Finance Assistant SC5, Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic

WFP encourages female candidates and people with disabilities to apply.

WFP seeks candidates of the highest integrity and professionalism who share our humanitarian principles. Selection of staff is made on a competitive basis. We are committed to promoting diversity and the principle of equal employment opportunity for all our employees and encourage qualified candidates to apply irrespective of religion or belief, ethnic or social background, gender, gender identity and disability.

  This vacancy announcement is for Nationals from the Kyrgyz Republic. 

BACKGROUND

In strong partnership with the Government of Kyrgyz Republic, WFP Country Strategic Plan 2023 – 2027 (CSP) aims to enhance social protection and human capitals, emergency preparedness and response, disaster risk management and climate change adaptation as well as promote healthy and nutritious diets in schools to address food security and nutrition issues in the country. The CSP activities are aligned with the country’s priorities described in the National Development Programme for 2022 – 2026 and derived from United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework for 2023 – 2027 (UNSDCF).

The Finance, Admin and IT Unit in the WFP Country Office, including services of IT, travel and fleet management, consolidates its roles as a proactive and solution-oriented platform to support and advise both the management and other units. Capacity strengthening of the unit staff members and training on WFP financial and admin rules and regulations to the other staff members is one of the key areas. Proactive support with practical solutions on key management issues is another focus. The office needs to adapt to emerging financial management practices and technologies with innovative projects and continuously review its process to maximise WFP’s efficiency in the use of resources. The office focuses on increased efficiency in the use of financial resources and contributes to sustaining the reputation that WFP is an accountable and reliable partner to all its stakeholders in its efforts towards achieving a world without hunger.

Some of the key tasks are the following but not limited to: improvement of internal control and corporate assurance measures; development of SOPs on travel, budget use and other key issues; UN coordination on Business Operation Strategy (BOS) and other financial/admin issues through OMT, OSH and other platforms; coordination with the Government on taxation, VAT reimbursement, and other financial/admin issues; timely update on WFP corporate systems and reports; support for the management on corporate initiatives, accountability and assurance matters as well as the other financial/admin/IT issues as needed; support for the programme and other unit activities including cash-based transfer, insurance, procurement, amongst others.

PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT:

Under the direct supervision of the Finance and Administration Officer, the Employee is expected to coordinate and provide finance, budget and administration support services involving the recording and interpretation of financial and budgetary information to ensure the efficient functioning of the support services and inform decision-making.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES:

1. Assist in providing the procedural and technical support to staff within the areas of finance and budget, to ensure compliance with WFP financial policies, rules and regulations.
2. Monitor monthly expenditure forecasts and provide expenditure reports in order to facilitate informed decision-making. 
3. Monitor the sub-imprest bank and petty cash accounts regularly, to ensure that adequate funds are available and appropriately disbursed. 
4. Verify vendor claims, advances and other receivables and observe appropriate procurement procedures, to ensure that suppliers are paid in a timely manner and in conformance with WFP finance rules and regulations. 
5. Assist in compiling information from various sources in order to prepare reports relating to budgets, accounting, finance and statistics.
6. Retrieve, format and validate information obtained from various financial information systems and bring any discrepancy or inaccuracy to the attention of the supervisor and follow up corrective actions. 
7. Perform administrative duties related to the monitoring and recording of fixed assets, spend on fuel and spare parts for vehicles and generators, to ensure that the databases are accurately updated. 
8. Maintain the web-based register for all invoices and payment transfers and record paperwork, to ensure that all documents are maintained and filed in compliance with WFP standards and guidelines. 
9. Monitor and record all expenses in line with the approved budget in order to ensure that correct expenditure costs are charged and payments to external suppliers, cash grants and other supplier invoices are processed in a timely manner.  
10. Provide guidance and on-the-job training to other support staff, to ensure services are delivered consistently and to the required standards.

SPECIFIC JOB REQUIREMENTS

1. Prepare VAT Reimbursement Report and Coordinate with Tax Office
2. Serve as a Focal Point for Local Banks and Provide Support for WFP Staff
3. Provide Backup Support for Finance Associate
4. Prepare Payment Orders
5. Manage Petty Cash as a Cashier
6. Manage Invoices via Electronic Invoice Portal
7. Handle Logistics VAT Exemption and Report Taxes Online
8. Support during Month-End and Year-End Reporting
9. Perform Other Tasks as Requested by Head of Unit

Internal Controls & Compliance Demonstrates basic knowledge of internal controls, risk management, and monitoring mechanisms and their applicability to WFP’s critical  activities.

Performance Budgeting, Analysis & Reporting Demonstrates participation in business planning efforts by developing basic project-level budgets and forecasts, incorporating information from various sources as appropriate to monitor KPIs.

Resource Management Demonstrates ability to track and compile reports on HQ and Field staffing and resource usage on a project-level basis.

Financial Mgmt. & Accounting Principles Applies knowledge of financial and accounting principles and practices to ensure compliance with WFP policies, applicable procedures and accounting standards.

Supply Chain and Operations Knowledge Demonstrates basic understanding of WFP programme, implementation, and supply chain principles (including project modalities & structures). 

DESIRED EXPERIENCE FOR ENTRY INTO THE ROLE:

• Has experience collecting and monitoring financial data on projects and programmes, assessing financial health and status, and reporting findings to senior leaders.

Education: Completion of secondary school education. A post-secondary certificate in the related functional area is desirable.

Experience:  At least five years of progressively responsible work experience in the field of finance, accounting, budget, audit or other related field

Language: Fluency (level C) in English and Russian languages, knowledge of Kyrgyz considered an asset.

All WFP Employees are expected to demonstrate the competencies and standards of behaviour aligned with our core values and defined in the WFP LEADERSHIP FRAMEWORK, namely:  

Leading by example with integrity,  

Driving results and delivering on commitments,  

Fostering inclusive and collaborative teamwork,  

Applying strategic thinking,  

Building and maintaining sustainable partnerships.  

HOW TO APPLY

To be considered, interested candidates are invited to apply via (https://www.wfp.org/careers/job-openings). Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

WFP will not request payment at any stage of the recruitment process including at the offer stage. Any requests for payment should be refused and reported to local law enforcement authorities for appropriate action. 

Request for Disability related Reasonable Accommodations: 

It is important to WFP to create an accessible and inclusive workplace for everyone.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.  If you require reasonable accommodation in completing this application, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, or otherwise participating in the selection and hiring process, please direct your request and inquiries to the Diversity and Inclusion team on:  [email protected], cc’ing [email protected]. A member of the reasonable accommodation team will contact you to confidentially discuss your needs. 

This email is only to be used for any disability related accessibility requirements, and not for sending the application itself. Due to volume of applications, any applications or CVs sent through this email address will not be considered as a formal application and will not receive a reply from WFP. 

Please note that WFP may keep candidates who successfully passed recruitment tests and interviews, but were not the first-choice candidate selected for a position, on a roster for similar (or lower-level) upcoming positions or short-term opportunities for direct contracting. Successful candidates will be informed about their inclusion into the roster.
 

WFP is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce. WFP has zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, abuse of authority or discrimination. All selected candidates will, undergo rigorous reference and background checks. 

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.