Description

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. For more information, visit www.worldbank.org

The World Bank is seeking a highly motivated and experienced Public Financial Management Specialist to support the provision of fiduciary assurance for the portfolio of World Bank-financed operations in Sierra Leone, develop technical assistance programs to strengthen the government’s own public financial management, and support a stronger system for fiduciary improvements. The successful candidate will play a critical role in providing public financial management expertise and support to various projects and programs aimed at fostering economic development and improving public financial management in Sierra Leone.

Duties & Responsibilities:

The Public Financial Management Specialist will support the team of Financial Management Specialists in ensuring compliance of World Bank-financed operations in Sierra Leone with World Bank FM policies and procedures. He/she will provide inputs to the ADM FMS for operations throughout the project/program cycle – in the design and implementation of financial management (FM) systems and processes for Bank-financed projects and programs. The role will include specific responsibilities for understanding the public financial management system in Sierra Leone and supporting the development of the pipeline of Program for Results operations by preparing inputs to the Fiduciary Systems Assessments and the design of those operations to limit the additional fiduciary risks encountered by adopting government systems.

The Public financial management specialist will provide inputs to the public sector and economist teams in defining PFM reform priorities and providing implementation support to the client. The specialist will support the operationalization of the reform agenda through contributions to analytical work, technical assistance, and supervision activities under IPF and P for R and DPO projects.

In particular, the PFM Specialist will perform the following functions:

• Work as a core member of individual project teams, liaising closely with the Task-Team Leader(s), other team members, and government counterparts and providing inputs for the ADM Financial Management Specialist.

• Provide advice consistent with compliance with the OPCS FM policies, directives, and guidance, monitors the resolution of exceptions in the portfolio with the ADM FMS, and implements a capacity-building plan to strengthen FM country system.

• Work as a core member of the Governance team providing PFM inputs to governance assessments and events and contributing to strategic discussions on financial management issues in the portfolio, public financial management issues in the country, and governance and anti-corruption risks more generally. Provide support and guidance for the Country Manager’s consideration and to the Operations Manager as requested by the PM.

• Generate and exchange knowledge relating to PFM issues and support the regional MPA for Public Resource Management.

For pipeline operations:

• Conduct assessments of PFM country systems (budget preparation, execution, accounting and reporting, internal and external audit) and provide inputs to PforR operations. Identify issues for the TTL and ADM FM’s consideration for the Program Action Plan.

• Provide inputs for financial management capacity assessments of prospective implementing entities of new IPF operations.

• Provide contributions to financial management assessments for DPOs.

• Participate in the identification, preparation, appraisal, and negotiations missions.

• Prepare timely and comprehensive contributions to the Project/Program Concept Note (PCN) and Project/Program Appraisal Document (PAD).

For active operations:

• Review the implementation of project/program internal controls, and financial reporting systems, and provide guidance to the QA FMS and ADM FMS on the extent to which implementation is on or off-track.

• Regularly communicate and collaborate with project/program teams, government counterparts, and other stakeholders to ensure effective FM and accountability.

• Monitor and report on the financial performance of projects and programs to help the ADM FMS assess their compliance with WB FM policies and regularly assess project/program FM risks.

• Contribute plans to ensure that all risks are mitigated effectively, and residual risks are monitored.

• As part of the Governance team provide ongoing technical support to the client in the implementation of two governance-led operations in Sierra Leone.

• Participate in Governance-led Implementation Support missions and identify and advise the TTL(s) on areas of concern. Contribute to Aides Memoires and ISRs regularly.

• Provide day to day implementation support on PFM systems for projects relying on country systems, such as Program for Results.

• Support Governance-led public sector reform activities such as technical assistance for PFM and tax administration reforms, contribution to SOE reform, and other topics as required.

Selection Criteria

• Master’s degree in economics, PFM, Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field.

• At least 5 years of relevant experience in public financial management of recipient-executed operations in the World Bank, other international development organizations, or governments; or as an accountant or auditor in the private sector or public administration.

• Strong knowledge of accounting principles, practices, and standards.

• Experience with public financial management systems and IFMIS software in Sierra Leone.

• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.

• Experience working in fragile, conflict-affected, or low-capacity environments, with demonstrated ability to adapt technical PFM approaches to constrained institutional settings.

• Ability to work effectively in a multicultural and multidisciplinary team environment.

• Fluency in English.

Preferred qualifications

• Professional accounting qualification (e.g., CPA, ACCA) – membership in a recognized professional accountancy organization which has a status of full IFAC membership; and/ or commitment to attain the qualification.

Required competencies

• Written and Verbal Communication – Delivers information effectively in support of team or workgroup.

• Client Orientation – Takes personal responsibility and accountability for timely response to client queries, requests, or needs, working to remove obstacles that may impede execution or overall success.

• Drive for Results – Takes personal ownership and accountability to meet deadlines and achieve agreed-upon results and has the personal organization do so.

• Teamwork (Collaboration) and Inclusion – Collaborates with other team members and contributes productively to the team’s work and output, demonstrating respect for different points of view and providing a positive contribution to problem solving.

• Knowledge, Learning and Communication – Actively seeks knowledge needed to complete assignments and shares knowledge with others, communicating and presenting information in a clear and organized manner.

• Business Judgment and Analytical Decision Making – Analyzes facts and data to support sound, logical decisions regarding own and others’ work and knows when to raise issues or ask for help.

• Public Financial Management – Understands the overall dimensions and structures of the mechanics of government resource raising, budgeting and spending, accounting, and auditing.

• Corporate financial reporting and SOEs governance – understanding dimensions of CFR institutional framework, key areas of SOEs governance.

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.