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.

Eastern and Southern Africa (E AFR) Region

We need the best and brightest talent focused on our region in order to harness the potential and innovation happening across the continent.  Home to about 700 million of Africa’s people, Eastern and Southern Africa is a geographically, culturally and economically diverse region of 26 countries stretching from the Red Sea in the North to the Cape of Good Hope in the South.

The subregion harbors some of Africa’s protracted conflicts, rendering many of its countries fragile, while significant gaps in education, health, and skills development continues to keep people from reaching their full potential. This creates a huge development challenge, impacts heavily on the lives and livelihoods of people, and hinders regional integration and trade! But it also creates an opportunity to work closely with country leaders, civil society, development partners, and young people to chart a brighter course for the future.

Are you ready to make an impact? We are looking for dedicated professionals to join our innovative and diverse team to improve people’s lives and help countries build back better after COVID!

Eastern and Southern Africa (AFR E ) Region: https://www.worldbank.org/en/region/afr/eastern-and-southern-africa

Prosperity Practice Group

The Prosperity Practice Group (PG) supports economic policies and legal, regulatory and institutional reforms to enable equitable and sustainable growth and to promote sustainable institutions that serve to reduce poverty. It comprises four Global Practices – Finance, Competitiveness & Innovation; Macroeconomics, Trade & Investment; Poverty & Equity; and Governance.

The Governance Global Practice

More than half of the global population expresses distrust in government institutions. The Governance GP helps developing countries build capable, efficient, open, inclusive and accountable institutions that can support economic growth, reduce poverty, deliver needed services and earn the confidence of citizens.  Our work encompasses public financial management, public procurement, civil service reform, open government, anti-corruption, and using technology to improve quality and access to government services.

For more information: https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/governance

Country Management Unit Context

The AECS1 country management unit (CMU) covers 5 countries (Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia and the Republic of South Africa).  Pretoria serves as the regional hub for most non-Washington DC based staff covering these five countries. The selected staff will therefore be based in Pretoria.

More information on Botswana: https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/botswana

More information on Eswatini: https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/eswatini

More information on Lesotho: https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/lesotho

More information on Namibia: https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/namibia

More information on the Republic of South Africa: https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/southafrica

Duties and Accountabilities

• You will be under the supervision of the Governance Practice Manager for the EAEG2 Unit (Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Comoros, Democratic Republic of Congo, Eswatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Sao Tome and Principe, Seychelles, South Africa) and will work in coordination with other EAEG2 team members based in Washington DC and in other country offices, as well as with colleagues from other Global Practices.

Together with one other Senior Financial Management Specialist based in Pretoria, you will be responsible and accountable for operation-level financial management (FM) arrangements throughout the project cycle. Specific duties include:

• Undertaking FM assessments (covering project budgeting, internal controls, accounting, treasury, funds flow, financial reporting, auditing arrangements, and adequacy and suitability of project FM staff) for new projects.
• Providing FM implementation support (covering tests of transactions, reviews of interim financial reports and annual audited financial statements, problem solving) for ongoing projects and then updating the Bank’s automated FM monitoring systems on a timely basis.
• Monitoring ongoing project compliance with the Bank’s FM policies and procedures.
• Assessing audit firms/auditors’ independence, competence, and compliance with international auditing standards.
• Providing training, guidance, and advice on FM-related aspects to external clients (borrowers and project implementing agency staff) and internal clients (Bank staff).
• Contributing to, or leading, analytical or technical assistance work on public financial management issues including assisting countries in developing their professional accountancy institutions; in strengthening corporate financial reporting performance (including accounting and auditing standards); and supporting Supreme Audit Institutions to improve the quality and transparency of fiscal and financial information.
• Participating in country-level portfolio activities such as Country Portfolio Performance Reviews and risk-review meetings.

For information about WBG Core Competencies, please visit: https://bit.ly/2kbIA7O.

Selection Criteria

• Qualified professional accountant (CPA, CA, ACCA or equivalent membership of an internationally recognized professional accountancy body) with a Master’s degree in accounting, public financial management, finance, or another related field.
• At least 8 years of directly relevant experience in providing fiduciary or audit assurance services.
• Public financial management knowledge and experience either from working in a similar role with an international development institution or as a result of having public sector institutions as audit engagement clients.
• Experience in mentoring and supervising more junior staff.
• Strong team player with the ability to work independently and effectively both remotely and face-to-face.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English.
• Willingness to travel frequently, sometimes at short notice.
• South African national preferred. Alternatively, the legal right to live and work in South Africa.

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.