World Bank Jobs | Senior Finance Officer / Team Leader Job in Kenya

Job Title: Senior Finance Officer / Team Leader

Job Family: Financial Sector

Location: Nairobi, Kenya

Appointment: Local Hire

Job Posted: 28-Oct-2011

Closing Date: 20-Nov-2011

Language Requirements: English [Essential]; French [Desired]; Portuguese [Desired]

Background / General description

The World Bank’s Controller’s Vice Presidency (CTR) 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 two entities.

The Controller’s Vice Presidency is also responsible for expressing Finance’s viewpoint on controls over Bank operations particularly those which validate the appropriateness of loan disbursements.

Organizationally, CTR comprises the

(1) Financial Instruments Accounting and Valuation,

(2) Loans, and

(3) Client Services Departments, as well as the Financial Analysis and Reporting, Accounting Policy, Knowledge Dissemination, and Operational Risks and Controls units.

These teams collectively include approximately 400 staff; of which 150 are located in Washington with the remaining 250 located in regional offices the largest being in Chennai, India.

The Loan Department (CTRLD) is the focal point within the Bank for exercising fiduciary controls over its lending operations, including responsibility for ensuring that loan funds are used for their intended purposes.

In this regard it collaborates actively and maintains close working relationships with Regional Management, Financial Management (FM) and Procurement (PR) Networks, Legal Department (LEG), Treasury Department (TRE), Concessional Finance and Global Partnerships (CFP), Department of Institutional Integrity (INT) and the Internal Auditing Department (IAD) in discharging this responsibility.

The Loan Department also coordinates closely with Operational Policy and Country Services (OPCS) on professional excellence on the part of all financial professionals employed by the institution, and supports building the capacity of Bank borrowers to enable them to introduce and maintain sound accounting and financial management systems and procedures relating to public funds.

CTRLD has approximately 120 staff, with about one third currently based in Washington, DC and the others located in six main regional centers around the world (Brasilia, Beijing, Zagreb, Chennai, Manila, and Johannesburg).

The Loan Department (CTRLD), which is currently being realigned so as to be more client focused, is primarily responsible for the formulation and administration of the Bank's financial policies and procedures relating to disbursement of funds from IBRD loans, IDA credits, the Project Preparation Facility (PPF), Institutional Development Fund (IDF) Grants, Recipient-Executed Trust Funds and other financial products of the Bank.

As part of this realignment, CTRLD is opening a Regional Center in Nairobi, Kenya. The Nairobi Regional Center will follow the staffing model of others teams –with a solid team of finance assistants, analysts, and a Team Leader who are currently being recruited.

The Team Leader (TL) is responsible for the day-to-day efficient and effective provision of disbursement services within the Nairobi Regional Center.

In fulfilling this role, the Team Lead will provide technical leadership in terms of ensuring that all the current disbursement functions carried out by the Nairobi Regional Center are carried out according to established policies and procedures.

S/he will supervise all regional center staff, and ensure that their work is carried out in compliance with CTRLD policies and procedures.

S/he will report to the Division Manager and will work closely to facilitate the efficient administration and disbursement management of the country portfolios handled by the Regional Center.

The Team Leader will also work closely with Finance Officers in Washington DC to ensure seamless collaboration as projects advance from the preparation stage to negotiations/Board approval and implementation.

The Team Leader upholds CTRLD service standards for quality and responsiveness, appropriately balancing its fiduciary and client service roles. The Team Leader will contribute to departmental and institutional initiatives.

Note: If the selected candidate is a current Bank Group staff member with a Regular or Open-Ended appointment, s/he will retain his/her Regular or Open-Ended appointment. All others will be offered a 3 year renewable term appointment.

Duties and Accountabilities

Staff Supervision and management of day-to-day business:

• Develop and implement regional center's strategy for cost effective and efficient operations, according to department's direction;
• Lead and manage the day-to-day business processes of the Regional Center, including, inter alia, records management, transaction processing and portfolio administration workflows, in accordance with CTRLD policies, procedures, quality and efficiency performance standards established for the unit;
• Establish individual work assignments and workload allocations for staff working at the Regional Center in consultation with the Division Manager;
• In consultation with the Division Manager, support the staff recruitment process and seek to create a professional environment that promotes team work and collaboration. Mentor staff and ensure that they have the skills and capacity to deliver the work program. In delivering on these responsibilities, the Team Leader will work closely with the Human Resources and CTRLD Division Managers;
• Manage staff performance and provide performance and developmental feedback;
• Promote the smooth operation of CTRLD’s global team through the maintenance of appropriate business continuity arrangements.

Technical Leadership:

• Provide technical support to regional center staff, in close consultation with assigned Finance Officers on technical inquiries;
• Escalate issues to the CTRLD leadership team as necessary for a timely resolution;
• Promote staff use of sound professional judgment in the performance of their duties;
• Contribute to established risk management, control and performance measurement activities, and ensure timely follow-up on identified action items;
• Promote and improve efficiency and effectiveness of core business processes, and smooth introduction of business process changes;
• Share unit's knowledge and keep other Regional Center Team Leads and Washington based Finance Officers informed of best practices and complex case resolution.

Portfolio Management:

• Play a key role in ensuring the quality of portfolio management through implementation of standard procedures and monitoring.

Client Support/ Capacity Building:

• Act as CTRLD representative to regional center's clients;
• Provide training and other client support services as required, including participation in missions;
• Build internal awareness and greater understanding of disbursement management processes and procedures and the role of CTRLD
• Respond to ad hoc requests from clients regarding disbursement management operations.

Selection Criteria

• Minimum Education: Masters degree (Postgraduate degree in Finance, Accounting or Business) and/or bachelor's degree with professional certification (CPA, ACCA, CFA or equivalent) and a minimum of 10 years of direct relevant experience in leading teams, portfolio management, project implementation, and/or contract management.
• Proven track record of leading and managing diverse teams, including virtual teams
• Knowledge of internal controls and procedures
• Knowledge of the World Bank operational policies, including understanding of Bank policies and practices related to disbursement and contract management, would be an advantage.
• Good understanding of information systems and the application of new technology.
• Ability to exercise sound professional judgment within the framework of CTRLD policies and procedures, taking into account project considerations.
• Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, in English including in situations requiring diplomacy and negotiation with Borrower representatives. Language skills in French and Portuguese will be a plus.
• Demonstrated capacity to function as a team member of a multi-disciplinary team, to search for common ground and, where appropriate, to recommend decisive action.
• Demonstrated track record of following up on action items and achieving results and acknowledging the contributions of others.
• Experience working in multi-cultural environments and ability to build effective working relations with clients, development partners and Bank staff at all levels.
• Ability to deal with rapidly shifting priorities, work demands and manage complex projects and multiple tasks against ambiguous deadlines.
• Understanding of cross-cutting issues (e.g. procurement, project management, governance, public sector management) at project/sector/country level within the Africa context
• Commitment to continued professional education and willingness to learn new skills.
• Willingness to seek help from and offer help to others, and to deliver CTRLD’s work program within its service standards.
• Ability to coach, mentor and develop the capabilities of junior staff.
• Willingness to travel on short-term assignments.

The World Bank Group is committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, nationality, culture and educational background. Individuals with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply.

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