Budget and Programming Officer, CPPX

WFP celebrates and embraces diversity. It is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all its employees and encourages qualified candidates to apply irrespective of race, colour, national origin, ethnic or social background, genetic information, gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, HIV status, physical or mental disability.

Job Title: Budget and Programming Officer

Type of Contract: Regular Consultancy

Division: Programme Services Branch (CPPX), Corporate Planning and Performance Division (CPP)

Duty Station (City, Country): Rome, Italy

Duration: 11 months

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT:

The Corporate Planning & Performance Division (CPP) is part of the Resource Management Department. CPP embodies an end-to-end process in the knowledge, expertise, and systems essential to delivering WFP’s results-based management, budgeting products and services. The Programming Services Branch (CPPX) serves as a source of budgetary and funds management analysis, guidance and support for WFP Country and Regional Offices, enhancing budget and resource management in WFP Offices Worldwide.

The new Strategic Plan (2022–2025) outlines how WFP, working in synergy with others, can efficiently and effectively save and change lives. It is grounded within renewed global commitment to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its associated Sustainable Development Goals. Country Strategic Plans (CSP) serve as a vehicle for implementing the strategic plan at the country level.

CPP is leading on the implementation of the new Strategic Plan, upgrading existing platforms to deliver on their mandate of overseeing planning, monitoring, and reporting on WFP operations and results. WFP will also seek to optimize the field budget processes and operations requirements.

The Budget and Programming Officer (BPO) will lead budget and resource analysis, support budget planning activities, and provide technical support within HQ and to RBs and COs in relation to budgetary and financial related processes, tools, and systems. The BPO will work in Programming Services (CPPX) and coordinate with other CPP staff in the Strategic Plan Implementation and in reviewing and optimizing field budget processes. The BPO will also partner with senior management to apply best practice approaches in the efficient and effective compliant utilisation and reporting of funds. Operating with minimal supervision, the BPO will provide guidance to junior staff and be involved in day–to-day activities, analytical work and provide advice on technical issues.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

Optimization of field budget processes to enhance resources-to-results

1. Co-lead on the budget planning process for the implementation of the new strategic plan;
2. Coordinate with CPP/HQ Units and TEC in defining, testing, and implementing a technical solution for “unbundling” to enable reporting at sub-activity level, building on current systems and available tools;
3. Coordinate the process to optimize, harmonize, and align field budget planning tools (e.g., Implementation Plan, Needs-Based Plan, Pipeline);
4. Analyse and review the current system of establishing programming rates, and lead a Programming Rates Review to examine options for alternative, more efficient procedures;
5. Support the development and implementation of plans, policies and procedures for budget and programming activities, ensuring that objectives are achieved in compliance with corporate and functional strategies.

Other

1. Represent CPP/CPPX on the budget planning process at internal discussions with other stakeholders, including field colleagues;
2. Contribute toward the development and improvement of systems, techniques, tools, processes, and procedures to better monitor and manage WFP budgets and resources;
3. Document internal business processes, develop Standard Office Procedures (SOPs) and training packages on resource management matters, and provide on-boarding briefs to newcomers in the team;
4. Support Budget and Programming function activities, including timely clearance and feedback of Country Portfolio Budgets; efficient resource programming and/or adjustments in support of Country Offices; management and coaching of team members on business processes
5. Perform other relevant duties as required.

DELIVERABLES AT THE END OF THE CONTRACT:

1. Budget planning tools (e.g., Implementation Plan, Needs-Based Plan, Pipeline) are optimized, aligned with business requirements, integrated into business processes, cleared, and shared with field offices and HQ Units;
2. Methodology for the unbundling to enable reporting at sub-activity level and output costing is finalized, cleared by CPP and relevant HQ units, and approved by the CPP Director;
3. Business case to implement the unbundling methodology is prepared for TEC in coordination with CPP Units, relevant HQ Units and Regional Bureaux; follow up with TEC on the development and the rollout of the new system to enable reporting at sub-activity level;
4. Guidelines / training for end users are prepared and rolled out, detailing the unbundling methodology and the revised budget planning tools;
5. Revised methodology for the calculation of the programming rates is prepared in consultation with the field and HQ Units, endorsed, and shared with Country Offices and Regional Bureaux;
6. Regular updates and reports are prepared and shared with CPP management.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

Education:

Advanced University degree in Business Administration, Statistics, Finance, Economics or other relevant field, or First University degree with additional years of related work experience.

Experience:

6-10 years of post-graduate, progressively responsible, job-related experiences in Budget Planning, Resource Management, Operations Management, Supply Chain Management, Business Planning, Promotion of Value-for-Money, and Performance Reporting.

Knowledge & Skills:

Good understanding of WFP operations and business processes, rules and procedures is preferred.

Collaborative spirit and team player, working with multiple stakeholders to solicit information and inputs to work requirements.

Proven abilities to proactively approach problem solving and generate ideas for optimal team outcomes amidst operational challenges and resource constraints. Ability to work and act under pressure and liaise with a wide range of people at all levels.

Excellent communication skills, both written and oral. Experience in drafting user guidance and training materials on technical processes.

Ability to lead teams proactively, providing resource management solutions that enhance the deliverance of value for money to our beneficiaries, aligning staff practices with mission critical priorities, as appropriate.

Ability to consolidate and share resource management information, emphasizing accuracy and consistency in numbers across teams, making relevant conclusions.

Language:

Fluency in English and knowledge of another UN language (e.g. Spanish, French, Arabic) is desirable.

Terms and Conditions:

WFP offers a competitive compensation package which will be determined by the contract type and selected candidate’s qualifications and experience.

Please visit the following websites for detailed information on working with WFP: http://www.wfp.org

Click on: “Our work” and “Countries” to learn more about WFP’s operations.

Qualified female applicants and qualified applicants from developing countries are especially encouraged to apply. WFP has zero tolerance for discrimination and does not discriminate on the basis of HIV/AIDS status

Deadline for applications: Wednesday, 12 October 2022

Please note that the deadline is at 11:59 pm Rome time (GMT + 1)

Ref.: VA No. 174027

Kindly note the only documents you need to submit at this time are your CV and Cover Letter. Additional documents such as passport, recommendation letters, academic certificates, etc. may potentially be requested at a future time.

All employment decisions are made on the basis of organizational needs, job requirements, merit, and individual qualifications. WFP is committed to providing an inclusive work environment free of sexual exploitation and abuse, all forms of discrimination, any kind of harassment, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. Therefore, 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.

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