Budget & Programming Associate, G6

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 improving nutrition. WFP's vision emphasizes diversity and inclusion, ensuring that all employees are treated equally and fairly, regardless of their background. The organization is recognized for its commitment to humanitarian principles and has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2020 for its efforts in combating hunger worldwide. WFP is dedicated to fostering a healthy work environment that promotes collaboration, integrity, and commitment among its workforce, which is essential for achieving its goals and serving those in need.

Job Overview:
The Budget & Programming Associate position at WFP is designed to provide specialized support in the planning, monitoring, and analysis of project financial performance. This role is crucial for ensuring the optimal use of financial resources within the organization. The associate will be responsible for reviewing budget plans, analyzing financial performance, and making recommendations to enhance resource optimization. The position requires a proactive approach to managing project funds, ensuring compliance with WFP financial policies, and contributing to the overall financial health of the organization. The associate will also play a key role in pipeline management, internal process improvement, and data management, which are essential for effective decision-making and operational effectiveness. This position offers an opportunity to work in a dynamic environment where the associate can contribute to the mission of WFP while developing their professional skills and knowledge in financial management.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Review budget plans, monitor and analyze project financial performance, and make recommendations in compliance with WFP financial policies and procedures to support financial analysis and optimization of resources.
• Provide comprehensive analysis on fund and grant balances, identifying surpluses and deficits, and suggest corrective measures to support maximum fund utilization and decision-making processes.
• Support pipeline management by ensuring efficient monitoring to prevent and address pipeline breaks, thereby maximizing operational effectiveness.
• Contribute to the improvement of internal processes, enhancement of corporate systems, and design of tools to facilitate overall planning, expenditure forecasting, and budget management.
• Enter project budget plans and revisions into corporate systems to ensure timely and accurate data capture, enabling easy access to information for planning and decision-making.
• Review, compile, and analyze data, maintain accurate records and files, and prepare periodic and ad hoc reports to support the accuracy and efficiency of information presented to stakeholders.
• Provide inputs for the CO Resource Management Committee (RMC) which reviews and prioritizes resources against the Country Portfolio Budget (CPB) implementation plans.
• Contribute to the activation/deactivation and management of Global Commodity Management Facility (GCMF) supply lines and participate in knowledge transfer activities.
• Maintain communication with stakeholders regarding project funds management matters to clarify discrepancies and optimize fund usage. 1
• Provide guidance to other support staff and contribute to their learning and development in budget planning and operational planning. 1
• Follow standard emergency preparedness practices to ensure WFP can quickly respond and deploy resources to affected areas. 1
• Perform other relevant duties as required.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires completion of secondary school education, along with a post-secondary certificate in a related functional area. Candidates should possess strong analytical skills and a solid understanding of financial systems and processes. Additionally, candidates should demonstrate the ability to work collaboratively in a team environment and possess excellent communication skills to effectively engage with various stakeholders. A proactive approach to problem-solving and a commitment to continuous improvement are also essential for success in this role.

Educational Background:
Candidates must have completed secondary school education and hold a post-secondary certificate in a relevant field. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of budget management and financial analysis within the context of WFP's operations. Further education in finance, accounting, or a related discipline is advantageous and may enhance a candidate's qualifications for the role.

Experience:
Candidates should have six or more years of progressively responsible work experience in a relevant business stream, with a focus on general administrative work. Experience in monitoring budgets, resource plans, pipelines, and supply chains is highly desirable. Familiarity with WFP's budget system and a demonstrated understanding of financial systems that support operational implementation are also important. Candidates should have experience in preparing, managing, and reporting on operational budgets, as well as working with large datasets and presenting information in an accessible manner.

Languages:
Fluency in both oral and written communication in the UN language in use at the duty station is mandatory. Additionally, proficiency in the local language of the duty station, if different, is also required. This linguistic capability is essential for effective communication with stakeholders and for the successful execution of the role's responsibilities.

Additional Notes:
The position is a fixed-term contract with a duration of 12 months. It is a full-time role based in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. WFP is committed to recruiting internationally and encourages qualified candidates from diverse backgrounds to apply. The organization offers an attractive compensation package, which includes benefits such as training and professional development opportunities, a multicultural working environment, and a commitment to employee well-being. WFP also emphasizes the importance of reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities throughout the recruitment process.