Budget & Finance Officer

To provide accounting policy guidance and support across the SEA Region. Ensure effective financial controls exist and are properly managed through guidance and post-facto compliance checking, as well as ex-ante certification when required. Ensure effective financial controls exist and are properly managed. Ensure income is managed appropriately for all sources of funding, and advise budget centres on all aspects of income and awards management. Monitor the general ledger and sub ledgers and take action where necessary to correct errors. Coordinate the monthly and annual financial closure processes at country and regional level. Monitor and follow-up audit recommendations in the Region. Act as focal point for countries, technical units, Global Service Center and other business areas for accounting matters concerning the SEA Region.

Duties: 

Under the general supervision of the Director, Administration and Finance, the incumbent will be managing the budget, financial accounts, compliance, and staff health insurance activities of the Regional Office, WHO Representative Offices and projects. In particular, he/she will ensure that:

The financial records of the region are fully compliant with the rules and regulations of the organization and the integrity of the financial records can withstand the scrutiny of internal and external audits; staff health insurance benefits are administered in SEAR in accordance with WHO policy:

• Make decisions and provide guidance on individual financial transactions, banking arrangements and cash flow management, as required.
• Manage and lead the conduct of compliance reviews to ensure that rules, regulations, and delegation of authority are fully adhered to in all offices within the Region.
• Manage the coordination and responses to all internal and external audits within the region or to specialized reviews such as from JIU, EU, GAVI or others. Track the audit findings and ensure that all audits are closed within the stipulated timeframes. Monitor the implementation of actions against audit recommendations, informing senior management of systemic or policy-related problems.
• Prepare the annual and biennial closure of regional accounts for submission to HQ. Finalize financial and other reports for submission to governing bodies, Member States, donor agencies and others.
• Act as the Staff Health Insurance Officer for the Region to liaise with Global Standing Committee/SHI, on matters of health insurance.

All managers are apprised of the financial rules, regulations and policies impacting their decision-making, SEAR personnel understand their responsibilities and accountability with financial compliance, managers properly budget, plan and implement donor agreements, and users of the financial components of GSM are trained in its proper use.

• Provide guidance in the form of policy circulars and instructions.
• Assist Department Directors and WHO Representatives in negotiating, estimating and finalizing donor agreements to allow receipt and appropriate use of extra-budgetary resources.
• Plan and conduct periodic training to managers and staff on specific financial principles, rules and procedures.

Senior management is well informed of the financial status of the regional, departmental and country office budget implementation, the financial policies affecting the Organization, and the financial implications of decisions taken by them; Member States are apprised of the financial implementation in the Region and the implication of policies brought before the governing bodies of WHO.

• Provide advice to Director, Administration and Finance, the Regional Director and other senior management, on all budgetary and financial matters and the budgetary and financial implications of specific proposals; provide expert advice to WHO SEAR staff on all budget and finance matters.
• Independently provide briefings and monthly financial reports to the Regional Director and senior management, bringing key issues of concern to their attention.
• Conduct ad-hoc fiscal studies, e.g. for per diem, travel costs and contracts, education grants, local housing costs, post adjustments, local salaries, APW and DFC usage, or delegation of authority, making recommendations for modifications to policy or procedures as appropriate.
• Provide guidance to Member States and presentations at governing body meetings on the implementation of the Regional program budget.

The concerns or positions of the SEA Region are advised to HQ, with respect to financial, compliance, budgetary, health insurance and related matters, such that these points are taken into considerations when HQ is developing policy.

• Review, revise and develop existing and new fiscal and administrative policies for the region and the organization in collaboration with HQ and counterparts in other regions to ensure sound budget and finance practices and adequate control.
• Represent the Regional Office in WHO global and inter-regional meetings and in consultations/negotiations with national authorities on matters related to financial management.

The Budget and Finance Office works in an efficient and effective manner, with coherence within the team and in collaboration with all other offices of WHO.

• Manage a team of professional and support staff in Budget and Finance, setting priorities and ensuring efficient and effective provision of timely support services to all departments/staff in the Region.
• Provide Budget and Finance staff with support, training, guidance, and feedback on performance; address poor performance issues promptly; align individual staff assignments to maximize use of their competencies.
• Clearly articulate the roles and responsibilities of the team members; periodically review and adjust the organizational structure of the Budget and Finance Office to ensure maximum efficiency.
• Lead the Budget and Finance regional network, with representatives of each country office, ensuring their knowledge of sound financial principles, adherence to WHO rules, and ability to provide meaningful and accurate information to their County Office Representatives or Administrative Officers.

Required Qualifications:

Education:

Essential:

• Advanced university (post graduate) degree in business administration, finance or related field.

Experience

Essential:

• At least 10 years of professional experience in financial management, including considerable experience obtained in international context, of which at least 5 years in managerial or supervisory roles. Experience in the preparation and presentation of analytical financial reports.

Skills:

• Thorough knowledge of financial practices and procedures in accounting and budgeting. Demonstrated problem-solving and analytical abilities. Excellent inter-personal and communication skills and ability to supervise in a multi-cultural setting. Ability to develop, lead and motivate an effective team.

Essential:

• Expert knowledge of English.

Source:  https://careers.who.int/careersection/ex/jobdetail.ftl?job=2402161