Roster – Financial Services Specialist

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 or disability.

Are you interested in further developing your professional experience while contributing to ending global hunger? Would you like to join a global organization investing in its people?

An exciting & fulfilling career awaits you! Join our diverse and passionate team that works on varied and international projects directly contributing to saving & changing millions of lives around the globe.

The vacancy announcement is for a roster of consultants with expertise in Financial Services.

Inclusion in the roster does not guarantee any future contractual relation with WFP.

Candidates who will be placed in the roster will not be considered by WFP on a retainer or waiting contract with the organization.

The roster will have a validity of 2 years. During this period shortlisted candidates may receive one or multiple requests for interviews for a position as a Financial Services specialist.

WHO WE ARE

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), a highly prestigious, reputable & world’s largest humanitarian organization, operating in more than 120 countries and territories, bringing life-saving assistance in emergencies, building pathways to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change and supporting sustainable and resilient livelihoods for a world with zero hunger.

At WFP, people are at the heart of everything we do, and the vision of the future WFP workforce is one of diverse, committed, skilled, and high performing teams, selected on merit, operating in a healthy and inclusive work environment, living WFP's values (Integrity, Collaboration, Commitment, Humanity, and Inclusion) and working with partners to save and change the lives of those WFP serves.

To learn more about WFP, visit our website: UN World Food Programme (WFP) and follow us on social media to keep up with our latest news: YouTube, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter.

WHY JOIN US?

WFP is a 2020 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate

WFP offers a highly inclusive, diverse, and multicultural working environment

WFP invests in the personal & professional development of its employees through a range of training, accreditation, coaching, mentorship, and other programs as well as through internal mobility opportunities

A career path in WFP provides an exciting opportunity to work across the various country, regional and global offices around the world, and with passionate colleagues who work tirelessly to ensure that effective humanitarian assistance reaches millions of people across the globe

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT:

Cash-based transfers (CBT) represent an increasing share of WFP’s total humanitarian assistance, and comprise of assistance distributed as physical banknotes, e-money, mobile money, vouchers or through bank accounts/debit cards. In 2022, WFP transferred over US$ 3.2 billion to 52.3 million people in 68 countries, in partnership with over 100 Financial Services Providers (FSP). The focus on essential needs analysis and multipurpose cash was accelerated by COVID-19 and the global food crisis triggered by the recent conflicts, significantly increasing demand also in urban environments and requests for support from Governments.

In support of WFP’s global scale-up of CBT, the Finance function through the Business Development and Cash Based Transfers Branch (FINB) is developing corporate guidance and tools, providing day-to-day technical advice and assistance to regional and country offices, while also undertaking a range of staff capacity-building activities and initiatives.

As FINB undertakes these activities, the Financial Services Specialist will provide guidance to WFP field operations through provision of relevant technical advice, aimed at strengthening regional and country offices capacity to carry out the financial assessments of the FSP selection and contracting process. This assignment may entail travelling to the field as and when needed.

ACCOUNTABILITIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Financial Services Specialist will report to a Finance Officer in Business Development and Cash Based Transfers Branch (FINB) and will undertake the following tasks:

• Provide technical advice and support to Country Offices and Regional Bureaux regarding the financial aspects of the Financial Services Providers (FSP) selection and contracting process, to ensure that the selection of FSPs will be able to adequately support WFP CBT operations:

1. Provide procedural guidance to Regional and Country Offices Finance colleagues on how to implement relevant policies and procedures.
2. Oversee and support the FSP Due Diligence process: Identify and assess strengths, weaknesses and risks related to the FSP and the proposed payment solutions and recommend risk mitigation measures to reduce WFP’s risk exposure. Review Micro Financial Assessments (MiFA), a corporate tool used for assessing FSPs’ financial performance.
3. Review relevant financial regulatory framework and developments in the financial sector, to ensure FSP and WFP alignment with local regulation and financial market.

• Coordinate with Legal, Programme, Procurement divisions and Country Offices/Regional Bureaux, as necessary, to determine the appropriate terms and conditions to be included in the FSP contracts.
• Contribute to the development of relevant policies, procedures and methodologies that would set a corporate standard for managing FSPs risks and performance.
• Contribute, where relevant, to the ongoing initiative to design, develop, test and roll-out the Risk Monitoring tool, which will be part of a Financial CBT database with multiple analytical dashboards and reporting features.
• Engage actively in technical working groups at HQ level and represent the Due Diligence team in cross-functional discussions aimed to support FSP selection processes / streamline business processes and procedures related to CBT.
• Facilitate relevant trainings and workshops as needed and contribute to design training presentations and training modules on FSP related risks and Due Diligence process that can be used during capacity building and knowledge sharing activities.
• All other duties as required

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS: YES

DELIVERABLES AT THE END OF THE CONTRACT:

• All Financial Services Providers (FSP) Due Diligence reports are timely finalized and shared with relevant Country Offices/Regional Bureaux.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

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

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: July 13, 2023

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

Ref.: VA No. 827797

REMINDERS BEFORE YOU SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION

We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, and complete, and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, language skills and UN Grade (if applicable).

Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application.

Please make sure you upload your professional CV in the English language

Kindly note the only documents you will need to submit at this time are your CV and Cover Letter

Additional documents such as passports, recommendation letters, academic certificates, etc. may potentially be requested at a future time

Please contact us at wfprecruitment@wfp.org in case you face any challenges with submitting your application

Only shortlisted candidates will be notified

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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