewardship of WFP’s resources, monitoring budgets, forecasting, reporting on key data and providing administrative and human resource functions that enable effective management of funds, and ensure assistance to beneficiaries is undertaken in the most efficient and

effective way possible.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive, within delegated authority):

1. Maintain awareness of corporate finance and resource management strategies and major ongoing programmatic initiatives, participating where appropriate using finance and resource management expertise.
2. Contribute towards the development of country specific plans and processes, aligned with Regional and wider WFP strategy, policies and processes to meet the food assistance needs of beneficiaries within the Country.
3. Report on key data for financial status and outcomes of projects in accordance with corporate governance requirements, ensuring accuracy, deadlines, and accounting processes are complied with.
4. Monitor budgets, and carry out forecasting for new and ongoing projects according to established corporate procedures and requirements.
5. Perform bank reconciliations, disbursements, clearance of receivables, overall cash management and monthly financial closures on a regular basis in accordance with corporate requirements.
6. Where necessary, deliver core administrative services, working with contractors and following standard processes to provide cost-effective, quality and timely services to WFP staff.
7. Where necessary, undertake basic human resource functions related to staff benefits, recruitment of local staff, and training.
8. Collate data and contribute to preparation of accurate and timely reporting, providing management with financial, staffing and resource usage information to enable them to make informed decisions.
9. Track and collate data to support others to improve policies, systems and procedures in order to minimise financial risks, improve the efficiency and effectiveness of operations, and ensure services are aligned with business objectives.
10. Contribute to the delivery of financial controls and insight into WFP performance, supporting periodic risk and internal control assessments to identify areas which may present potential audit, compliance or financial risks.
11. Guide and supervise more junior staff, acting as a point of referral and supporting them with more complex analysis and queries.
12. Represent unit/CO at internal meetings, external meetings and events with other UN agencies, banks and other financial institutions, or other partners and entities as required.
13. Follow standard emergency preparedness practices to ensure WFP is able to quickly respond and deploy food and needed resources to affected areas at the onset of the crisis.
14. Other as required.

OTHER SPECIFIC JOB REQUIREMENTS (details to be determined by Post Managers):

This role will also support the delivery of quality, customer-focused, value for money administrative services including:

• Support management of existing resources in the area of responsibility (e.g., WFP managed facilities, assets, and travel management, etc.) and assist in identification of new requirements aiming at efficiency, cost-effectiveness and timeliness of operations and services.
• Facilitate the compliance of the services provided (e.g., WFP managed facilities, assets, and travel management, etc.) with the corporate Occupational Safety and Health Policy. Where necessary, deliver core administrative services, working with contractors and following standard processes to provide cost-effective, quality, and timely services to WFP staff.
• Support a culture of environmental sustainability throughout WFP by role modelling actions that drive sustainability in all administrative activities.

As a humanitarian organization, WFP provides emergency response support to the 22 English and Dutch-speaking countries in the Caribbean. In this role, the incumbent may be required to:

• Support the Finance and Administration Unit's emergency response activities.
• Deploy to affected countries to assist with Finance or Administration operations as required.
• Work beyond regular working hours as required.

DESIRED EXPERIENCES FOR ENTRY INTO THE ROLE:

• Has performed basic financial analyses at a national and/or operational level.
• Has experience managing financial transactions.
• Has provided coaching or training to new staff members within area of expertise.
• Has experience in deriving insights and conclusions from data, trends, and performance metrics.
• Has experience developing customer-focused solutions and actions plans.
• Has gained experience in administration.
• Has demonstrated a high level of proficiency in WFP administrative operating standards in day to day work.

STANDARD MINIMUM ACADEMIC 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
• Membership in an international recognized professional accountancy body such as Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), Institute of Certified Public Accounts (ICPA) or equivalent.

Experience:

One to Three years of relevant experience.

Language:

National Professional: Fluency (level C) in English language