Head of Finance, Risk and Management Services

About the role

The World Food Programme (WFP) is recruiting a Head of Finance, Risk and Management Services for a one-year fixed-term position in a country office. The incumbent provides strategic leadership and oversight of finance, risk management, compliance, assurance and management services, advising senior management on financial stewardship, governance, resource management, internal controls and risk-informed decision-making. The post leads multidisciplinary teams and is accountable for financial resources, risk governance, management services operations and corporate compliance.

Key responsibilities

• Define the strategic direction and workplans for Finance, Risk and Management Services, aligned with country strategy and available resources, and advise senior management on financial, governance and operational matters.
• Lead finance operations: budgeting, accounting, treasury, disbursements, financial reporting, receivables, payables and cash management, with timely month-end and year-end closures and IPSAS-compliant reporting.
• Advise on donor funding, project budgets, contribution utilization, cost recovery and resource optimization, and oversee Cash-Based Transfer operations and partner funding arrangements.
• Maintain an enterprise risk management framework covering strategic, operational, fiduciary and compliance risks, and monitor audit, review and investigation findings.
• Promote adherence to anti-fraud, anti-corruption, conflict-of-interest and ethical conduct policies, and coordinate responses to audit observations.
• Oversee management services (administration, facilities, assets, fleet, travel, protocol, safety), drive cost optimization and support UN reform and inter-agency initiatives.
• Lead financial due diligence and capacity building for partners, service providers and implementing entities.
• Lead, coach and develop teams, manage performance expectations and workforce planning, and represent the office with governments, auditors, donors and UN agencies.

Required profile

• Advanced university degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, Public Administration, Audit, Risk Management, International Development or another relevant field, or a first degree with additional years of related experience and/or training.
• Membership in an internationally recognized professional accountancy body (ACCA, ICPA/CPA or equivalent) is desirable.
• Desirable: experience in financial management, accounting, budgeting and reporting; administration, asset, facilities, travel or fleet management; risk management and internal controls; and supervising staff.

Applications are open until 28 October 2026, 23:59 GMT+03:00 (East Africa Time).