Overview
To lead the stewardship of WFP resources and the delivery of high-quality, value-for-money enabling services by managing finance, management services and risk functions; strengthening internal controls, compliance and accountability; advising senior management on financial viability, resource utilization and operational risks; and ensuring that assistance to beneficiaries is supported by efficient, transparent and risk-informed business processes.
Key Responsibilities
- Set the strategic direction, priorities and integrated workplan for Finance unit, Management Services and provide support on risk issues, ensuring alignment with the Liberia CSP, corporate policies, resource planning, operational priorities and WFP standards.
- Lead finance, budgeting, accounting and resource management operations in the Country Office, ensuring timely financial reporting, accurate analysis, budget monitoring, cash management, bank reconciliations, monthly closures, disbursements and clearance of receivables in line with corporate requirements.
- Provide authoritative financial advice to senior management, programme teams and field offices on fund management, project budgets, contribution utilization, cost-efficiency, value for money, financial viability, IPSAS compliance and compliance with corporate governance requirements.
- Oversee the design, implementation, monitoring and analysis of budgets for new and ongoing projects, including budget revisions, pipeline analysis and financial forecasting, highlighting trends, anomalies, funding gaps and operational implications for management decision-making.
- Lead the delivery of financial assessments and due diligence for cooperating partners, service providers and other entities, providing clear conclusions and mitigation measures to minimize financial, fiduciary and compliance risks.
- Coordinate financial controls and performance insight, undertaking periodic risk and internal control assessments to identify potential audit, compliance, fraud, operational and financial risks and ensure timely implementation of agreed mitigation actions.
- Lead the establishment and continuous improvement of risk management practices across the Country Office, including risk registers, risk appetite indicators, mitigation action tracking, assurance processes, incident and oversight trend analysis, and integration of risk information into planning and decision-making.
- Coordinate preparation for Internal Audit, External Audit, assurance exercises and oversight missions, ensuring availability of essential documentation, timely management responses and disciplined follow-up on recommendations.
- Promote compliance with WFP policies, rules, regulations and procedures, including Anti-Fraud and Anti-Corruption standards, Zero Tolerance for Inaction, business continuity practices and organizational conflict of interest requirements where applicable.
- Lead Management Services operations to deliver efficient, cost-effective, client-focused and environmentally responsible services, including facilities, assets, fleet, travel, administration and related business support services, ensuring service quality, safety, continuity and value for money.
- Support UN Reform and inter-agency initiatives, including common premises, common back-office, shared services and harmonized business operations where relevant, to improve service quality, efficiency and cost savings.
- Advise and support field office(s) through regular missions, reviews and capacity strengthening, clarifying policy application, documenting gaps, recommending practical solutions and monitoring implementation of corrective actions.
- Identify and drive improvements to policies, systems, standard operating procedures, dashboards and digital tools to strengthen operational efficiency, data integrity, customer service, compliance and accountability across enabling services.
- Represent the Country Office in internal and external fora with UN agencies, banks, government entities, financial institutions, service providers and partners on finance, risk and management services matters.
- Lead, supervise and develop a multidisciplinary team, establishing priorities, delegating appropriately, monitoring progress, providing coaching and feedback, promoting a respectful and inclusive work environment and building capacity of WFP staff and partners.
- Contribute to emergency preparedness and response through early warning, contingency planning, resource readiness, risk analysis, business continuity and timely deployment of enabling-service support to affected areas.
- Perform other related duties as required.
Required Experience
Managing finance, management services and risk functions; strengthening internal controls, compliance and accountability; advising senior management on financial viability, resource utilization and operational risks; ensuring that assistance to beneficiaries is supported by efficient, transparent and risk-informed business processes. Experience in finance, budgeting, accounting and resource management operations. Experience in financial assessments and due diligence for cooperating partners, service providers and other entities. Experience in coordinating financial controls and performance insight. Experience in establishing and continuously improving risk management practices. Experience in coordinating preparation for Internal Audit, External Audit, assurance exercises and oversight missions. Experience in promoting compliance with WFP policies, rules, regulations and procedures. Experience in leading Management Services operations. Experience in supporting UN Reform and inter-agency initiatives. Experience in advising and supporting field offices. Experience in identifying and driving improvements to policies, systems, standard operating procedures, dashboards and digital tools. Experience in representing the Country Office in internal and external fora. Experience in leading, supervising and developing a multidisciplinary team. Experience in contributing to emergency preparedness and response.
Qualifications
Advanced university degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, Public Administration, Audit, Risk Management, International Development or other relevant field, or first university degree with additional years of related work experience and/or training/courses. Membership in an internationally recognized professional accountancy body such as ACCA, ICPA/CPA or equivalent is desirable for finance-heavy portfolios.
