Head of Finance and Support Services, P4

WFP seeks candidates of the highest integrity and professionalism who share our humanitarian principles.

The selection of staff is made on a competitive basis, and we are committed to promoting diversity and gender balance.

Are you ready to change and save the lives of the world's most vulnerable people? If yes, this opportunity is for you!

The United Nations World Food Programme is the world's largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide. Our mission is to help the world achieve Zero Hunger in our lifetimes. Every day, we work worldwide to ensure that no child goes to bed hungry and that the poorest and most vulnerable, particularly women and children, can access the nutritious food they need.

We are looking for a hardworking Head of Finance and Support Services (Finance Officer) hired at the P-4 level to be based in Kampala, Uganda.

COUNTRY CONTEXT:

WFP’s operations in Uganda are guided by the Country Strategic Plan (CSP, 2018-2022) which will be extended to 2025 to align with the NDPIII (2020-2025) and the UNSDCF. Through the CSP, WFP addresses the root causes of food insecurity and malnutrition, supports the refugee response and strengthens social protection systems. WFP Uganda provides lifesaving assistance to 1.2 million refugees with unconditional food and cash transfers and nutrition programmes. The CO is in the process of growing CBT operations from the current 38% in 2020 and up to 70% by 2022. Cash modalities include agency banking, mobile money, and cash (Bank on Wheels). Other key activities include support to market systems and linking smallholder farmers to markets created by cash, nutrition treatment and prevention, homegrown school meals, and support to the government for social protection. Uganda also acts as a central logistics hub for the region.

The CO governance structure includes the Country Director, 2 Deputy Country Directors, and the Country Management Team (CMT) which includes Heads of Units /Area Offices (direct reports of the CD/DCD) that: provides strategic leadership and management for WFP UG CO; responsible for creating and delivering against the WFP Corporate Global Strategy, Country Strategy & Annual Performance Plan and Priorities. There are three area offices which support field operations, as well as 3 central warehouses. There are currently approximately 550 staff in the country.

JOB PURPOSE:

This position leads all aspects of finance, budget, administration, and technology. The ideal candidate should have strong technical knowledge and experience required to identify, analyse and resolve complex financial issues. They should provide technical expertise, advice and solutions that support strategic results, and formulate new strategies and technical approaches where appropriate. This position reports to the Deputy Country Director, IRM.

MAIN ACCOUNTABILITIES:

As Head of Finance and Support Services at the P-4 level, you will:

Contribute to the deliveries of Country Wide Priorities, CSP outcome, and actively participate in the UGCO CMT.

• Support the corporate finance and resource management strategies, through supporting the development of strategically aligned policies, and participating in key programmatic initiatives, and embedding value for money in these initiatives through advice on financial assessment, reporting and accounting.
• Determine indicators to measure cost efficiency and effectiveness, and report for assessment outcomes within the units.
• Provide support and advice to Management and other staff in administration, budgeting, financial issues and regularly prepare reports for enhanced and objective strategic decisions.
• Lead WFP positioning within the UN OMT and BOS roll out.

Lead and manage the Finance, Administration, ICT, and Budget Programming Units.

• Propose and implement innovative financial, administrative, technological, budgeting and resource management policies, plans and solutions to achieve programmatic goals, improve efficiency and effectiveness of operations, minimise risk, and align services with business objectives.
• Coordinate the delivery of accurate financial reporting and analyses in accordance with International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS), ensuring accuracy, deadlines, accounting processes and corporate governance requirements are aligned with the Organization.
• Design, monitor and analyse budgets for new and ongoing projects according to established corporate procedures and requirements. Operational budgets are prepared, allocated, monitored and variance analysis is carried out on a regular basis and shared with management.
• Enhance resource analysis reporting and support activity managers embrace available reporting tools for informed decision making. Conduct crossed functional training in resource management to understand key regulation related to contribution, CSP planning and budgeting, expense/ cash-flow, and reporting.
• Build cohesive and strong team within and across Finance, Administration, ICT, Budget Programming units through management of work plans, communications and performance monitoring. Organize, encourage staff participation in training that support the career aspiration, and development plans.

Strengthen and efficiently manage internal business controls of the Uganda Country Office and sub offices and ensure adequate controls in place for cash based transfers.

• Maintain up to date UGCO delegation authorities, enhance visibility and accountability through clear composition of committee and SOPs
• High financial risks transactions per financial dashboard, covering cash management, accounts receivable (vendor and staff) management, accounts payable management and upstream procurement management are actioned upon.
• Together with relevant units, review and strengthen the management of Cash Based Transfers. Assess the CBT financial strength of service provider, obtain financial guarantee and monitor the performance in aligned with contractual agreement.

STANDARD MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Experience:

• Has experience in multiple specialized financial areas.
• Has managed complex financial operations, administration and budgets in large country offices.
• Management of large teams with varied strengths.

Academic:

• You have an advanced University degree in Finance, Business Administration, Accounting, or related fields, or First University degree in the same subject(s) with additional years of related work experience plus membership in an international recognized professional accountancy body such as Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), Institute of Certified Public Accounts (ICPA) or equivalent.

Language:

• You are fluent in oral and written English.
• You have an intermediate knowledge of another UN language (French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Russian) or Portuguese (one of WFP’s working languages).

Skills:

• You have strong technical knowledge and experience to identify, analyse and resolve complex financial issues.
• You are able to provide technical expertise, advice and solutions that support strategic results.
• You have the capability to formulate new strategies and technical approaches where appropriate.
• You have excellent written and verbal communication skills.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

The selected candidate will be employed on a fixed-term contract with a probationary period of one year. He/she will be required to travel abroad sometime to remote and challenging locations.

Mobility is and continues to be a core contractual requirement in WFP. These positions are rotational, which means that the person shall be subject to the regular reassignment process unless the position is reclassified as non-rotational. Professional-level positions are rotational on a period of 2 to 4 years.

WFP offers an attractive compensation and benefits package, including basic salary, post adjustment, relocation entitlement, travel and shipment allowances, 30 days’ annual leave, home leave, an education grant for dependent children, pension plan and medical insurance.

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

20 September 2020

VA Number: 123738

ABOUT WFP

The United Nations World Food Programme is the world's largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide.  The mission of WFP is to help the world achieve Zero Hunger in our lifetimes.  Every day, WFP works worldwide to ensure that no child goes to bed hungry and that the poorest and most vulnerable, particularly women and children, can access the nutritious food they need.

Female applicants and qualified applicants from developing countries are especially encouraged to apply

WFP has zero-tolerance for discrimination and does not discriminate on the basis of HIV/AIDS status.

No appointment under any kind of contract will be offered to members of the UN Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), International Civil Service Commission (ICSC), FAO Finance Committee, WFP External Auditor, WFP Audit Committee, Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) and other similar bodies within the United Nations system with oversight responsibilities over WFP, both during their service and within three years of ceasing that service.