Finance Associate

Job Posting Organization:
The World Food Programme (WFP) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, dedicated to saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build pathways to peace, stability, and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters, and the impacts of climate change. Established in 1961, WFP operates in over 80 countries, employing thousands of staff members who are committed to the mission of alleviating hunger and improving nutrition. WFP is recognized for its efforts and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2020 for its work in combating hunger and promoting peace. The organization values diversity and inclusion, ensuring that all employees are treated equally and fairly, regardless of their background or identity. WFP is committed to creating a healthy and inclusive work environment where employees can thrive and contribute to the organization's mission.

Job Overview:
The Finance Associate position at WFP involves coordinating and providing finance, budget, and administration support services. This role is crucial for the efficient functioning of support services and for informing decision-making processes within the organization. The Finance Associate will be responsible for recording and interpreting financial and budgetary information, ensuring compliance with WFP financial policies, and supporting the development and implementation of financial procedures. The position requires a proactive approach to monitoring cash positions, processing payments, and preparing budgets. The Finance Associate will work closely with various teams to ensure that financial and administrative services are performed efficiently, contributing to the overall success of WFP's mission to provide humanitarian assistance.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide procedural and technical support to staff in finance and budget areas to ensure compliance with WFP financial policies, rules, and regulations.
• Support the development and implementation of financial policies and procedures, assisting in the setup and implementation of proper accounting procedures, systems, and cash controls.
• Monitor daily cash positions to optimize surplus cash usage and maximize returns on investments through liquidity portfolios.
• Oversee the centralized registry system to ensure timely processing of payments to internal staff and invoices to external suppliers in accordance with WFP standards.
• Contribute to the preparation, implementation, and monitoring of budgets, ensuring relevant future funding requirements are met.
• Coordinate with other teams to ensure efficient performance of all financial and administrative services.
• Monitor account balances and process financial transactions accurately and timely to avoid overdrafts.
• Analyze general ledger accounts to initiate and achieve corrective actions.
• Compile data from WFP databases to assist in generating and analyzing monthly financial reports. 1
• Allocate tasks to support staff, providing guidance and on-the-job training in financial resource management. 1
• Remain on standby and follow standard emergency preparedness practices to meet immediate emergency requirements.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or a related field, along with a minimum of 6 years of relevant experience. A professional finance certification is desired. Candidates should demonstrate knowledge of financial and accounting principles and practices, ensuring compliance with WFP policies and applicable procedures. Additionally, candidates should have experience assessing financial health and stability of projects and working with auditors and third-party vendors.

Educational Background:
The position requires a Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or a related field. A professional finance certification is considered an asset and may enhance a candidate's qualifications for the role.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of 6 years of relevant experience in finance, accounting, or a related field. Experience in assessing financial health and stability of projects, as well as working with auditors and third-party vendors, is highly desirable. Familiarity with WFP's financial policies and procedures will be an advantage.

Languages:
Fluency in both oral and written communication in English and Turkish is mandatory for this position. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset but is not required.

Additional Notes:
This position is full-time and based in Ankara, Türkiye. The contract duration and specific compensation details will be provided in the Terms and Conditions section of the vacancy announcement. WFP is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. All applications must be submitted through the online recruiting system, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for further stages of the recruitment process.