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 individuals who are committed to the mission of alleviating hunger and improving nutrition. 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 commitment to humanitarian efforts and global security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security. WFP fosters a diverse and inclusive work environment, encouraging individuals from various backgrounds to contribute to its mission. To learn more about WFP, visit their official website and follow them on social media platforms for updates and news.

Job Overview:
The Finance Associate position at WFP involves coordinating and providing essential accounting and financial support services. This role is crucial for the efficient functioning of financial operations within the organization. The Finance Associate will be responsible for recording and interpreting financial information, ensuring compliance with internal controls, managing payables, and conducting data analysis to facilitate informed decision-making. The position requires a proactive approach to financial management, with a focus on supporting the development and implementation of financial policies and procedures. The Finance Associate will work closely with the Finance Officer and other teams to ensure that financial services are delivered efficiently and in alignment with WFP's standards and objectives. This role offers an opportunity to contribute to the organization's mission of providing humanitarian assistance while developing professional skills in finance and accounting.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Finance Associate will report directly to the Finance Officer and will be responsible for a variety of finance operations functions, including:

• Providing procedural and technical support to staff in finance and budget areas to ensure compliance with corporate financial policies and regulations.
• Supporting the development and implementation of financial policies and procedures, and assisting in the establishment of proper accounting systems and cash controls.
• Monitoring account balances and processing financial transactions accurately and timely to prevent overdrafts.
• Managing the centralized Invoice Tracking System (ITS) to ensure timely processing of invoices and payments to external suppliers.
• Contributing to the preparation and monitoring of financial forecasts to meet future funding requirements.
• Analyzing financial data to identify trends and areas for improvement, providing insights for decision-making.
• Compiling data from WFP databases to assist in generating monthly financial reports and external donor financial spending reports.
• Coordinating with other teams to ensure efficient delivery of financial services.
• Managing payables, including vendor and staff payments, and overseeing petty cash accounts. 1
• Allocating tasks to support staff and providing guidance and training in financial resource management. 1
• Maintaining up-to-date finance and accounting files and performing other related duties as assigned by the head of the unit.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must have completed secondary school education, with a post-secondary certificate in a related functional area. A university degree in Finance, Accounting, or a related field is desirable. Preference will be given to candidates with an MBA in Finance from a recognized institution or CA inter with relevant work experience. Candidates should demonstrate a strong understanding of financial principles and practices, as well as compliance with corporate policies and accounting standards. Familiarity with SAP/ERP or similar accounting software is considered a plus, along with proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for the Finance Associate position includes a completion of secondary school education, along with a post-secondary certificate in a related functional area. A university degree in Finance, Accounting, or a related field is highly desirable. Candidates with an MBA in Finance from a recognized and reputable institution (excluding Tier 1 institutes) or CA inter with relevant work experience will be given preference. This educational foundation is essential for understanding the complexities of financial management and accounting practices within the organization.

Experience:
Candidates should possess six or more years of progressively responsible work experience in accounting and finance. This experience should include familiarity with financial management practices, internal controls, and compliance. Candidates with experience in assessing the financial health of operations and strong analytical and numerical skills will be preferred. Experience with SAP/ERP or similar accounting software applications is considered advantageous, as is proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.

Languages:
Fluency in both oral and written English is required for this position. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset, as WFP operates in a multicultural environment and serves diverse populations across the globe.

Additional Notes:
This vacancy is open to Indian nationals only and is available to both internal and external candidates. The position is offered as a Service Contract for a duration of one year, with the possibility of renewal. The salary for this position is INR 1,05,043 per month, plus 8.33% of the base salary towards social security. Employees will also receive medical benefits as per WFP's plan. All tax liabilities for payments from this contract are to be borne by the subscriber. Candidates under serious consideration will be contacted, and a written test will be used for screening. Only recommended candidates will be retained on the roster for a period of two years and may be considered for similar positions from the roster.