Head of Finance and Management Officer

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Position Title: Head of Finance and Management Officer
Location: Windhoek
Country: Namibia
Deadline Date: 13 March 2025-23:59-GMT+01:00 Central Africa Time (Windhoek)

Job Details

Job Posting Organization:
The World Food Programme (WFP) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, established to save lives in emergencies and to use food assistance as a means to build pathways to peace, stability, and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters, and the impacts of climate change. WFP operates globally, with a mission to ensure that no one goes hungry, and it is committed to diversity and equal employment opportunities for all employees. WFP has a diverse workforce and is dedicated to creating an inclusive work environment that reflects the communities it serves. The organization has received numerous accolades, including the Nobel Peace Prize in 2020, recognizing its efforts in combating hunger and promoting peace. WFP employs thousands of staff across various countries and regions, working collaboratively with partners to deliver effective humanitarian assistance.

Job Overview:
The Head of Finance and Management Officer position at WFP is crucial for supporting the stewardship of the organization’s resources. This role involves monitoring budgets, forecasting financial outcomes, reporting on key data, and providing essential administrative and human resource functions that facilitate effective fund management. The officer will work closely with the Deputy Country Director and will be responsible for ensuring that assistance to beneficiaries is delivered efficiently and effectively. The position requires a proactive approach to financial management, with an emphasis on compliance with corporate governance requirements and alignment with WFP’s strategic objectives. The officer will also play a key role in developing country-specific plans and processes that meet the food assistance needs of beneficiaries, ensuring that financial operations are conducted in accordance with established corporate procedures.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Head of Finance and Management Officer include but are not limited to: maintaining awareness of corporate finance and resource management strategies; contributing to the development of country-specific plans aligned with WFP strategies; reporting on financial status and project outcomes; monitoring and analyzing budgets for ongoing projects; performing bank reconciliations and cash management; delivering core administrative services; undertaking basic human resource functions; collating and analyzing data for accurate reporting; tracking data to identify opportunities for policy improvements; delivering financial controls and insights into WFP performance; guiding and supervising junior staff; representing the unit at internal and external meetings; and following emergency preparedness practices to ensure rapid response capabilities in crisis situations. The role also involves developing annual plans and contributing to long-term improvements in policies and procedures to support WFP's strategic objectives.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates for the Head of Finance and Management Officer position 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 additional years of relevant work experience and membership in a recognized professional accountancy body (such as ACCA or CPA) is acceptable. The role requires fluency in English and the local language of the duty station, if applicable. Candidates should demonstrate strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work collaboratively in a multicultural environment. Experience in analysis" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">financial analysis and management of financial transactions is also essential.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced university degree in Finance, Business Administration, Accounting, or related fields. Candidates with a first university degree in these areas may be considered if they have additional years of relevant work experience. 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), is also required or preferred.

Experience:
The ideal candidate should have experience performing basic financial analyses at a national or operational level and managing financial transactions. Experience in supporting corporate finance and resource management strategies, as well as contributing to the development of country-specific plans and processes, is highly desirable. Candidates should also have a proven track record of analyzing and reporting on financial data, monitoring budgets, and performing bank reconciliations and cash management tasks.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory for this position, with a proficiency level of C. If the duty station's language differs from English, fluency in that language is also required. Knowledge of additional languages may be considered an asset but is not mandatory.

Additional Notes:
This position is based in Windhoek, Namibia, and is a full-time role. The deadline for applications is set for 13 March 2025 at 23:59 GMT+01:00 Central Africa Time. WFP is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. The organization does not charge any fees in connection with the application or recruitment process. Selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks to ensure compliance with WFP's standards of integrity and professionalism.