The WBG Finance & Accounting (WFA) Vice Presidential Unit is responsible for all aspects of the financial reporting and internal control framework for the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), the International Development Association (IDA), the International Finance Corporation (IFC), and the extensive Trust Fund/Partnership portfolio of these entities. WFA also leads the client shared service function for the WBG corporate expenses and WBG trust funds, and ensures fiduciary responsibility for all disbursements related to Bank operations.
WBG Trust Fund and Loan Operations Department (WFATL) in World Bank Group Finance and Accounting (WFA) provides a number of financial operation activities, notably financial services, compliance, disbursements, accounting, and analytics for IBRD/IDA loans and Trust Funds.
The WFA for Trust Funds and Loans Operations (WFATL) manages loan and trust fund operations and was recently reorganized to better serve client needs, accommodate for new Bank priorities, and achieve further efficiencies and consistency in service delivery.
WFATL consists of three divisions, each overseen by one manager. The first division is devoted to providing “front-end” client services and related operations to business and external clients and is organized along business lines serving the regions and global practices. The Services within the area of WFATL responsibilities fall under three categories: regional coordination, country focal point assistance, and project-level fiduciary and portfolio management. The second division is focused on supporting the transactional activities associated with the implementation and closure of loans or trust funds, including account maintenance, disbursement transactions, help desk and trust funds and loans accounting and reporting. The third division is dedicated to drive business process excellence and to utilize technology for innovation in our client service delivery. These three divisions work closely and collaboratively with one another.
WFATL is seeking a proactive, highly motivated Finance Officer (FO) to be an integral and active member of its client service team to be based in Zagreb, Croatia.
Duties and Accountabilities:
The Finance Officer’s primary responsibilities will include, but are not limited to the following activities:
Serve as focal point for internal and external client inquiries at the country level and escalate them as needed.
Provide country-related input to the Team Lead (TL) and the Manager to drive conversations with Country Management Units (CMUs) about country coordination within the assigned region.
Interact with Team Task Leaders (TTLs) to follow up on financing and disbursement-related issues arising in project preparation; contact CMU and borrowers to advise on new financial products, loan instruments that could benefit project preparation and facilitate resolution of portfolio disbursement bottlenecks; facilitate conversation between CMU and Ministry of Finance (MoF) on debt service options (whenever new product or service emerges).
Participate in regular meetings for TLs/ Finance Officers (FOs)/ Finance Analysts (FNs)/Manager to share insights across countries, and promote knowledge-sharing.
Participate in country team meetings to provide advice on initiatives impacting disbursement-related issues at the portfolio level
Project Preparation:
For pipeline projects in assigned portfolio countries, provide support to task teams by reviewing project documents (Concept Notes, Appraisal Documents, Financing Agreements, etc.) and other sources of information, providing timely inputs and raising issues, which may have an impact on disbursement arrangements, or are unclear, and escalate to management any issues that require management action or support.
Advise the task team on disbursement-related aspects of loans/credits/grants/TFs to ensure they are consistent with Bank policies and procedures and will adequately support project implementation with due regard for economy and efficiency.
Prepare disbursement and financial information letters (DFIL), loan repayment terms and amortization schedules, and participate in project preparation meetings including technical discussions and negotiations.
Review and clear project/program documents including, negotiation and board packages, in accordance with WFA standard procedures and applicable Bank policies.
Setting up of the loan financing terms and loan data in the system (iLAP).
Carry out the disbursement risk assessment of projects.
Carry out the responsibilities in compliance with WFA's control framework.
Design and deliver capacity-building training (e.g. Disbursement Trainings), in coordination with FNs and the TLs.
Deliver project preparation training and job shadowing initiatives for Finance Analysts (FN) to further develop FN’s ability to serve clients.
Conduct quality assurance on the work done by FNs and provide input into the performance appraisal of the FNs.
Project Implementation:
Manage highly complex Level 1 restructurings.
Advise and resolve complex implementation issues, including those that require coordination with other units such as INT, CMU, GP, FM or Procurement.
Provide advice on financial terms of products or disbursement related issues at country level, for example lapsed loans impacting advances.
Update the disbursement risk ratings in iLAP for all projects under her/his portfolio, as needed.
Relationships:
Participate in monthly meetings for FOs/FNs/Managers/TLs to generate and share insights across countries.
Serve as a solution provider for advice to internal clients and external on preparation and implementation issues in the assigned countries.
Partner with Legal, Financial Management and Procurement to provide cohesive approach to engaging with TTLs.
Appropriately handle other tasks that may be assigned by WFATL’s management.
Coordinate/lead special project/initiative assigned by the management, including Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) collaboration.
Selection Criteria:
The candidate should meet the following criteria:
Minimum Education: Fully qualified as CPA, ACCA, CA, CFA or equivalent; or a Master's degree in Accounting, Finance or Business.
Work Experience:
At least 5 years of relevant experience in portfolio management, project operations accounting, auditing and/or contract management.
Language Skills: Ability to communicate effectively, in writing and orally, in English.
Relevant knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), internal controls procedures and financial management.
Knowledge and application of the Bank operational policies, including understanding the interaction between the Bank’s Operational Policies, Bank Procedures, and individual trust fund programs as they relate to disbursements.
Ability to exercise professional judgment and appropriately interpret and apply operational policies, as they relate to disbursements.
Knowledge of the Bank's IBRD and IDA lending products and choices of repayment terms.
Strong quantitative skills with superior attention to detail and numerical accuracy.
Strong analytical and conceptual skills with demonstrated ability to interpret data, assess issues, develop sound conclusions, and formulate remedial measures.
Ability to manage complex tasks, deal with rapidly shifting priorities, provide professional support to senior staff and deliver against ambitious deadlines.
Capacity to work simultaneously, effectively and efficiently on a variety of diverse issues and tasks, independently adjusting priorities and achieving results with agreed objectives and deadlines.
Ability to operate effectively in a matrix management environment.
Strong client focus including good interpersonal, diplomatic and team building skills required for building and maintaining collaborative relationships.
