Finance and Budget Assistant

Job Posting Organization:
The World Food Programme (WFP) is the world's largest humanitarian organization, established to save lives in emergencies and to use food assistance to build pathways to peace, stability, and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters, and the impacts of climate change. WFP operates in numerous countries around the globe, employing thousands of individuals who are dedicated to humanitarian efforts. The organization is committed to diversity and equal employment opportunities, ensuring that all qualified candidates are encouraged to apply regardless of their background. WFP has received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2020, highlighting its significant contributions to global humanitarian efforts. The organization fosters a highly inclusive, diverse, and multicultural working environment, investing in the personal and professional development of its employees through various training and mentorship programs. WFP's mission is centered around the values of Integrity, Collaboration, Commitment, Humanity, and Inclusion, which guide its operations and interactions with partners and communities.

Job Overview:
The Finance and Budget Assistant position at WFP involves providing essential support to staff regarding applicable procedures and technical assistance in finance and budgeting. The role is crucial in ensuring compliance with financial management policies and regulations. The assistant will be responsible for monitoring monthly expenditure forecasts and communicating reports to facilitate informed decision-making. This position requires regular oversight of temporary advance accounts and auxiliary accounts to verify the availability and appropriate disbursement of funds. The assistant will also verify supplier claims, advances, and other receivables, ensuring that procurement procedures are followed to guarantee timely payments to suppliers. Additionally, the role includes gathering information from various sources to prepare budgetary, accounting, financial, and statistical statements, as well as maintaining accurate records of fixed assets and fuel expenses related to vehicles and generators. The Finance and Budget Assistant will also be responsible for updating the web register for invoices and payments, ensuring all documents are managed according to WFP standards and guidelines. This position is integral to ensuring that all expenditures are recorded accurately and in accordance with the approved budget, and that payments to external suppliers and other financial obligations are processed promptly. The assistant will also provide guidance and on-the-job training to other support staff to ensure consistent service delivery that meets required standards.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide assistance to staff on applicable procedures and technical support in finance and budgeting to ensure compliance with WFP's financial management policies and regulations.
• Monitor monthly expenditure forecasts and communicate reports on expenditures to facilitate informed decision-making.
• Regularly oversee temporary advance accounts and auxiliary accounts to verify that funds are available and disbursed appropriately.
• Verify supplier claims, advances, and other receivables, ensuring adherence to procurement procedures for timely payments to suppliers.
• Assist in gathering information from various sources to prepare budgetary, accounting, financial, and statistical statements.
• Retrieve, format, and verify information from various financial information systems, reporting any anomalies or inaccuracies to the supervisor and ensuring corrective measures are taken.
• Perform administrative tasks related to tracking and recording fixed assets and fuel expenses for vehicles and generators, ensuring databases are accurately updated.
• Maintain the web register for invoices and payments, archiving documents to ensure compliance with WFP standards and guidelines.
• Track and record all expenditures in accordance with the approved budget to ensure accuracy in billed expenses and timely processing of payments to external suppliers and other financial obligations. 1
• Provide guidance and on-the-job training to other support staff to ensure consistent service delivery that meets required standards.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a secondary school education, with a post-secondary certificate in a relevant functional area being desirable. Proficiency in financial data collection and monitoring, as well as experience in evaluating financial health and communicating findings to senior management, is essential. Candidates should demonstrate a strong understanding of financial management principles and practices, as well as the ability to work effectively in a team environment. Strong analytical skills and attention to detail are crucial for success in this role.

Educational Background:
The minimum educational requirement for this position is the completion of secondary education. A post-secondary certificate in a relevant field is preferred, which may include finance, accounting, or business administration. This educational background will provide the foundational knowledge necessary for understanding financial management and budgeting processes within the organization.

Experience:
Candidates should have experience in collecting and monitoring financial data related to projects and programs. Experience in assessing financial health and communicating findings to senior management is highly desirable. The role requires familiarity with financial management practices and the ability to work collaboratively in a team setting. Previous experience in a humanitarian or international organization is an advantage, as it provides context for the financial operations within such environments.

Languages:
Proficiency in English at level C is mandatory for General Service staff at the headquarters. Additionally, proficiency in another official UN language at level C or intermediate knowledge at level B may be required depending on the location of the position or the area of responsibility. For field staff, fluency in the UN language used at the duty station and the local language, if different, is essential for effective communication.

Additional Notes:
This position is a full-time role with a contract duration that may vary based on organizational needs. WFP is committed to recruiting internationally, and candidates from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply. The organization offers an attractive compensation package, which includes various benefits and opportunities for professional development. All employment decisions are made based on organizational needs, job requirements, merit, and individual qualifications. WFP is dedicated to providing an inclusive work environment free from discrimination and harassment, and all selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks.