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 alleviating hunger and improving nutrition. WFP's vision emphasizes diversity, inclusion, and the importance of a skilled workforce that operates in a healthy work environment, embodying values such as Integrity, Collaboration, Commitment, Humanity, and Inclusion. WFP has been recognized for its efforts, notably being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2020, which underscores its commitment to humanitarian work and the impact it has on millions of lives globally. For more information, visit their website at https://www.wfp.org and follow them on various social media platforms.

Job Overview:
The Finance Officer position is based in Damascus and plays a crucial role in overseeing financial and resource management across the Country Office and its Area/Field Offices. The officer is responsible for ensuring sound stewardship through effective budgeting, accounting, reporting, financial closures, and cash and bank management, all in accordance with International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS), WFP controls, and donor requirements. This role involves delivering financial planning, analysis, and risk management to support timely operational decisions and compliant implementation, particularly concerning cooperating partner and service provider arrangements. The Finance Officer will work closely with senior management and field structures to set priorities for the finance function, enhance assurance and audit readiness, and drive continuous improvement to maintain operational continuity and donor confidence. The position requires a proactive approach to financial management in a dynamic and challenging humanitarian context, ensuring that resources are utilized efficiently and transparently.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Finance Officer will be responsible for a variety of key accountabilities, including but not limited to: supporting the Country Office's financial and resource management strategies by contributing to policy and procedure development; leading the implementation of finance, budgeting, and resource management operations to ensure timely and effective delivery of food assistance; conducting regular visits to Area/Field Offices to clarify and improve the application of policies and procedures; delivering accurate financial reporting and analyses according to IPSAS; providing financial assessments of partners and service providers; designing and monitoring budgets for projects; consolidating and analyzing financial data to identify trends and issues; ensuring regular performance of bank reconciliations and cash management; monitoring financial and accounting data to forecast trends and propose solutions; enhancing policies and systems to improve operational efficiency; conducting regular risk and internal control assessments; leading the finance team by setting priorities and tracking progress; representing the unit at meetings with other UN agencies and partners; contributing to preparedness activities; and acting as a technical focal point for financial negotiations with government entities.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master’s degree in Finance, Business Administration, Accounting, or related fields, or a First University Degree along with membership in an internationally recognized professional accountancy body such as the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) or the Institute of Certified Public Accountants (ICPA). Additionally, candidates should have a minimum of five years of progressively responsible professional experience in finance, accounting, or related fields with a master’s degree, or seven years of relevant experience with a first university degree. Experience in specialized finance areas within a country office and in developing financial policies and procedures is essential. Proven experience in liaising with government financial institutions or central banks, particularly in managing complex currency exchange mechanisms and regulatory reporting, is also required.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Master’s degree in Finance, Business Administration, Accounting, or related fields. Alternatively, candidates may hold a First University Degree along with membership in a recognized professional accountancy body. This educational foundation is crucial for understanding the complexities of financial management in a humanitarian context and for ensuring compliance with international accounting standards and organizational policies.

Experience:
The position requires candidates to have a minimum of five years of progressively responsible professional experience in finance, accounting, or related fields if they hold a Master’s degree. Alternatively, candidates with a First University Degree must have at least seven years of relevant experience. This experience should include specialized finance roles within a country office, as well as a demonstrated ability to develop financial policies and procedures. Candidates should also have experience in liaising with government financial institutions or central banks, particularly in managing complex financial environments characterized by volatility and regulatory challenges.

Languages:
Fluency in both oral and written English and Arabic is mandatory for this position. Proficiency in these languages is essential for effective communication within the organization and with external partners, ensuring that financial reports and analyses are accurately conveyed and understood. Additional language skills may be considered an asset but are not required.

Additional Notes:
The contract type for this position is a Fixed Term Contract with a duration of 12 months. The duty station is Damascus, and the organization is looking to hire one employee for this role. The position is full-time, and candidates should be aware that WFP is committed to providing an inclusive work environment free from discrimination and harassment. The organization offers an attractive compensation package, which can be found in the Terms and Conditions section of the vacancy announcement. WFP also emphasizes the importance of reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities throughout the recruitment process.