Local Term Appointment
Three (3) Years,
Location: Bamako, Mali
Background / General Description
Thanks to the success of the past few decades and favorable economic growth, developing countries now have an unprecedented opportunity to end extreme poverty within a generation. This is the vision of the World Bank Group (WBG): to eradicate extreme poverty by reducing the number of people living on less than $1.25 a day to 3 percent by 2030, and promote shared prosperity by fostering the income growth of the bottom 40 percent in every country.
To achieve this vision, the WBG Board of Governors has approved a strategy for the organization. This strategy leverages the combined strength of the WBG institutions and their unique ability to partner with the public and private sectors to deliver customized development solutions backed by finance, world class knowledge and convening services. The strategy has three components: (1) maximizing development impact by engaging country clients in identifying and tackling the most difficult development challenges; (2) promoting scaled-up partnerships that are strategically aligned with the goals; and (3) crowding in public and private resources, expertise and ideas.
The architecture underpinning the strategy and instrumental to its success is the establishment of fourteen Global Practices and five Cross-Cutting Solution Areas that, in concert with the WBG Regions, will design solutions that address clients’ most pressing developmental challenges, and ultimately, enable the WBG to meet its twin goals of eliminating extreme poverty and boosting shared prosperity
ABOUT THE WORLD BANK GROUP
Established in 1944, the WBG is one of the world’s largest sources of funding and knowledge for development solutions. In fiscal year 2013, the WBG committed $52.6 billion in loans, grants, equity investments and guarantees to its members and private businesses, of which $16.3 billion was concessional finance to its poorest members. It is governed by 188 member countries and delivers services out of 120 offices with nearly 15,000 staff located globally.
The WBG consists of five specialized institutions: the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), the International Development Association (IDA), the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA), and the International Centre for the Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID). The World Bank is organized into six client-facing Regional Vice-Presidencies, several corporate functions, and is introducing fourteen Global Practices as well as five Cross-Cutting Solution Areas to bring best-in-class knowledge and solutions to regional and country clients.
REGIONAL CONTEXT
The Africa Region is committed to helping Africa realize its considerable development potential, with a focus on employment generation. The core values guiding our work are passion for our mission of sustainable poverty reduction with keen attention to quality and transformative impact, putting the needs of the client at the center of all our activities, trust and respect as a common currency, intellectual rigor and curiosity, honesty and integrity, teamwork, openness to learning and the courage to admit we do not always have the answer.
Sub-Saharan Africa has a population of around 800 million people in 48 countries, and is a vibrant and changing environment for development work. The last two decades of democratic elections and, in some countries multiparty systems has created a greater openness to pro-poor reforms. A vibrant civil society has become increasingly vocal on policy issues, and African citizens are more and more holding politicians accountable for their actions (although there are variations across countries). Regional institutions, such as AU/NEPAD are applying peer pressure on national leaders to improve their performance.
While the overall business climate in Africa is the weakest in the world, several countries—including some fragile states—have made great strides in improving their environment for business. What is emerging as a result is a growing region, with setbacks from time to time, that is increasingly seen as a destination for investment as much as for aid; and one where leaders are increasingly willing to address problems of poor governance that harms development effectiveness.
The Africa Region seeks to seize this unprecedented opportunity to better support our clients in realizing the ambition of eradicating extreme poverty and boosting prosperity.
UNIT CONTEXT
The Resource Management Unit of the Africa Region (BPSAF) is responsible for business planning, budgeting, work programming, deliverables reporting, and financial reporting for all the departments in the Region. In addition, in country offices, BPSAF staff performs accounting, payment processing, cash management and administration functions. Overall, BPSAF ensures that each department maintains cost efficiency and effective controls over all financial transactions, and provides support for effective management and monitoring of deliverables.
Building on WFA’s recent Quality Assurance Review and the Scorecard report, this Resource Management Officer (RMO) position is located in Mali country office within the Country Department covering Guinea, Mali, Niger and Chad. The RMO is the focal point of coaching and mentoring of new RM staff who will handle accounting, resource management, controls and administration for the country office. The RMO works independently under the oversight of the Country Director and the overall supervision of the HQ-based Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) and Senior RM Officer. The RMO’s functions range from primary responsibility for accounting transactions and vendor payments, to performing compliance reviews and reporting to central control units, to setting/streamlining procedures in the office while ensuring appropriate controls are in place, and supporting and advising staff on a host of RM topics. The RMO also plays a key role in the administration and dissemination of RM policies of the Bank.
The RMO is expected to be innovative and deliver quality work, striking a balance between RM technical excellence and client focus. The incumbent must have strong teamwork within and outside the unit, and the ability to work independently on RM projects with other members of the broader RM team. Initiative and excellent communications skills, both written and verbal, and interpersonal skills are a must.
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 term appointment.
Duties and Accountabilities
The key accountabilities of the RMO are as follows:
Financial Management of Country Office Work Program and Resources
• Accountability: Under the supervision of the Country Director and the general direction of the CAO or Senior RM Officer, responsible for the effective financial management of country office expenses. Oversee the country office accounting function, including preparation of Monthly Submission Report, commercial bank account reconciliation, petty cash replenishment.
• Budget Planning & Monitoring: Work closely with the HQ RM Officer/Analyst in planning of expenses for day-to-day running of the country office, and report to the HQ Sr. RM Officer and Country Director on expenses throughout the FY.
• Cost Analysis and Effectiveness: In coordination with the HQ RMO/RMA, compile and analyze cost data at the country office level, measuring effectiveness and proposing solutions as needed. Undertake comparison of costs among different providers, seeking the best value for the Bank.
• Cash Balance: Ensure that unit has optimum cash balance in commercial bank. Prepare cash flow projections. Review accounting transactions, reconciliation reports, open-item reports, monthly accounting reports, scorecards, quality assurance reports
• Payments: Calculate, prepare and make payments for the country office against all expense categories, for IBRD and IFC.
Financial Control and Fiduciary Responsibilities
• Support internal controls framework of financial transactions and business operations to ensure financial integrity is maintained, including review of effectiveness of the internal control systems and monitoring, and providing advice for strengthening framework
• Work with Country Director to ensure a strong control environment in the office
• Provide guidance, advice, interpretation and recommendations to Country Director and staff on RM policies and procedures
• Ensure that audit and quality assurance review recommendations are implemented
• Coordinate year-end letter of representation exercise for the country office
• Coordinate preparation of Accounting Scorecard responses, and implement recommendations
• Maintain consistency in the application of accounting rules and procedures, including safeguarding of cash and checks
Team Lead Role:
• Coaches and mentor new recruits in overall RM tasks and institutional policies and procedures
• Guides and supervises other RM and Administration staff on agreed processes, and coordinates the integration and consolidation of country office inputs during planning and allocation exercises
• Exercises significant team leadership, encourages and promotes team spirit within the RM team and coaches junior RM staff
General Administration
• Ensure smooth operation of office facilities on a daily basis, seeking opportunities for improvement where appropriate
• Ensure that Bank’s assets and inventories are appropriately recorded and safeguarded
• Oversee the local administrative procurement of supplies, goods and services
• Help in development of administrative policies and practices in consultation with other units for the efficient and effective operation of the country office
• Liaise with local commercial house bank and central bank.
Analysis, Monitoring, Reporting and Communicating
• Proactively establish and maintain interface with the client, providing high caliber support
• Organize and monitor work of RM Assistant (COA) and Transaction Specialist
• Review accounting transactions, reconciliation reports, open items reports, monthly accounting reports
• Monitor and review country office budget and expenses, identifying/resolving issues and discussing them with the HQ RMO/RMA and country office management
• Maintain financial records and monitoring systems to record and reconcile expenditures, balances, payments and other day-to-day transactions
• Ensure effective back-up arrangement and timely submission of tasks/outputs
• Provide support to managers and staff in accessing management reports available in SAP and other information systems
• Analyze costs, including forecast of year-end budget status.
• Ensure compliance with specific institutional and regional guidelines.
Other Duties and Responsibilities:
• Responsible for HR Benefits for local and international staff.
• Maintain the PeopleSoft/local interface with particular focus on financial assistance and IRS staff housing modules.
• Communicate staff rules and procedures to all staff on a regular basis.
• Maintain interaction with suppliers to enhance purchasing conditions.
• Handle all administrative procurement actions, including liaising with GSD as needed, for example vehicle purchases.
• Collaborate with GSD/IT and Security Specialist for facility management in handling office building including remodeling of the offices, procurement of furniture and equipment, establishing and maintaining office services, facilities, utilities, etc.
• Liaise with HR Business Partner.
Competencies & Selection Criteria
Competencies
• Client Orientation – Takes personal responsibility and accountability for timely response to client queries, requests or needs, working to remove obstacles that may impede execution or overall success.
• Drive for Results – Takes personal ownership and accountability to meet deadlines and achieve agreed-upon results, and has the personal organization to do so.
• Teamwork (Collaboration) and Inclusion – Collaborates with other team members and contributes productively to the team’s work and output, demonstrating respect for different points of view.
• Knowledge, Learning and Communication – Actively seeks knowledge needed to complete assignments and shares knowledge with others, communicating and presenting information in a clear and organized manner.
• Business Judgment and Analytical Decision Making – Analyzes facts and data to support sound, logical decisions regarding own and others’ work.
Minimum Education/Experience:
• Minimum Education: A relevant Advanced Degree, preferably MA/MBA (e.g., Finance, Accounting, Business, Economics, etc.) OR relevant Bachelor’s Degree plus an internationally recognized professional accounting qualification (e.g., CPA, CA, ACCA) OR completion of the RM Board-sponsored Supplementary Education Criteria Program (SEC).
• Minimum Years of Relevant Experience: 8 years of experience either in Administration, Finance or Operations at the World Bank, or in an international private or public sector setting.
• Demonstrated expertise in management and/or financial accounting disciplines.
• Demonstrated competency in people management.
Selection Criteria:
• Integrity and Independence – Prepares accurate reports, ensuring that pertinent facts are fairly presented; shares information freely.
• Statutory and other Stakeholder Reporting – Can produce pro-forma financial statements and reports; familiar with disclosure requirements and accompanying notes, and management and auditor’s reports.
• Internal controls and corporate procedures – Can analyze data and business processes to determine the viability of controls and procedures, and identify any issues or areas of risk.
• Governance – Able to interpret the fundamental resource management requirements of a client’s governing structures and to provide basic budget analysis.
• Planning and Budgeting – Can produce standard reports and budgets, and analyze budget information; understands the entity’s funding structure and sources.
• Performance Evaluation and Reporting – Able to determine the information needs of users and present information that supports management decision making.
• Management Information and Tools Design – Able to analyze management information needs, accurately define requirements and ensure the quality of information produced.
• Financial Strategy – Understands what impacts the strength and integrity of the entity’s income statement and balance sheet, and the Bank’s lending products and basic pricing structures.
• Tasks and Workflow Management – Has excellent workflow management and task organization skills; able to take responsibility for all aspects of coordination of the workflow of assigned responsibilities.
• Transactions Processing and Quality Control.
For the full job description, competencies and selection criteria for this vacancy, qualified candidates are requested to visit and submit an electronic application at the World Bank careers site: www.worldbank.org/careers. Once at the site, Click on > work with us > Jobs > Search> job number 172123.
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. All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.
Closing date is 04-Dec-2017. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.