UN National Finance Officer Job in Kenya

National Finance Officer

Vacancy Announcement No: OMN/003/2014

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is looking for qualified candidates to fill the following position in support of the Regional Bureau for East & Central Africa (OMN), based in Nairobi, Kenya.

The Regional Bureau provides strategic guidance, policy/technical support and  direction to WFP operations and activities in nine countries: Burundi, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan and Uganda.

NOA (Fixed Term) reporting to the Senior Regional Finance Officer.

Grade : Fixed Term (NOA)

Duty Station : WFP’s Regional Bureau for East & Central Africa (OMN), based in Nairobi

Salary : As per UN Salary Scale

This vacancy announcement is open to both male and female candidates. Qualified female candidates are particularly encouraged to apply.

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is looking for a qualified candidate to fill the post of National Finance Officer in support of the Regional Bureau for East & Central Africa (OMN), based in Nairobi, Kenya.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Under the direct supervision of the Senior Regional Finance Officer, the National Finance Officer will be responsible for the following tasks:
  • Assist supervisor in the provision of management oversight in the Country Offices (COs) under the Regional Bureau (RB), ensuring compliance with established financial policies and procedures as well as transparent and efficient utilization of WFP’s financial resources.
  • Assist supervisor in evaluating adequacy and effectiveness of internal controls in place in the RB and COs and provide advice on enhancement of these systems as appropriate.
  • Provide support and guidance to OMN COs’ finance staff.
  • Conduct analytical review of OMN RB’s and COs’ Monthly Financial Reporting package and Monthly Financial Dashboard results, communicating results of such review to concerned RB and CO staff.
  • Follow up and monitor implementation of outstanding external and internal audit/oversight recommendations including those resulting from RB financial oversight missions.
  • Assist in conducting periodic risk assessments of OMN COs as basis of management oversight prioritization.
  • Provide support in budget preparation and analysis.
  • Supervise the payroll process in finance unit for RB national staff.
  • Interpret and guide staff in finance unit and other units in the Regional Bureau on the implementation of new finance procedures and guidelines.
  • Advice RB spending units’ staff on IPSAS principles and how they affect revenue and expense recognition, invoicing and payment processes.
  • Provide technical support to finance staff on the Corporate Information System WINGS
  • Verify correctness of all vendor details before forwarding the same to the Regional Director for approval and onward transmission to the Vendor Creation Team in India.
  • Ensure that all WFP assets are accounted for and properly recorded in the corporate database.
  • Participate in various official Committee meetings.
  • Certify RB transaction, including posting of financial transactions in WFP accounting systems as per delegated authority.
  • Verify accuracy of financial transactions before and after their finalization to ensure that they are accurate and up to date.
  • Coordinate the disbursement process in finance unit including following up with other units to ensure invoices received in WFP are paid promptly and any issues are resolved as timely as possible.
  • Provide training and guidance to supervised staff.
  • Perform other related duties as required.

Expected Results:
  • Provision of efficient and effective support to OMN COs in the exercise of its management oversight responsibility by applying specialized expertise in the area of financial management and compliance, including timely implementation of audit/oversight recommendations;
  • management and supervision of staff;
  • preparation and monitoring of budgets;
  • accurate and complete accounting, budgetary and financial information carried out in a timely manner;
  • adherence to applicable WFP guidelines, policies and procedures are ensured

Critical Success Factors:
  • Resourcefulness, pro-activeness, thoroughness, initiative, maturity of judgment, tact;
  • effective working relations in support of work conducted by other officers;
  • ability to prioritize work and handle multiple tasks at the same time;
  • ability to deal patiently and tactfully with people of different national and cultural background.

Qualifications and Experience

Education: University Degree in Finance, Business Administration, Accounting or related field; plus membership in an internationally recognised professional accountancy body eg ACCA, CPA or equivalent. Advanced University Degree will be an added advantage.

Experience: At least one year of post-graduate professional experience in finance.

Knowledge: Training and/or experience utilizing computers, including word processing, spreadsheets and other standard WFP software packages and systems. General knowledge of UN system policies, rules regulation and procedures governing administration. Knowledge of SAP systems is an advantage.

Language: Fluency in both oral and written communication in English essential.

Other desirable skills: Relevant experience in UN or NGO financial management environments; proficiency in second official WFP language, preferably French

This vacancy announcement is open to both male and female Kenyan Nationals. Qualified female candidates are particularly encouraged to apply.

Interested and qualified candidates are requested to submit online applications ONLY, according to the following procedures:


Step 1: Create your online CV
Step 2: Click on “Description” to read the position requirements and “Apply” to submit your application.

NOTE: You must complete Step 2 in order for your application to be considered for this vacancy.

NB: WFP does not charge fees from applicants at any stage during the recruitment process.

If you have any queries relating to this VA please send them to: wfp.omnhr@wfp.org

Closing date: 08 April 2014.

Applications must be received by the deadline. Late applications will not be considered. Only short-listed candidates meeting all essential qualifications will be contacted.


NB: WFP does not charge fees from applicants at any stage during the recruitment process.