Finance Assistants The World Bank

The World Bank’s Loan Department (CTRLD) is seeking to hire Finance Analysts (FNs) (5 positions) and Finance Assistants (FAs) (2 positions). 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 several other Bank units. 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 Centre in Nairobi, Kenya. The Nairobi Regional Centre (Centre) will follow the staffing model of other teams in the other regional centres (Brasilia, Beijing, Zagreb, Chennai and Manila), a solid team of

Finance Assistants (2 Positions)
(Local 3-year term appointment)
Nairobi, Kenya
(Ref. 120707)

The Finance Assistants (FAs) will be responsible for the determination of the completeness of borrowers’ requests in accordance with the Bank’s policies and procedures, verification of documentation and processing of disbursements or other loan transactions. In addition, they provide support to negotiations, mission preparation, and disbursement seminars. FAs work under the technical supervision of Finance Analysts and report to the Team Leader. The FA at level GD works on withdrawal application processing and related tasks with minimal supervision. The Finance Assistant might be requested to contribute to Departmental initiatives, or to participate in Financial Management network activities and contribute to corporate initiatives.

The responsibilities will include:
Disbursement Transaction Processing:

• Processing all types of withdrawal and special commitment requests, including complex transactions
• Ensuring completeness of supporting documentation and entering Detail of Expenditures (DOE) in the Loan Administration System (iLAP)
• Following up with Task Team Leaders and Procurement Staff as needed
• Drafting correspondence to the borrowers or operational staff
• Reviewing the pending refunds and other adjustment transactions
• Initiating processing in coordination with the Client Services Loans team (CTRNF) or Treasury (TRE) where appropriate
• Processing special commitment amendments and preparing amendment letters.

Portfolio Management:

• Assisting in closing of projects and finalising the files for transfer to the Loan Department Record Centre
• Answer questions from Task Team Leaders, borrowers, commercial banks, and suppliers on payments, balances, and application status.

Departmental/Divisional Tasks:

• Participating in departmental/divisional task forces
• Identifying issues relating to CTR policies, procedures and guidelines and recommend actions or enhancements
• Participating in new systems development and user testing
• Undertaking ad hoc assignments at the discretion of the Team Leader and/or Manager.

Selection criteria:

• Professional certification (CPA, ACCA, CA, or equivalent), with Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance or Business and a minimum of 3 years’ relevant experience in portfolio management, project implementation, accounting and/or contract management
• Language skills: Ability to communicate effectively, in writing and verbally, in English (essential) and one of the two or both French (essential) and Portuguese (essential). Fluency in all three languages will be a plus
• Knowledge of internal controls and procedures
• Knowledge of the Bank operational policies, including understanding of Bank policies and practices related to disbursement and contract management, would be an advantage
• Ability to appropriately apply operational policies, as they relate to disbursements
• Experience delivering training in the required languages (English, French, and Portuguese)
• Ability to prepare learning materials and presentations
• Attention to detail and numerical accuracy
• Understanding of information systems and the application of new technology.

Apply, quoting the relevant vacancy reference number, by the end of day on 10 April 2012.

For the full job descriptions and full selection criteria for all the positions, qualified candidates are requested to visit and submit an electronic application through the World Bank careers website: www.worldbank.org/careers and click on Employment opportunities then > Professional/technical staff opportunities – then > Current vacancies > and then on the relevant vacancy reference number. E-mail or paper/postal applications will not be considered. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

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.