Director

Director

Job #:

req25012

Organization:

World Bank

Sector:

Finance & Accounting

Grade:

GI

Term Duration:

3 years 0 months

Recruitment Type:

International Recruitment

Location:

Washington, DC,United States

Required Language(s):

English

Preferred Language(s):

Closing Date:

11/21/2023 (11:59pm UTC)

Description

Working at the World Bank Group provides a unique opportunity for you to work at a purpose driven organization. The World Bank Group is one of the largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing countries; a unique global partnership of five institutions (IBRD, IDA, IFC, MIGA, and ICSID), dedicated to creating a world free of poverty on a livable planet. With 189 member countries, and more than 130 offices worldwide, the World Bank Group entities work with public and private sector partners, investing in catalytic projects and using data, research, and technology to develop solutions to the most urgent global challenges. For more information, visit www.worldbank.org

World Bank Group Finance & Accounting (WFA) is led by the Vice President & Controller, who reports to the Managing Director & Chief Financial Officer. WFA 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), and the extensive Trust Fund/Partnership portfolio of these entities. WFA leads the centralized common services for the WBG corporate expenses, and ensures fiduciary responsibility for all disbursements related to Bank operations.

The VPU comprises three departments led by three directors which report to the Vice President & WBG Controller:

1. Corporate Accounting and Reporting (WFACA);

2. Financial Operations (WFAFO)

3. Trust Funds and Loans (WFATL)

About the Role:

We are seeking a Director to lead the Financial Operations Department (WFAFO). The position is based in Washington DC, where the Director serves as a key member of the WFA Leadership Team. The department has approximately 170 staff, operating from Washington DC, Chennai, India, and Manila, Philippines, with the majority being in Chennai.

People management skills, a vision for automation, efficiency and modernization of products, services and processes, and a robust client management orientation are essential characteristics for success in this position.

Functional Area Responsibilities:

General:

The department, with three divisions, is responsible for the recording and reporting of the World Bank Group's administrative expenses (approximately $5 billion), and fixed assets, oversight of country office accounting operations and liquidity, and providing help desk support for staff and vendors. They make extensive use of technology such as robotic process automation (RPA), process mining, and other low to no code tools, to streamline, re-engineer, digitize and automate their processes, which comprise high transaction volumes. The work program includes processing, accounting, monitoring and reporting of administrative expense transactions, assisting country office accountants with accounting transactions and liquidity management, performing quality assurance reviews, and providing strategic leadership and guidance to business units across the World Bank Group on developing and maintaining an effective system of internal controls over the processing and reporting of administrative expenses. The divisions are also responsible for developing policy and monitoring compliance relating to administrative expenses and fixed assets/leases.

The responsibilities are summarized as follows:

Accounts Payable, Quality Assurance and Travel Accounting division (WFATA): vendor payments, fixed assets and lease accounting, quality assurance program, sanctions screening, SAP authorization oversight, travel accounting, and managing the corporate travel card program.

Accounts Receivable, Payroll & Tax division (WFAPT): payment of salaries, benefits; all internal and external receivables, tax allowances to WBG staff and retirees.

Country Office Accounting and Client Service Desk Operations (WFACN/WFAAN): assistance to country office accountants on accounting transactions and local liquidity management, control reviews, and training and knowledge sharing with country office accountants, Askaccounting help desk support to WBG staff and vendors on administrative processes such as travel, payments to staff and vendors.

What you will do:

Leading WFA's largest department - which serves all the World Bank entities in most of its functions - you will:

• Model leadership, motivate, and mentor staff and managers; foster a positive respectful work culture of teamwork, innovation and client orientation. Create an enabling environment with strong talent management, professional development and learning for staff, and build a pipeline of second line and future leaders.

• Set the strategic direction for the department in line with the priorities and objectives of the VPU, effectively managing financial and human resources, and ensuring delivery of the department's work program, along with various corporate and VPU level responsibilities which may change over time.

• Identify and implement process standardization and simplification, productivity improvements, and control enhancement initiatives that improve service quality, timeliness, cost effectiveness, and reduce operational risk. You will also ensure client and stakeholder satisfaction, meeting agreed service level metrics.

• Identify and adopt or adapt industry best practices related to the delivery and operation of centralized service functions in a global environment, and liaise with external parties on relevant matters - including leadership of the Multilateral Development Bank Corporate Accounting Services Forum.

• Manage sensitive situations, escalations and provide technical leadership as needed.

• Lead strategic discussions and stakeholder engagement with key business partners including IFC and MIGA client units, ITS, BPS, HR, GCS, TRE, SPA, Legal, Corporate Procurement, Country Management teams and Regional Vice President Units.

Selection Criteria

What you will bring:

Education:

• Minimum education: Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance or related field; Master's a plus

• Required Qualification: CPA/CA or equivalent professional accountancy designation

Experience:

• 15 years or more of relevant experience in the accounting field (preferably including time with either an international accounting firm, a Fortune 500 corporation, or the World Bank Group)

• Track-record in a senior leadership position, managing multi location teams.

• Experience with high volume transaction processing operations in a multi-currency, global environment

• Demonstrated experience implementing improvements that increase quality, efficiency, controls, and timeliness of service

• Experience implementing technology enabled process improvements and innovations (experience with ERP implementation a plus)

Knowledge and Skills:

• Solid knowledge of US GAAP or IFRS.

• Sound knowledge and understanding of accounting theory, internal control concepts and principles related to the functional areas, combined with proven practical skills in accounting, reporting, business planning, work programming, budgeting, financial management, and audit.

• Pro-activity, collaborative problem-solving skills, client responsiveness and pragmatism.

• Relationship management cutting across functions, with a focus on client service and stakeholder management.

• Collaboration and negotiation skills, managing tradeoffs at senior levels with diverse stakeholders.

Abilities:

• Strong communication skills (fluent in English), both written and oral, to convey complex financial, accounting, and control issues in a clear, concise way at all levels from senior management to staff.

• Seasoned leader with proven ability to build and nurture productive teams

• Working collaboratively across organizational boundaries, building and strengthening cooperation and coordination across the WBG entities, with operations, finance, and corporate support departments.

• Leadership and organizational acumen to conduct unit operations across multiple locations, while addressing the needs of multiple clients and partners in service delivery.

• Ability and willingness to travel internationally.

WBG Managerial Competencies:

As a manager and leader, you will be required to demonstrate the following key WBG group managerial competencies: Leading the team for impact, Influencing across boundaries, Fostering Openness to new ideas, and Building talent for the future. Use this link for details.

The World Bank Group values diversity and encourages all qualified candidates who are nationals of World Bank Group member countries to apply, regardless of gender, gender identity, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability. Sub-Saharan African nationals, Caribbean nationals, and female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.