National Professional Officer (Finance)

Job Posting Organization:
The World Health Organization (WHO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for international public health. Established on April 7, 1948, WHO's mission is to promote health, keep the world safe, and serve vulnerable populations. With a workforce of over 7,000 employees, WHO operates in more than 150 countries, working closely with governments and partners to improve health outcomes globally. The organization focuses on various health priorities, including disease prevention, health systems strengthening, and emergency response, aligning its strategies with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Job Overview:
The National Professional Officer (Finance) position is crucial for ensuring effective financial management within the WHO country office in Libya. The incumbent will be responsible for overseeing compliance with financial regulations, managing budgetary allocations, and facilitating efficient financial operations. This role requires a proactive approach to financial oversight, including the review of key performance indicators, financial transactions, and the preparation of budgetary estimates. The officer will collaborate with various units and counterparts to ensure adherence to accounting standards and will play a key role in resource mobilization efforts. The position demands a strong understanding of financial management principles and the ability to work under pressure while maintaining high standards of integrity and professionalism.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Review Key Performance Indicators for the WHO Country Office (WCO) and advise the Operations Officer on compliance issues, coordinating with different units to resolve any compliance issues related to Budget and Finance.
• Review financial transactions related to Direct Implementation, Direct Financial Cooperation, and Grant Letters of Agreement (LOAs) to ensure adherence to financial rules and regulations, providing training to counterparts and staff as needed.
• Facilitate the efficient running of financial operations by coordinating with counterparts for timely submission of Direct Financial Cooperation (DFC) documents, ensuring strict compliance with accounting standards, including the application of International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) and other financial policies.
• Participate in regular and ad-hoc assessments of implementing counterparts as required.
• Prepare general and specific budgetary estimates for projects, monitoring the application, control, and accounting of approved budgetary allocations by programs.
• Track and report on financing against budget, monitor implementation rates, consolidate financial data, and prepare periodic/ad hoc budgetary and financial statements, identifying financial gaps and recommending alternative actions to managers as appropriate.
• Consolidate, analyze, and prepare financial data and reports for the country office.
• Collaborate with counterparts within other UN agencies and donors to facilitate budget resource management planning and resource mobilization in coordination with the Regional Management Officer (RMO).
• Follow up on donor proposals and reporting deadlines, verifying and providing budgetary clearance for proposals and reports for the resource mobilization team.

Required Qualifications:
Essential: A first university degree in accounting, financial management, business, public administration, or economics with a specialization in budgeting/accounting. Desirable: An advanced university degree (Master's level or above) in business administration, finance, accounting, or public administration, along with a professional qualification or licensure in accounting/accountancy.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a first university degree in a relevant field such as accounting, financial management, business, public administration, or economics, with a specialization in budgeting or accounting. An advanced degree at the Master's level or above in business administration, finance, accounting, or public administration is desirable, as is a professional qualification in accounting.

Experience:
Essential: At least 1 year of relevant experience in finance, budget/accounting, with demonstrated experience in accounting and consolidation of financial data using ERP systems or similar packages. Desirable: Experience or knowledge of working in an international organization or UN agency is preferred, providing a broader context for the financial operations within the organization.

Languages:
Essential: Expert knowledge of English and Arabic is required for effective communication and reporting. Desirable: Additional language skills may be beneficial but are not mandatory for this position.

Additional Notes:
This vacancy notice may be used to fill other similar positions at the same grade level. Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted. A written test and/or an asynchronous video assessment may be used as a form of screening. Candidates selected for an interview will need to provide scanned copies of their educational qualifications. The WHO only considers higher educational qualifications from accredited institutions recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED). The organization emphasizes the importance of recruiting staff on a wide geographical basis and is committed to diversity and inclusion in its workforce. The position is a National Professional Officer role, meaning only applications from nationals of Libya will be accepted. The remuneration for this position starts at an annual base salary of USD 34,827, subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, along with 30 days of annual leave.