Do you want to build a career that is truly worthwhile? Working at the World Bank Group provides a unique opportunity for you to help our clients solve their greatest development challenges. The World Bank Group is one of the largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing countries; a unique global partnership of five institutions dedicated to ending extreme poverty, increasing shared prosperity and promoting sustainable development. With 189 member countries and more than 120 offices worldwide, we work with public and private sector partners, investing in groundbreaking projects and using data, research, and technology to develop solutions to the most urgent global challenges.
Treasury is the Vice Presidency, reporting to the Managing Director and World Bank Group Chief Financial Officer, performing treasury functions for the IBRD and IDA and, to varying degrees, for other members of the World Bank Group and other public sector investors. Its activities are organized and grouped into the following departments: Capital Markets & Investment Management, Client Asset Management and Advisory, and Treasury Operations.
Treasury (TRE) has been a large and significant player in the international financial markets for over seventy years and has achieved a global reputation as a prudent and innovative borrower, investor and risk manager. Treasury is responsible for: (i) managing approximately $195 billion in assets for the World Bank and other official sector investors; (ii) leading IBRD’s and IDA’s triple-A rated financing programs in international and domestic bond and derivative markets; (iii) conducting asset and liability management for IBRD’s and IDA’s balance sheets; (iv) overseeing the development and outreach related to the financing and hedging products the Bank provides for its developing-country clients; and (v) collaborating with the World Bank member countries to help build their capacity. Staff in Treasury regularly interact and collaborate with other Departments across the Bank and Finance Partners teams.
The Treasury Operations Department (TREOP) provides a full range of operational support for Treasury’s asset management, capital markets and banking businesses. The Department is presently organized in three operational units: Asset and Liability Operations (TREAL), Quantitative Solutions and Analytics (TREQA) and Cash and Banking Operations (TREBK), and a Financial Technology coordination unit (TREFT).
Duties and Accountabilities:
The TRE Operations Chennai (TRECH) is an integral part of TRE and is responsible for a variety of duties providing vital support across its operational divisions. It works closely with the Headquarters in Washington D.C and another shared services center in Sofia, Bulgaria. Under the guidance and supervision of a Team Lead and/or Functional Lead, the Senior Financial Assistant will have responsibilities for specific individual tasks/projects as well as for working as an integral part of the team in executing TREOP’s work program, while maintaining close relationships with the other Treasury departments.
His/her primary responsibilities will include, but are not limited to, some combination of the following activities to support any of the business lines in TREOP’s operational division:
Cash Investigations:
Timely and efficient processing and resolution of cash investigations cases that arise out of reconciliation breaks, or emails and SWIFT messages from clients, counterparties, business units and correspondent banks.
Liaise with various teams across the Bank and with external banking partners to address issues, effect action and resolve cases.
Identify trends and patterns, prepare commentaries on results / findings, and recommend solutions in a pro-active manner with regard to cash payment and receipt investigation.
Investigate and report cash overdrafts and long balances in relation to external cash balances.
Cash Reconciliation:
Perform daily reconciliation of cash transactions (in several currencies) thus ensuring transactions related to corporate cash processed by cash management team are settled correctly, and any exceptions are investigated and resolved.
Prepare monthly reconciliations of Investments and Net Asset Value per World Bank's records to corresponding records of the Custodian.
Investigate reconciliation differences, performing analysis, posting necessary adjustments for resolution of any differences, preparing commentaries on results / findings, and recommending solutions in a pro-active manner
Assist in daily system to system reconciliations and controls review and communicating findings promptly to ensure proper follow-up and timely resolution of any identified differences and exceptions.
Cash Accounting:
Assist in the month-end close process for cash including preparation of reports and necessary adjustments needed to ensure accuracy of data and balances that are sent to general ledger system (SAP)
Assist in the prompt delivery of daily, monthly, quarterly, and year-end deliverables and other ad- hoc reporting requirements for Treasury's worldwide clients.
Other Accountabilities:
Develop, implement, and document changes to TREBK procedures, processes, and standards and actively contribute to the projects and business initiatives undertaken by the team
Work effectively within the team, as well as with colleagues across business units in applying technical skills and knowledge to support and implement process improvements to the team’s risk management and operational processes.
Effectively communicate with TREOP staff and Management both in Chennai and in Washington, D.C. headquarters on the status of all assigned activities
The candidate is expected to work Singapore or London shift to meet reporting deadlines and at times, will be required to provide extended support to overlap with Washington DC, USA as per business needs.
Selection Criteria
Bachelor’s Degree in Commerce, Accounting or Finance and at least 3 years of post-qualification experience in payments investigations, reconciliation and accounting and reporting of multiple financial products. Candidates with post-graduate degree in Finance, CA-Inter or ICWA – Inter would have an advantage.
Knowledge of the payments processing space, including SWIFT payments, ACH clearing, and cross- border payments. A strong understanding of the common issues encountered in payments processing, and future trends (particularly ISO 20022), and technology shaping the payments industry.
Knowledge of workflow and case management tools and systems, and the ability to utilize these tools to streamline processes and develop effective management reports and dashboards.
Knowledge of the cash reconciliation and accounting processes, and the ability to effectively investigate differences stemming from cash processing and/or bank account issues; communicating findings promptly to ensure proper follow-up and timely resolution of any identified differences and exceptions.
Knowledge of financial instruments including fixed income securities and derivatives products.
High level of initiative, self-confidence and a self-starter; ability to apply a practical matured approach to problem solving with minimum supervision.
Strong quantitative and qualitative analytical skills, including excellent spreadsheet skills. Familiarity with writing macros will be a plus.
Demonstrated ability to learn new technology quickly and effectively for maximum productivity.
Diplomacy and strong interpersonal skills with strong commitment to work in a respectful, team oriented and multi-cultural work environment.
