Manager, WFA Chennai
JOB DETAIL
Description
Do you want to build a career that is truly worthwhile? Working at the World Bank provides a unique opportunity for you to join us to help our clients solve their greatest development challenges. The World Bank (WB) 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 ending extreme poverty, increasing shared prosperity, and promoting sustainable development on a livable planet. 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 WB Finance & Accounting (WFA) Vice Presidency reports to the Chief Financial Officer and is responsible for all aspects of the financial reporting, accounting and internal control framework for IBRD and IDA, and the extensive Trust Fund/Partnership portfolio of the WB entities. It supports an appropriate fiduciary control framework and administering disbursements for Bank lending and leads the client service function for the WB’s corporate expenses.
Headquartered in Washington DC, WFA is comprised of three departments: (1) Corporate Accounting and Reporting, (2) Trust Funds and Loans, and (3) Financial Operations. In WFA, our mandate supports both internal and external clients while we focus on delivery, optimization, impact, and people & culture.
WFA also has a large footprint in Chennai, with about 300 employees, temporaries and contractors, supervised by 10 Senior team leaders and supported by 17 team leads. The Senior team leads report to the Managers of their respective functional units at the headquarters in Washington DC, and administratively, to the local WFA Chennai Manager.
WFA is seeking a Manager to oversee its operations in Chennai and manage delivery of certain responsibilities (Country Office Accounting and Ask Accounting Services) in the Financial Operations department.
How your contributions will help us achieve our goals
The WFA manager in Chennai plays a strategic role in ensuring the effectiveness and efficiency of WFA operations in Chennai, providing leadership, guidance and oversight as needed. The manager is a key integrator in ensuring smooth working of WFA teams across functions and geographies, through collaboration with other WFA HQ based managers, the WFA leadership team (WFALT) and other stakeholders.
The WFA Chennai Manager will be based full time in Chennai and will report directly to the Vice President & WBG (World Bank Group) Controller. He/She will also report to the Director, Financial Operations, as it relates to the responsibilities of the Financial Operations Department.
What you will do:
Strategic Leadership:
• Serve as part of the WFA Leadership Team (comprising the VP, and Directors). Actively participate in WFALT discussions and deliberations, to provide inputs to the WFALT from the Chennai perspective, bringing an aggregate voice of Chennai staff to the WFALT and vice versa
• Coordination of overall effectiveness and efficiency in the execution of WFA’s work program in Chennai working with WFA Directors and Managers, to facilitate high quality, timely delivery.
• Drive, manage, and monitor WFA Chennai’s performance against business goals and unit objectives in coordination with the HQ managers who manage the work programs.
• Drive transformation through process improvements/ simplification and automation by encouraging adoption of technology and tools as prioritized by the leadership team, across WFA teams in Chennai.
• Coordinate and monitor resource requirements (staffing and budget) for WFA in Chennai. Provide input to the Leadership team for decision-making on resource requirements.
• Build and retain a motivated team through effective and robust training, hiring, retention and staff development approaches across WFA’s Chennai operations.
• Create consensus among stakeholders and support implementation of WFA policies, programs, and initiatives in Chennai to ensure consistency across WFA Chennai staff.
People management:
• Coordination of the performance management processes in collaboration with local HR (Human Resources) leaders, and HQ Managers, who are accountable for HR decisions (SRI, promotions, talent, strategic staffing, hiring performance awards, etc.).
• Implementation of HR cross-cutting programs/initiatives such as Employee Engagement Survey action plan, career development framework, etc. for WFA teams in Chennai
• Support the WFA Learning program in Chennai and monitor its effectiveness.
• In collaboration with other WFA Managers, lead and support staff skills development, rotations, special assignments, and other career growth opportunities, consistent with VPU’s business needs
• Establish effective mechanisms and meaningful performance standards for Team Leads to strengthen oversight of staff.
• Provide coaching and guidance, and coordinate staff needs for relevant cross-functional training, certifications, mentoring needs.
• Proactively monitor the throughput of work being performed by WFA teams in Chennai in alignment with global functions; performing, as required, in coordination with HQ managers, diagnostic reviews of error transactions, work processes and ensure a balanced control environment.
Stakeholder Management:
• Liaise and build strategic relationships with WFA Directors and Managers, the Chennai Center Manager, and business partners, to ensure effectiveness of WFA work programs supported and delivered from the Chennai Center.
• Collaborate with WFA Directors and Managers on how to align stakeholder needs with staffing and resourcing and understand and prioritize client business needs.
• Regularly share and seek input/feedback from the Vice President, Directors, and Managers on project and systems performance, processes, timelines, and expectations, flagging potential problems in WFA Chennai.
• Coordinate institutional shared services efforts for WFA and provide inputs to HQ based Financial Operations Director who represents WFA in the Shared Services Committee. Proactively identify and raise issues that need the attention of the leadership team.
• Represent WFA Chennai at appropriate internal and external forums/meetings.
Country Office Accounting & Ask Accounting Services:
• Lead the Country Office Accounting and Ask Accounting Services teams in the Financial Operations Department to effectively deliver the team’s work program.
• Setting the strategic direction for the teams consistent with WFA’s vision. Provide the operational oversight and strategic capability development of the core functions of Country Office Accounting and Ask Accounting, and delivery of the work program.
• Adapt the work program to evolving business needs and collaborate with business partners to prioritize and deliver the work program in line with changing needs.
• Drive automation and simplification in the Department to harness efficiencies and enhance risk mitigation.
• Measure and monitor operational efficiency gains by capturing and tracking key performance indicators and metrics for helpdesk operations.
• Actively manage talent and evolve skills mix towards value-added activities, analytics, project management, client advisory with focus on current and future needs of the teams.
• Manage expectations of clients, business partners, and stakeholders by creating collaborative working relationships across various stakeholder communities
Other Responsibilities:
• Oversee operational risk for WFA Chennai, including WFA specific business continuity exercises (with the relevant manager and business continuity team).
• Coordinate execution of special projects in Chennai in consultation with WFA managers and Directors as needed.
• Represent Chennai staff and WFA interests on the Chennai Leadership Council.
Selection Criteria
What you will bring:
Education and Experience:
• Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, or relevant field
• CPA/ACCA or CA is required.
• Minimum 15 years of post – qualification experience preferably in a large financial institution, experience in a multilateral development bank is beneficial.
Knowledge and Skills:
• In-depth understanding of controllership functions.
• Strong analytical skills and digital dexterity.
• General knowledge of U.S. and international accounting standards.
• Familiarity with COSO, internal controls, and or related audit standards and practices.
Abilities:
• Track record of effective people management. Proven record in motivating and leading people, developing talent with vision to build strong teams.
• Demonstrated ability in spearheading innovation, automation, simplification and implementing business process change.
• Proven ability to build and leverage strong stakeholder relationships across multiple business units and functions towards achievement of collective goals.
• Outstanding interpersonal, diplomatic, influencing and partnership skills.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills and ability to articulate complex ideas clearly and concisely and speak persuasively.
• Superior level of resourcefulness and ability to work with considerable autonomy through the whole spectrum of activities from the strategic level to the resolution of specific issues.
• Demonstrated strategic thinking skills and ability to engage in a substantive dialogue on complex issues and corporate priorities.
Competencies:
• Thinks Critically and Conceptually: Analyzes a situation and solves problems by synthesizing information to identify trends, patterns, and connections.
• Communicates Effectively: Clearly demonstrates active listening, shares ideas, and persuasively conveys information tailored to a variety of contexts.
• Understands and Advises Stakeholders: Demonstrates a detailed understanding of stakeholders by proactively and appropriately anticipating and responding to their needs.
• Demonstrates Personal Leadership: Continuously improves personal performance in one’s role by proactively identifying opportunity for personal growth, reflects on strengths, and demonstrates courage to act with integrity.
• Makes Decisions Effectively: Demonstrates decision making that is timely, strategic, well communicated, and with an awareness of possible outcomes.
• Seeks Diverse Perspectives: Seeks out different perspectives and experiences. Demonstrates the ability to work with others in an inclusive manner to accomplish priorities.
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.
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