Finance Officer, Loans and Grants, IFAD Regional Office, Nairobi

Finance Officer, Loans and Grants, IFAD Regional Office in Nairobi, Kenya (1 position)

Vacancy announcement number: 1230

Date of issue: 11/19/2013

Deadline for applications: 12/13/2013

Organizational unit: Controller's & Fin. Serv. Div.

Level: P-3

Duty Station: NAIROBI

Duty Station: IFAD Regional Office in Nairobi (IRON), Kenya.

Duration of Assignment: 2 years (with possiblity of renewal)

1. Organisational Context

The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) is an international financial institution and a specialized United Nations agency dedicated to eradicating poverty and hunger in rural areas in developing countries. It does so by financing projects and programmes that increase agricultural productivity and raise rural incomes, and by advocating at the local, national and international level for policies that enable poor rural people to overcome poverty.

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 support decision making, and developing innovative solutions to assist the Fund in achieving its strategic goals. The IFAD Regional Office in Nairobi (IRON), Kenya is responsible for all IFAD-financed projects in East and Southern Africa (ESA) countries. Loan administration and financial management tasks at this office extend to projects in East and Southern Africa (ESA) countries and the majority of those in West and Central Africa (WCA). Based on the availability of underlying resources, capacities and geographical consideration, the portfolio may be expanded in the future to incorporate other countries.

2. Purpose of position

The main responsibilities of the incumbent will be the design of financial management arrangements for an assigned portfolio of projects in an assigned region. This will include supervision of financial management during project implementation and the timely and efficient delivery of loan and grant administration services for the assigned portfolio of countries, in line with the Regional work plan. S/he will provide financial management support and guidance to IFAD's loans and grants portfolio activities, ensuring compliance with specific IFAD standards, policies and guidelines, 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 risk analysis and assessment covering loan administration, auditing, accounting and reporting, fund flows and internal controls.

A key part of this responsibility is to assess inherent risks in country financial management systems based on diagnostic reports.

The Finance Officer (FO) will be supervised directly by the CFS Regional Finance Officer, Loans and Grants, based in Nairobi, Kenya; and work under the overall supervision of the Manager, Loans and Grants at HQ Rome.

3. Duties and Responsiblities

1. Undertake assessment of country financial management systems so as to facilitate utilization of public financial management (PFM) systems where appropriate, to determine inherent risks to IFAD projects. For this purpose complete review and analysis of available internal and external diagnostic reports available and supplement with additional studies if warranted and feasible.
2. Complete financial management (FM) assessments of project financial management capacities and attendant fiduciary risks for assigned countries, consistent with internal policies and institutional guidelines, and document results of these assessments. Recommend appropriate risk mitigating measures in project design to provide assurance and accountability that funds have been used for intended purposes, and develop appropriate fund flow and disbursement arrangements.
3. Ensure that project design and legal documentation adhere to IFAD financial and fiduciary standards. Lead the discussions on fiduciary matters internally with PMD and with Borrowersparticularly during negotiations. Prepare appropriate documentation (e.g. FM Assessment reports and Letter to Borrower). Clear negotiation packages with respect to FM and disbursement.
4. Closely monitor financial management performance actively throughout the project/loan implementation (including participation in portfolio review meetings and participation in supervision missions). Based on supervision findings, monitor follow up actions with Borrowers and revise FM arrangements and risk ratings as appropriate.
5. Ensure compliance with IFAD policies and procedures with respect to project audits, including the timely receipt and review of project audit reports and follow up thereof, rating of the audit reports, and recording thereof in the Audit Report Tracking System. Prepare Legal Notices and Suspension Notices for Borrowers due to delay of audit report submissions in line with IFAD's operational procedures.
6. In collaboration with Debt Service Unit, review and follow up on loan servicing progress and help prevent (where possible) and resolve arrears issues.
7. Promote knowledge sharing and build and maintain effective collaboration with FOD colleagues, Country Programme Managers, cooperating institutions, project staff and recipients. Facilitate capacity building activities and initiatives for Borrowers, project staff, IFAD staff and consultants, as appropriate.
8. Contribute to the development of improved systems, policies, procedures, instruments or practices in relation to financial management of the IFAD loan and grant portfolio and to the associated implementation, training and awareness activities as required.
9. Perform validation checks on Withdrawal Applications (WAs) processed by Finance Assistants based on departmental guidelines on risk-based disbursement, quality assurance arrangements and delegated payment approval authorities. Monitor compliance with FM covenants in legal agreements. Initiate the application of institutional remedies when for defaults in consultation with management and legal colleagues.
10. Undertake ad-hoc tasks and cross-cutting initiatives as assigned by the Team Leaders, Manager, Loans and Grants or Director of the Division.

4. Qualifications and Skills Required

Education and experience

• Bachelor's degree in finance, business studies or accounting is required.
• A post-graduate degree in finance; or certification as a Certified Public Accountant or Chartered Accountant would be an asset.
• At least 5 years' post-qualification professional experience, including work in financial management and accountability for funds with bi/multi-lateral international aid organisations, rural development/financial institutions and/or government service is required.
• Work experience in African countries would be an advantage.

Technical/functional competencies:

• Strong interpersonal/negotiation skills and ability to deal with a wide variety of clients and stakeholders at all levels.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with people in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity
• Analytical skills, possessing analytical aptitude in various dimensions of financial management (e.g. accounting, reporting, internal controls, flow of funds and audit) and an appreciation of governance and socio-economic issues in the area of rural development.
• Ability to work in a team and interact effectively with in-house and external partners; maintaining and developing professional networks.
• Accuracy, numeracy, attention to detail and thoroughness.

Languages and other skills:

Full command of English language. Knowledge of another IFAD official language (French and/or Arabic) would be an advantage.

Strong communication skills, including the ability to speak persuasively and explain portfolio and procedural guidelines effectively, in writing and orally, including situations requiring negotiation with Borrower representatives.

5. Other Information

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.