Finance Officer

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 ensuring security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security for all. WFP's core values include Integrity, Collaboration, Commitment, Humanity, and Inclusion, which guide its operations and interactions with partners and beneficiaries. The organization has received numerous accolades for its work, including the Nobel Peace Prize in 2020, highlighting its significant contributions to global humanitarian efforts. WFP is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace, encouraging individuals from all backgrounds to apply for positions within the organization.

Job Overview:
The Finance Officer position at WFP is crucial for supporting the stewardship of the organization's resources. The role involves monitoring budgets, forecasting financial needs, reporting on key data, and providing essential administrative and human resource functions that facilitate effective fund management. The Finance Officer will work under the direct supervision of the Head of Finance, contributing to the development of country-specific financial plans and processes that align with WFP's regional and global strategies. This position requires a proactive approach to financial management, ensuring that assistance to beneficiaries is delivered efficiently and effectively. The Finance Officer will also play a key role in maintaining compliance with corporate governance requirements and ensuring that financial reporting is accurate and timely. This role is not only about managing finances but also about contributing to the overall mission of WFP by ensuring that resources are utilized in a manner that maximizes impact for those in need.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Finance Officer will be responsible for a comprehensive set of duties, including but not limited to: maintaining awareness of corporate finance and resource management strategies, contributing to the development of country-specific financial plans, reporting on financial status and project outcomes, monitoring budgets and forecasting for projects, performing bank reconciliations and cash management, delivering core administrative services, undertaking basic human resource functions, collating data for accurate reporting, tracking data to support policy improvements, contributing to financial controls and risk assessments, guiding and supervising junior staff, representing the unit at internal and external meetings, and following emergency preparedness practices to ensure WFP can respond effectively to crises. The role requires a detail-oriented approach to ensure compliance with established corporate procedures and to minimize financial risks.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree in Finance, Business Administration, Accounting, or related fields. Alternatively, a first university degree in the same subjects combined with five years of relevant work experience is acceptable. Additionally, membership in a recognized professional accountancy body, such as the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) or the Institute of Certified Public Accountants (ICPA), is required. The ideal candidate will have a strong foundation in financial management, budgeting, and administrative functions, with a proven track record of strategic leadership in these areas.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced university degree in Finance, Business Administration, Accounting, or a related field. Candidates with a first university degree in these subjects must have at least five years of relevant work experience. Membership in a recognized professional accountancy body is also a prerequisite, ensuring that candidates have the necessary technical knowledge and skills to perform effectively in this role.

Experience:
Candidates should have at least one year of progressive strategic leadership experience in financial management, budgeting, and administrative functions. Experience in analysis" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">financial analysis, data interpretation, and report generation at a national level is essential. Familiarity with accounting and internal control processes is also required. Knowledge of the UN environment and WFP’s business and financial architecture is desirable, as it will aid in the effective implementation of operations.

Languages:
Fluency in both oral and written communication in English and Kinyarwanda is mandatory for this position. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset, enhancing the candidate's ability to communicate effectively within the diverse environment of WFP.

Additional Notes:
This position is a Fixed Term (FT) contract with a duration of one year, which is renewable based on performance and organizational needs. The role is based in Kigali, Rwanda, and offers an attractive compensation package, details of which can be found in the Terms and Conditions section of the vacancy announcement. WFP is committed to providing an inclusive work environment and supports individuals with disabilities by offering reasonable accommodations throughout the recruitment process. The organization does not charge any fees in connection with the application or recruitment process, and all employment decisions are made based on merit and individual qualifications.