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 eradicating 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 have equal opportunities regardless of their background. WFP is committed to creating a healthy and inclusive work environment where employees can thrive and contribute to the mission of saving lives and changing lives through effective humanitarian assistance.

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 ensuring compliance with WFP financial policies, rules, and regulations, and will support the development and implementation of financial policies and procedures. This position requires a proactive approach to monitoring cash positions, processing payments, and preparing budgets. The Finance Associate will also play a key role in collaborating with other teams to ensure that financial and administrative services are performed efficiently, thereby contributing to the overall success of WFP's mission.

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, and assist in establishing proper accounting procedures, systems, and cash controls.
• Monitor daily cash positions to optimize surplus cash usage and maximize returns on investments.
• Process all payments to internal staff and invoices to external suppliers in a timely manner, adhering to WFP standards.
• Contribute to budget preparation, implementation, and monitoring, ensuring future funding requirements are met.
• Coordinate with other teams to ensure efficient performance of financial and administrative services.
• Monitor account balances and process financial transactions accurately and timely to prevent overdrafts.
• Analyze general ledger accounts to initiate corrective actions as necessary.
• Compile data from WFP databases to assist in generating and analyzing monthly financial reports. 1
• Allocate tasks to support staff and provide guidance and training in financial resource management. 1
• Remain on standby to meet immediate emergency requirements as needed.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a post-secondary certificate in a related functional area, with a preference for a University Degree in a relevant field. Additionally, candidates should have a strong understanding of financial policies and procedures, as well as experience in financial management and compliance. The role requires excellent analytical skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work collaboratively in a team environment. Candidates should also demonstrate a commitment to WFP's values and mission.

Educational Background:
Completion of secondary school education is required, with a post-secondary certificate in a related functional area being essential. A University Degree in a relevant field is preferred, as it provides a strong foundation for the responsibilities associated with the Finance Associate position.

Experience:
Candidates should have six or more years of progressively responsible work experience in a relevant business stream, with a focus on general administrative work. Experience in assessing financial health and stability of projects, as well as working with auditors and third-party vendors, is highly desirable. This level of experience ensures that the candidate is well-equipped to handle the complexities of financial management within WFP.

Languages:
Fluency in English (level C) is mandatory, both in oral and written communication. Additionally, fluency in the UN language in use at the duty station and in the local language, if different, is advantageous and may enhance communication and collaboration within the team and with stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
This position is a full-time role with a fixed-term contract lasting twelve (12) months. The Finance Associate will be stationed at the WFP Ethiopia Country Office in Addis Ababa. The organization emphasizes the importance of an inclusive work environment and is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. WFP does not charge any fees in connection with the application or recruitment process, and all employment decisions are made based on organizational needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications.