Senior Finance Officer

Description

• The World Bank Group is a unique global partnership of five institutions driven by a bold vision to create a world free of poverty on a livable planet. As one of the largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing countries, we help solve the world’s greatest development challenges. When you join the World Bank Group, you become part of a dynamic, diverse organization with 189 member countries and more than 120 offices worldwide. We work with public and private sector partners, invest in groundbreaking projects, and use data, research, and technology to bring tangible and transformative change around the globe. For more information, visit www.worldbank.org.

VPU Context

• The Budget and Procurement Vice Presidency (WBP) is organized into five departments under a Vice President: (1) WBPCU- WBG, Budget Partners, Corporate and Knowledge Units: Providing strategic and operational leadership in finance planning and budget oversight to WBG executive, compliance, corporate, finance, and knowledge VPUs; (2) WBPRU- IBRD/IDA Budget Partners, Regional Units: Providing strategic and operational leadership in finance planning and budget oversight to regional VPUs and Country Office Accounting management and oversight, globally; (3) WBPCE- WBG Center of Excellence: Leading planning, reporting, shared services, and budget solutions; (4) WBPCP- WBG Corporate Procurement: Overseeing sourcing, supplier management, and operational support; and (5) CBADR- IFC & MIGA Budget Partners: Providing strategic and operational leadership in finance planning and budget oversight to IFC and MIGA clients, globally.
• WBP’ service delivery model has three core roles: (1) Business Partners (serving clients directly with focus on decision support and performance oversight); (2) Centers of Expertise (providing thought-leadership and analytics, designing business finance policies, practices and systems, and coordinating knowledge management); and (3) Service Center (managing delivery of high volume and transactional and reporting services across Bank, including help desk support to clients).

Unit Context

• WBP is seeking to recruit four Senior Finance Officers (SFOs) to help drive, support, and implement the BPS Service Delivery model. As with all WBP staff, Senior Finance Officers are expected to be fungible and able to work across different assignments over time depending on business needs and professional development objectives. Specific work assignments are articulated in annual objectives prior to the start of each fiscal year. Note: additional SFO vacancies may be included should the business need arise in the short term.

Duties and accountabilities

• The Senior Finance Officer leads the budgetary planning and analysis activities, ensuring the organization's financial plans are robust, accurate, and aligned with strategic objectives. They oversee the development of budget models — including across the Annual Business Planning (ABP) process, variable allocations, and Portfolio and Pipeline Management (PPM) — conduct variance analysis, and provide senior management with timely, data-driven insights and recommendations for financial planning and resource allocation. This includes producing monthly budget reporting packages for the Vice President and Director of Strategy and Operations (DSO). Additionally, this role involves mentoring finance staff, enhancing budgetary processes through implementing best practices, and ensuring compliance with financial regulations and internal policies, including supporting system and process changes such as ERP replacement initiatives and the implementation of new planning tools (e.g., Jedox/IPS).
• Senior Finance Officers often serve as formal supervisors of WBP staff, responsible for setting objectives, overseeing work distribution, managing performance, and providing interim management coverage as needed. They are expected to work directly alongside senior management, representing BPS, influence decisions about how financial resources are managed, and ensure that corporate budgeting policies are applied successfully.
• Note: This internal requisition is open to WB and IMF staff only (including short-term and extended term consultants/ temporaries). External candidates are requested not to apply. In case an external candidate applies, their application will not be considered.

Selection Criteria

• Master's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, Economics, or a related field; OR a non-finance Master's degree combined with a professional accounting qualification (CPA, CA, ACCA, CIMA, or equivalent).
• Minimum of 8 years of relevant professional experience in financial management, budget planning, or related functions, with experience spanning at least two different organizational units (e.g., country office, non-BPS unit, or external organization).
• Ability to write well and present complex data and analyses in a concise and clear manner, including reports, briefings, talking points, and frequently asked questions; with ability to present financial information effectively to senior management and non-finance audiences.
• Strong client relationship management experience and skills, with ability to work collaboratively and influence across organizational boundaries.
• Strong collaboration skills with other functions; an excellent team player with good project management skills.
• Experience in leading teams to deliver high performance under tight deadlines and often under a multi-tasking environment; experience in mentoring finance staff