Financial Officer

Do you want to build a career that is truly worthwhile? Working at the World Bank Group provides a unique opportunity for you to help our clients solve their greatest development challenges. The World Bank Group is one of the largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing countries; a unique global partnership of five institutions dedicated to ending extreme poverty, increasing shared prosperity, and promoting sustainable development. With 189 member countries and more than 120 offices worldwide, we work with public and private sector partners, investing in groundbreaking projects and using data, research, and technology to develop solutions to the most urgent global challenges. For more information, visit www.worldbank.org 

The World Bank Group Finance & Accounting (WFA) Vice Presidential Unit is responsible for all aspects of the financial reporting and internal control framework for the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), the International Development Association (IDA), and the extensive Trust Fund / Partnership portfolio of these entities. WFA also leads the client shared service function for the WBG corporate expenses and WBG trust funds, ensures fiduciary responsibility for all disbursements related to Bank operations.

Located within the WBG Corporate Accounting & Reporting Department (WFACA), the Structured Finance Division (WFASF) is responsible for product control functions for financial instruments, including borrowings and investments, as utilized by IBRD, IDA, MIGA and Trust Funds for their operations, except for pension funds. These include financial instrument product aligned accounting, set-up of financial models and valuation review, market data sourcing and verification, implementing accounting policies around financial instruments, independent price verification for investments, financial instrument related data management, exercising internal controls to ensure accuracy of accounting ledgers and financial statements regarding these financial instruments. In addition, WFASF team is involved in a host of critical institutional projects and initiatives that seek to enhance WB’s ability to capture and integrate data from different sources into, accounting, valuation and reporting systems and ultimately enable analysis that serves financial and / or management reporting needs. 

This position is that of the Financial Officer in Chennai (WFASC) supporting valuation work program, which is an extension of the WFASF team in Washington DC (HQ). 

Note: If the selected candidate is a current Bank Group staff member with a Regular or Open-Ended appointment, s/he will retain her/his Regular or Open-Ended appointment. All others will be offered a 4-year term appointment. 

What you will do:

The Financial Officer will work as part of a team of professionals to meet the unit’s responsibilities as they relate to the valuation and accounting of financial instruments.  Responsibilities will include the following:

• Produce valuations for the financial instruments’ portfolios, utilizing platforms such as Numerix OneView, Murex, Summit, and internally built systems.
• Preparation and quality assurance of calculated market data, evaluation of data sources, and verification of the data reliability for valuations of borrowings and loan portfolios.
• Compare and analyze WB valuations versus corresponding Counterparty valuations and other alternative sources.
• Analyze the results of sensitivity to market movements by utilizing Numerix OneView tools and formalizing into procedures and reporting
• Verify trade set-up and trade modifications
• Develop expectations, perform analysis, prepare / review, and present sign-off commentaries, suggest, and implement solutions in a proactive manner
• Prepare / present various financial and management reports, as required by the department or other stakeholders
• Review accounting entries and perform daily/monthly control activities for the borrowings and liquid investments portfolios
• Lead / support efforts to implement institutional projects and business initiatives
• Translate new initiatives / financial products into new processes and / or system requirements. This would include performing requirement (business specifications) gathering and documentation, design review and analysis, user acceptance testing, implementation and maintenance of systems supporting various portfolios
• Collaborate with business and information technology teams across locations to address system issues and implement solutions promptly
• Proactively interact with World Bank Treasury (TRE) front office business units and loans team to stay abreast of new / proposed activities that may have valuation, accounting or reporting implications.
• Provide services to clients within and outside the Bank by providing financial information, training programs and related materials.
• Coordinate with / support external and internal auditors, when required
• Exercise fiduciary responsibility by reviewing policies and procedures and ensuring they are correctly followed.
• Staying abreast of accounting pronouncements and industry best practice as it relates to accounting / valuation of financial instruments.
• Continually look for opportunities to improve processes and internal controls.  Be responsible for promoting controls and ensuring compliance in WFA.
• Maintain and develop processes, procedures, documentation and internal controls around portfolios handled, with the objective of increasing efficiency and accuracy.

Selection Criteria

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree(s) in Engineering, Finance, and/or Economics and a minimum of 8 years’ relevant experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• CA/CPA/ACCA and/or FRM/CFA. Master’s degree(s) in Accounting, Finance, and/or Economics may be considered in lieu of CPA/CA/ACCA and/or FRM/CFA.
• Professional experience with major financial institutions with practical knowledge of product control functions (such as valuation and accounting) related to financial instruments

Core Technical Knowledge:

• Deep knowledge of treasury products / financial instruments (i.e. capital and money market instruments – particularly fixed income instruments) and loan products (i.e. loans, credit and guarantees) and their related accounting and valuation treatment
• Good knowledge of financial models used for the valuation of fixed income instruments.
• Hands-on experience of using Summit / Murex / Numerix OneView system would be a distinct advantage
• Sound experience in using Bloomberg/Reuters
• Good understanding of market data requirements for capital market related trading activities
• Proven quantitative and qualitative analytical skills, including excellent spreadsheet skills. Familiarity with financial modeling techniques and writing macros will be a plus
• Ability to contribute to team performance with strong interpersonal and communication skills
• High level of initiative, self-confidence and a self-starter; proven problem-solving skills, ability to deliver high quality results and operates with minimum supervision
• Diplomacy and strong interpersonal skills; commitment to work in a team-oriented, multi-cultural environment; detail oriented
• Proven capacity to multi-task, deliver results and respond quickly and effectively to requests.  Ability and desire to meet tight deadlines
• Excellent verbal and written communication and presentation skills
• Highest ethical standards

Source: https://worldbankgroup.csod.com/ats/careersite/JobDetails.aspx?id=27095&site=1