(Associate) Finance Officer – GF  

IFC a member of the World Bank Group is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets. We work in more than 100 countries, using our capital, expertise, and influence to create markets and opportunities. Our mission is to leverage the power of the private sector to end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity on a livable planet. For more information, please visit www.ifc.org.

The Vice Presidency for Corporate Support (COSVP) integrates Budget and Business Administration, HR, Communication, Strategy, and Information & Technology functions under one umbrella to enable the execution of IFC’s management and operational needs in the best way. Within COSVP, the Budget and Business Administration department (CBA) plays a pivotal role in allocating IFC scarce resources and aligning them to IFC 3.0 by leveraging budget as a management tool to mainstream the corporate strategy, creating profitability and efficiency metrics, improving the scorecard, and overseeing procurement and facilities administration.

The Finance Unit (CBAEC) for the Europe Region is responsible for budgeting, financial reporting and resource management for all offices in the CEU Region.  Overall, CBAEC maintains cost efficiency and effective controls over all financial transactions and provides support for effective management of resources.
Within the CBAEC unit, CBA is seeking a Finance Officer for the Europe region. The role provides finance support to CEU Management and reports to the Senior Finance Officer, CBAEC.

The position will be located in London, with responsibility for the Western Europe Offices.  Some travel within the region may be required.

Duties and Accountabilities:

The Finance Officer will be responsible for day-to-day CBAEC operations in Western Europe Offices including London, Paris, Frankfurt and Brussels, leading and managing CBA staff in Western Europe, working closely with colleagues to drive consistency in operations across these offices. In addition, the Finance Officer will work as a VPU budget coordinator and a reporting and analytics lead for CBAEL.  Responsibilities include but are not limited to : 

1. Country Management and Operational Support (Western Europe countries)
• Supervise CBAEC staff in London and provide day to day guidance to the teams and country office staff on finance processes.  Ensure WBG/IFC accounting and administrative policies and procedures are communicated and followed by staff.
• Help improve consistency and standardization of operations for a broad range of financial management processes across all offices. 
• Work closely with the Senior Manager / Head of Offices to ensure a strong control environment in the office, providing advice on control issues and sharing recommendations for improvement. 
• Ensure that audit, quality assurance review and IRI recommendations are implemented in the offices.
• Collaborate and work closely with IBRD BPS on shared resources between WBG entities.  Work closely with CBA facilities on WBG MOUs for Western Europe Countries.
• Support the Senior Manager for Western Europe and the regional team on country office budget formulation exercises. 
• Prepare ad-hoc analysis as requested or proactively as may deem useful to clients, i.e. country leadership, regional anchors, etc. 
• Work closely with CBA facilities to drive timely completion of capital budgeting, planning and execution of facilities activities in Western Europe Offices.

2. VPU Budget Coordinator 
• Support CAO and RFCs on CEL budget formulation, allocation, monitoring and forecast process.
• Provide analysis and reporting activities working closely with CAO and regional controllers.
• Identify trends and variations, identify/resolve issues, and discuss them with CAO, RFCs and relevant staff.
• Seek opportunities to improve processes aiming for standardization and efficiency. Engage proactively seeking input in a collaborative approach to define and implement changes.
• Provide value-added services and guidance to clients on resource utilization that aligns with business strategies and priorities.  
• Ensure strong collaboration with the HR Business Partners to manage resource affordability.

3. Financial Reports, Analytics and Business Intelligence
• Act as a regional reporting and analytics anchor, support CAO and RFC on reporting and analytics.
• Collaborate with CBAEL Finance Team to follow consistent corporate level best practices and guidelines in reporting analytics, forecasting and business intelligence.
• Work closely with CBARE on office ecology and other footprint analytics.
• Prepare ad-hoc analysis as requested or proactively as may deem useful to clients.
• Be a member of CBAEC Finance team and contribute to HQ/regional initiatives

4. Team Management
• Lead and manage the Finance Analyst in London and develop a team in the most effective and efficient manner to strengthen internal control environment of the offices.  
• Keep abreast of changes in corporate policies and strategic priorities and translate into them into practical and technical guidance to the team.  
• Play a key role in building strong collaborative relationships with operations and other support functions

Selection Criteria

• Master Degree with at least 5-7 years of financial management experience in corporate setting.  Recognized professional accreditation (CPA, CIMA, ACCA, etc) and/or experience in Big 4 auditing firms an added advantage
• Sound knowledge and understanding of accounting theory, concepts and principles, combined with proven practical skills in financial accounting reporting, business planning, work programming, budgeting, financial management, audit
• Excellent professional judgment
• Proven people management skills, with ability to lead, coach, mentor and develop subordinate staff
• Advanced skills in Excel and Access, working knowledge of Microsoft office, other resource management systems used by IFC is a plus.
• Fluency in English.  Working knowledge of French and/or German is a plus.  
• Strong conceptual, analytical, problem solving and evaluation skills
• Ability to conduct independent research and analysis, identify issues, formulate options, draw conclusions, submit recommendations, and convince others on course of action
• Outstanding communication skills (in English) with the ability to communicate and present complex subjects clearly and concisely
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Prior experience in ERP applications (SAP) a significant advantage
• Knowledge of Donor Funded Operations and/or WBG policies an added advantage
• Strong problem-solving skills

World Bank Group Core Competencies

The World Bank Group offers comprehensive benefits, including a retirement plan; medical, life and disability insurance; and paid leave, including parental leave, as well as reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity and inclusive employer with a dedicated and committed workforce, and do not discriminate based on gender, gender identity, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability.

Learn more about working at the World Bank and IFC, including our values and inspiring stories.

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