Finance Officer

World Food Programme- Occupied Palestinian Territory (oPt) is Inviting both female and male to apply for the following position:

Deadline for applications: 10th October 2011

Job Title:Finance Officer
Contract :Fixed Term
Grade      :NOC
Location :Jerusalem Office       

Supervision received The Finance Officer reports to the Country Director or the designate, and is under the functional supervision of the Chief Financial Officer.

Accountabilities: Within delegated authority, the Finance Officer will be responsible for the following duties: (These duties are generic and thus are not all-inclusive nor are all duties carried out by all Finance Officers)
-Advise and support the Country Directors on financial and administrative matters;
-Ensure compliance with WFP financial policies, procedures, rules and regulations.
-Ensure transparent and efficient utilization of WFP’s financial resources;
-Provide regular and ad hoc financial information to Division/Regional Managers and/or Country Directors to support informed financial decision making;
-Participate in preparing the WFP biennium budgets, budget implementation, monitoring and act as Certifying Officer of the regional office or country office;
-Monitor and advise the Division/Regional Manager and/or Country Directors on the financial status of projects and programmes (including pending and approved budgets; contributions confirmed but not yet available for expenditure; contributions available for expenditure and contributions already expended);
-Propose, develop and implement financial policies and procedures;
-Set up proper accounting procedures and systems, internal controls to ensure that proper monitoring mechanisms are in place;
-Identify weaknesses and address them immediately;
-Ensure that bank reconciliations for WFP accounts are regularly performed and regularly reviewed by designated officials;
- Perform oversight functions; Ensure that disbursements are made based on proper authorisations and supported by legitimate and sufficient documentation;
-Ensure proper maintenance of vendor accounts and timely clearance of outstanding advances and other receivables;
-Coordinate financial closure for entrusted imprest accounts; Respond to audit queries and follow up on audit recommendations;
-Ensure efficient local banking arrangements and compliance with local financial and banking regulations;
-Implement WFP official systems in the office;
-Ensure integrity and consistency of data in WFP financial and accounting systems;
-Draft correspondence and internal procedural directives relating to budgetary and financial matters;
-Contribute to preparedness actions such as early warning, risk analysis and contingency planning and make the necessary recommendations.
-Periodically monitor the management of risks and report on any actions taken;
-Supervise staff as required;

Expected Results:
 Application of expertise in various administrative field including administering staff benefits, filling local posts, and implementing training programs; monitoring budgets and providing accurate and complete accounting, budgetary and financial information; procuring food and non-food items for the country office while adhering to applicable WFP guidelines, policies and procedures. Development and management of effective financial, human resources and procurement operations within country which meet local needs or improves upon already established programmes.

Critical Success Factors:
 Resourcefulness, initiative, maturity of judgments, tact; effective working relations in support of work conducted by other officers. Ability to prioritize work and handle multiple tasks at the same time. Ability to provide seasoned technical advice to managers on a broad range of financial, human resources and other administrative matters; strong interpersonal skills demonstrated by the ability to develop and maintain effective work relationships with counterparts in other offices inside and outside of WFP; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor own work plan and those under his/her supervision; ability to draft clear concise reports on key issues and decisions within the delegated area of responsibility.
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Competencies:
Action Management
Defines work goals and devises plans to attain them. Delegates work appropriately to team members. Follows up on issues and actions to ensure that objectives are achieved. Analyses potential problems and makes recommendations in a proactive manner.

Communication
Provides clear messages on complex information in area of expertise. Values different viewpoints and facilitates constructive discussion. Anticipates the audience’s reactions to messages and adapts communication accordingly.

Ethics & Values
Maintains consistent expectations of staff performance. Applies sound ethics in financial, human resources and business decisions. Takes prompt actions in case of unprofessional behavior of staff.

Teamwork
Recognises interdependencies in cross-functional work. Facilitates the exchange of divergent or opposing opinions within the team. Seeks mutually acceptable solutions by trying to understand the concerns and opinions of others.

Client Orientation
Understands the changing needs and expectations of clients. Ensures that staff meet client needs. Works cooperatively with other units/divisions/offices, etc, to meet client needs. Allows clients to actively participate in and contribute to decisions that are relevant to their needs. Makes adjustments to services as required.

Cognitive Capacity
Actively seeks information from a variety of sources. Synthesizes information based upon in-depth understanding of issues. Draws solid conclusions and/or recommendations. Anticipates the impact or consequence of solutions or proposed ideas.

Interpersonal Relations
Solicits and incorporates varied concerns and perspectives of others in daily work. Recognizes and defuses potentially confrontational situations. Participates in cross-unit/division/office work in a manner that fosters strong working relationships and trust.

Stamina & Stress Resistance
Encourages others to maintain a work-life balance. Expresses concerns constructively and calmly in stressful situations. Identifies and proactively responds to the early signs and symptoms of stress.

Behavioral Flexibility
Actively participates in change by questioning methods, making suggestions. Makes appropriate adjustment in work behaviours/roles based on new information, changing situations and priorities. Analyses the impacts of change on area of expertise.

Initiative
Proposes new ways of accomplishing work objectives. Proactively develops effective solutions to complex problems in own area of expertise. Develops and follows through with a plan of action until desired goals are achieved.

Qualification and Education:
Education:
Advanced University degree (masters or equivalent) in Finance, Business Administration, Accounting or related fields; or University degree in the same subject(s) plus membership in an internationally recognized professional accountancy body such as Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), Institute of Certified Public Accountants (ICPA) or equivalent.

Experience:
 At least five years of postgraduate progressively responsible professional experience in finance with greater independence and decision making authority and more complex budget.

Knowledge:
Training and/or experience utilising computers, including word processing, spreadsheet and other standard WFP software packages and systems. General knowledge of UN system policies, rules, regulations and procedures governing administration.

Language:
Fluency in both oral and written communication in the UN language in use at the duty station and in the duty station’s language, if different.

Interested candidates are requested to send their resumes to:
UN / World Food Programme
By E-mail to:  [email protected]

Applications must be received by 10th  October 2011 @ 15:00hrs

 Only short-listed candidates meeting the required qualifications will be contacted.