Finance Associate

Finance Associate

Job #: req37800 Organization: World Bank Sector: Budget Grade: GD Term Duration: 3 years 0 months Recruitment Type: Local Recruitment Location: Conakry,Guinea and Niamey,Niger Required Language(s): English Preferred Language(s): Closing Date: 8/7/2026 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC

Description

Do you want to build a career that is truly worthwhile? 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 and promoting shared prosperity. 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. For more information, visit www.worldbank.org

The WBG Budget and Procurement Solutions Vice Presidency (WPB VPU) is organized into five Departments serving across all organizations of the world bank group:

• WBPCP - WBG Corporate Procurement: Overseeing sourcing, supplier management, and operational support.

• WBPCE - WBG Centers of Excellence: Leading planning, reporting, shared services, and budget solutions

• WBPCU - WBG Budget Partners, Corporate, Finance, and Knowledge Units: Providing strategic and operational leadership in finance planning and budget oversight to WBG executive, compliance, corporate, finance, and knowledge VPUs.

• 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.

• CSDR – IFC & MIGA Budget Partners: Providing strategic and operational leadership in finance planning and budget oversight to IFC and MIGA clients, globally.

The unified WBG WBP VPU provides the structural framework to enable faster, simpler, and more impactful solutions for our clients all rising to the challenges of the ‘bigger and better bank’. Specifically, Finance Associate (FA) responds to the need to be where our stakeholders need us most, providing timely relevant expert advice while harmonizing and leveraging best practice solutions at speed and scale, across all country offices. In addition, in country offices, WBPAW staff performs accounting, payment processing, cash management and administration functions. Overall, WBPAW ensures that each department maintains cost efficiency and effective controls over all financial transactions and provides support for effective management and monitoring of deliverables.

The primary focus of the Finance Associate will be in the Country Office Accounting workstream. Finance Associates are expected to be specialists in accounting, analytics, controls, processes, and procedures. Finance Associate is expected to support daily accounting and financial transactions and decision-making through the provision of timely, fit for purpose information on the management of financial resources.

Key accountabilities are:

• Financial Transactions & Payments: Review and process E-payable transactions, payroll inputs, staff loans, travel and rental advances, and vendor payments, ensuring accuracy in charge codes, bank accounts, tax treatment, and supporting documentation. Conduct payment runs and respond to Chennai queries on transaction compliance.

• Budgeting, Cash Management & Financial Reporting: Prepare monthly expense forecasts, budget reports with variance analysis, and bank reconciliations; monitor and replenish country office bank accounts; and submit VAT refund claims while resolving outstanding items on VAT, inter-currency, transit, and suspense accounts.

• Procurement & Vendor Management: Monitor purchase orders, STC transactions, and vendor open items (including GRIs, SES, and invoices) through the admin portal, and oversee rental contracts in PeopleSoft to ensure timely resolution of outstanding items.

• Internal Controls, Compliance & Risk Management: Maintain effective financial controls through oversight of corporate cards, asset inventory, signatory management, contract monitoring, record retention, account reconciliations, and timely resolution of audit, scorecard, and compliance-related matters.

• Business Advisory & Staff Support: Provide guidance to the Country Manager and business area staff on WBG financial, administrative, and benefits policies — including financial assistance loans, retirement plans, dependency allowances, and overtime — and onboard new staff on finance systems, travel, and related procedures.

• Reporting, Audit & Process Improvement: Respond to Scorecard and audit queries, ensure orderly filing of transaction documentation, and support process harmonization, automation, and continuous improvement initiatives, including assigned COA projects such as VAT Automation and the SAP Upgrade.

Selection Criteria

Attention : Preference will be given to local talent, that is, applicants that are authorized to work in the duty station for any employer. Internal applicants may apply per existing guidelines.

• Minimum Education consisting of a bachelor’s degree in accounting, business, finance, or other relevant discipline required to fulfill position specific requirements (e.g. Economics, Public Administration, Information Systems, etc.) OR non-finance bachelor’s degree plus one of the following: (1) CIMA Advanced Diploma in Management Accounting; or (2) ACCA Advanced Diploma in Accounting and Business; or (3) equivalent country-level accounting certificate.

• 1 year of relevant experience in a comparable accounting or finance-oriented role.

• Good working knowledge of budget/finance systems and reports, particularly SAP, Power BI, BW/AO and BPC and experience with major systems for financial/budget management is preferred.

• Knowledge of external funds policies and procedures is desirable.

• Experience with requirements gathering and business analysis, applying critical thinking to independently analyze complex problems, and pursue efficiency improvements

• Experience with data management/modeling; process analysis, design and automation.

• Track record of supporting business decision making through the provision of relevant analytics, using statistical and AI/ML methods, and visualization solutions

• Strong collaboration skills with other functions, an excellent team player with good project management skills.

• Track record of handling transactional-level financial/accounting work and supporting business decision-making by providing relevant analytics and advice.

• Demonstrated expertise in financial reporting, budget monitoring, and internal control

Experience with relevant business areas inside and outside the bank is not a must but will be helpful.

• Demonstrated working experience in accounting, bank reconciliations, procurement process, facilities, vendor management, and internal controls.

• Proficient user of relevant computer applications and systems, including Excel/PowerPoint, AO.

• Working experience with finance systems and reports, particularly SAP, BW/AO, and/or comparable experience with financial/budget management systems.

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to support budgeting, cost control, and financial planning efforts.

• The incumbent should be fluent in English.

• Excellent communication skills (written and oral) and people oriented.

Accounting Technical Skills:

Accounting and Reporting: Describes core accounting and reporting processes for administrative transactions, including roles, responsibilities, and escalation procedures. Identifies standard payment mechanisms used for staff and vendors. Summarizes the purpose and basic requirements of AML/CFT and internal controls.

Accounts Receivable and Payable: Explains the importance of accurate and timely processing of invoices and positive pay transactions in the own business area. Demonstrates an understanding of basic accounts payable and receivable concepts. Describes the organization's preferred processes for paying accounts and managing accounts receivable.

Finance and Accounting Trends: Demonstrates an awareness and understanding of finance and accounting trends. Explains the importance of keeping abreast of finance and accounting trends for the organization. List current trends, developments, and technologies within the field of finance and accounting.

Finance Management: Demonstrates an understanding of the basic financial management concepts. Describes the purpose and objectives of financial management within its own business area. Explains the importance of financial management.

WBG Culture Attributes:

1. Sense of urgency: Anticipate and quickly respond to the needs of internal and external stakeholders.
2. Thoughtful risk-taking: Challenge the status quo and push boundaries to achieve greater impact.
3. Empowerment and accountability: Empower yourself and others to act and hold each other accountable for results.

World Bank Group Core Competencies

The World Bank Group offers comprehensive benefits, including a retirement plan; medical, life and disability insurance; and paid leave, including parental leave, as well as reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity and inclusive employer with a dedicated and committed workforce, and do not discriminate based on gender, gender identity, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability.

Learn more about working at the World Bank and IFC including our values and inspiring stories.