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Regional Financial Management Officer P-3 to P-4 - Controller's and Financial Services Division

2-year fixed term
(possibility of renewal is subject to availability of funds)

The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) is an International Financial Institution and a Specialized United Nations Agency whose mission is to enable poor rural people to overcome poverty. IFAD¿s headquarters is in Rome, Italy, and its staff work with poor rural people; and their governments, communities and organisations in more than 90 countries to develop and finance programmes and projects aimed at increasing agricultural productivity and incomes.

BACKGROUND TO THE JOB

The Controller¿s and Financial Services Division (CFS) is located in the Financial Operations Department. CFS supports the mission of IFAD by providing sound financial management practices, effective financial accounting, payments and reporting that supports decision making, and developing innovative solutions to assist the Fund in achieving its strategic goals. IFAD is currently rationalising its project financial management operations and structures aimed at strengthening the Fund¿s effectiveness and efficiency. Accountability and responsibility for financial management, including loan administration and audit tasks, are either currently placed in or will be largely transferred to CFS from other divisions with effect from 2012. In line with this rationalisation, the position of a Regional Financial Management Officer has been created in the Fund¿s Eastern and Southern Africa (ESA) Regional Office (Nairobi, Kenya), to head the financial management unit located in that office.
The RFMO will work under the administrative supervision of the Portfolio Adviser, ESA Regional Office. On substantive matters related to financial management, s/he will be supervised by the CFS Regional Unit Head, Loans and Grants, based in HQ Rome.

The main responsibilities of the incumbent will be to lead and supervise the staff assigned to financial management functions in the regional office. S/he will provide financial management support and guidance in IFAD¿s loans and grants portfolio activities, ensuring compliance with specific standards and fiduciary integrity whilst allowing flexibility within generic financial management principles to enhance operational effectiveness and efficiency. The scope of the role includes coordination with internal and external stakeholders for financial management activities, including analysis and assessment covering loan administration, auditing, accounting and reporting, fund flows and trend analysis. Specifically, the incumbent will:

¿ Lead the regional finance team based in the Nairobi office, which has responsibility for all IFAD financed projects in ESA countries; the portfolio may be expanded in the future based on underlying resources and capacities and geographical considerations.

¿ Maintain and monitor, in compliance with IFAD Rules and Regulations, the standards and fiduciary integrity of the IFAD-financed project portfolio, supporting CFS and the regional division(s) in the establishment of internal financial quality enhancement mechanisms. Ensure that project design and legal documentation adhere to IFAD financial and fiduciary standards and assist in resolving related issues during negotiations and start-up.

¿ Provide advice on project financial management design and implementation including assessment of country financial management, fund flows and audit systems. Act as a critical partner to support implementation throughout the project/loan cycle by close monitoring of performance, highlighting and helping resolve critical financial or fiduciary issues. Review supervision reports related to financial management, joining missions when required. Manage timely closure of loans and grants accounts in compliance with IFAD procedures.

¿ Ensure efficient and timely disbursement of loan/grants funds through processing and quality review of withdrawal applications in the Loans and Grants and other corporate Systems. Prepare special commitment letters and oversee the updating of contract registers and payment summaries. Maintain special account recovery controls including approval of recovery rate and monitoring and control of recovery.

¿ Act as loan officer for a specified project portfolio, including design, negotiation and implementation activities.

¿ Provide quality input to quarterly project-at-risk reviews of the regional portfolio; analyse status of delivery compared with key indicators, supporting the establishment and monitoring of internal financial quality enhancement mechanisms.

¿ Monitor loan servicing progress and help prevent (where possible) and resolve arrears issues.

¿ Review audit reports and provide advice on accounting and audit requirements and standards, following up on issues proactively and regularly.

¿ Build and sustain effective collaboration with CFS colleagues, Country Programme Managers (CPMs), cooperating institutions, project staff and recipients on all related portfolio financial management matters, to improve the technical quality of active projects and programmes.

¿ Other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

At the P4 LEVEL, and in addition to the above duties, the incumbent shall:

¿ Develop and lead financial training of staff at regional and HQ level; including, if required, financial training to government entities or client organizations, thereby seeking to ensure a standard appreciation, understanding and implementation of IFAD financial framework and fiduciary requirements.

¿ Act as a mentor to staff, distributing and modifying workloads, coordinating work plans, and evaluating financial performance of staff, with the goal of maintaining the highest standards of financial management and oversight and ensuring that organizational best practices are appropriately incorporated in loans and grants management activities.

¿ First University degree in Business Administration, Finance, and Accounting or related discipline (at P-3 level); Advanced University degree in the above mentioned disciplines.(at P-4 level)
¿ A first University degree combined with extensive experience in a similar responsible position may be considered in lieu of the Advanced University Degree.
¿ Certification as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or equivalent highly desirable.
¿ At least 5 years¿ (at P3 level) and 8 years¿ (at P4 level) post-qualification professional experience; including work with bi/multi-lateral international organizations, rural development/financial institutions and/or government services, with independence and decision making authority in design, implementation, supervision and loan administration of rural development programmes. Appointment at P4 level will also require at least 3 years of this experience at managerial level in such institutions.
¿ Experience in the development loan administration field would be an advantage.
¿ Work experience in the ESA region would be an advantage.

Results-oriented Performer: able to accomplish work objectives with high standards of personal performance, and manage performance of others.
Analytical skills: possess analytical aptitude and an appreciation of socio-economic issues in the area of rural development.
Commitment to problem solving: able to demonstrate commitment to solving the problems of the rural poor.
Self-developer/Innovator: willing to learn, acquire and share new competencies; and seek new challenges by exploring new approaches to work.
Team Worker/Builder: possess the capacity to foster and coordinate teamwork; and establish harmonious working relationships in a multi-cultural setting. Strong interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with people in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity
Negotiator and communicator: able to work effectively with others to meet mutual goals, negotiates to align parties, builds networks, listens and communicates effectively to engage others.

¿ Excellent written and verbal communication including the ability to set out a coherent argument in presentations and group interactions in English, as well as working knowledge in French.
¿ Excellent working knowledge of Microsoft packages and electronic communication.

Applicants should note that IFAD staff members are international civil servants subject to the authority of the President of IFAD, and they may be assigned by him/her to any of the activities of IFAD, including field assignments and/or rotation within IFAD.

IFAD reserves the right to appoint a candidate at the appropriate grade commensurate with experience and knowledge.

Interested candidates are requested to apply by completing IFAD¿s Personal History Form (PHF) in English. A separate CV may be attached if you so desire, only as a supplement and NOT a substitute to the PHF. The application should be made through the online system only. PLEASE READ CAREFULLY the instructions in ¿How to Apply¿ before you start.

In the interest of making most cost effective use of funds and resources, we are only able to respond to applicants who are short-listed for interview. Candidates who do not receive any feedback within three months should consider their application unsuccessful.

Candidates may be required to take a written test and to deliver a presentation as well as participate in interviews.

Regional Financial Management Officer P-3 to P-4 - Controller's and Financial Services Division