Head of Financial Sector Intelligence and Innovation

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

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ABOUT WFP

The World Food Programme is the worlds largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict disasters and the impact of climate change.

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WHY JOIN WFP

• WFP is a 2020 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate.

• WFP offers a highly inclusive diverse and multicultural working environment.

• WFP invests in the personal & professional development of its employees through a range of training accreditation coaching mentorship and other programs as well as through internal mobility opportunities.

• A career path in WFP provides an exciting opportunity to work across the various country regional and global offices around the world and with passionate colleagues who work tirelessly to ensure that effective humanitarian assistance reaches millions of people across the globe.

• We offer an attractive compensation package (please refer to the Terms and Conditions section of this vacancy announcement).

JOB TITLE: Head of Financial Sector Intelligence and Innovation

TYPE OF CONTRACT: regular consultancy 100% full time assignment 50% CFOFC - 50% share with PHCO

UNIT/DIVISION: CFOFC CFO Division

DUTY STATION (City Country): Remote (from Permanent Place of Residence)

DURATION: until 30.06.2026 with possibility of extension

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT: The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is the worlds largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food and cash assistance to change lives and empower people to meet their essential needs. WFP does this both through direct programming as well as by supporting governments on their national pathways toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in partnership with multiple stakeholders. Cash-based transfers (CBT) represent an increasing share of WFPs total humanitarian assistance (38 percent in 2025) and include assistance distributed as physical banknotes e-money mobile money vouchers or debit 2025 WFP transferred USD 2.17 billion to expected 39 million in 77 countries empowering them to meet their essential needs.
The Consultant will be required to act as a global focal point for Financial Sector Intelligence and Innovation. This will include being in charge of the second Sprint of the technical and procedural developments of WFPs beneficiary payment platform and head the plugPAY addition to this the external angle of baselining developments and scouting innovative financial services shall also reside within the responsibilities of the Consultant to provide comprehensive guidance to Country Offices and represent the team in cross-functional working and steering groups. Based on availability the Consultant will be leading the team that guides the standard CBT preparedness process by rolling out a new tool for consolidated Financial Sector Assessment through a cross-functional lense with improved preparedness standards and lowered lead and contracting times. Based on this liaison with Central Banks will be established in key countries and regions while the Consultant will be responsible and accountable for direct engagements as well as upskilling of the WFP workforce for future deepened relationship with regulatory bodies in the financial arena.

ACCOUNTABILITIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Consultant will undertake the following tasks:
1) Head WFPs new beneficiary payment initiative plug&PAY:
Manage the piloting and development of the innovative financial solution to achieve programmatic goals towards financial inclusion and economic empowerment. Develop and implement improvements to financial policies systems and procedures accordingly in order to improve efficiency and effectiveness of beneficiary payments minimize counterparty risk incurred by prepositioning of funds.
Prepare mainstreaming of payment management tool as a future corporate solution along with a robust system and implementation package such as assurance process accounting model data management legal review building on relationships with treasury banks
Assist senior stakeholders of WFP partners and government to identify and analyze maturity of payment landscape and provide - or mobilize - support and technical expertise for the design and delivery of suitable payment scheme
Advocate for resources and develop cost recovery model for a sustainable roll-out of plugPAY including by articulating a business case for WFPs contributions and exploring new potential resource channels
Advise and support COs in implementing new beneficiary payment process in order to ensure transparent and efficient utilization of WFPs financial resources and identify areas for savings in current payment process.
Carry out field visits to clarify application of new policies and procedure and oversee preparation of reports on findings with improvement action plans. Ensure that bank reconciliation disbursements overall cash management and monthly financial closures are performed in accordance with new process requirements.
Represent unit/CO at internal meetings external meetings and events with other UN agencies banks and other financial institutions or other partners and entities as required.
Ensure the best use of assigned financial resources for achievement of objectives within a significant project budget.
Enhance WFPs leadership status in different forums pertinent to cash based transfers.

2) Lead FinTech workstream and financial services ecosystem development approach by:
translating corporate policies and strategies pertinent to Financial Inclusion Choice and Women Economic Empowerment as well as government hosted Cash-based Safety nets into country-level practices by engaging Central Banks and Private Sector in country and regions
advising and supporting the design of learning initiatives that enhance the capacity of WFP staff and partners to engage with Financial Sector regulatory and supervisory bodies
strategizing on the use of national payment systems and infrastructure in countries of operation while fostering regulator dialogue

3) Act as the global focal point for Financial Sector Intelligence and Innovation ensuring a clear and strong connection between the field operations Regional Bureaux and HQ. Manage the Financial Sector Intelligence Team (subject to the time given it is part time) and oversee full roll-out of new Financial Sector Intelligence (FSI) approach to create a preparedness roster for CBT and offer stringent financial sector ratings early warning risk analysis and contingency planning and make recommendations while providing conclusions to the CBT working group and CO management to enable them to make informed decisions.

4) Manage or oversee the preparation and dissemination of timely analytical and critical reports publications and a variety of knowledge products or proposals for internal or external use that position and strengthen the credibility of WFP as a partner in innovative CBT mechanisms and for direct operational use of innovative financial products and services in regions and countries

5) Manage or oversee global regional and local market research and evidence building on potential FSP contributions to CBT as pathway to understand feasibility to support larger scale operations and choice within interventions

6) Conceptualize and participate in delivery of various capacity augmentation initiatives undertaken by the unit including conducting face-to-face meetings and webinars update of eLearning materials and modules

7) Lead motivate and coach a team of finance professionals and general service staff to enable continued development and high performance.

8) Perform other duties as required.

9) 50% share of the above with PHCO. On call expertise to help CO staff think through different options and/or come in for specific discussions or trainings for government. Build finance capacity in the CO especially on also disaster risk finance working closely with the economist for a joint SDG fund project etc. Having additional expertise to make sure CO is moving in the right direction and leverage new opportunities when they arise.

DELIVERABLES AT THE END OF THE CONTRACT:

- plug&PAY implementation including risk review and assurance process financial management of the project
- Financial Sector Ecosystem Development approach and toolkit
- Advisory to Country Offices regarding financial sector regulatory environment risks and opportunities
- Roll-out of Financial Sector Intelligence Tool learning material and roll-out plan
- Clearance of CBT preparedness assessments (FSI) based on availability

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

Education:
Advanced University Degree in Economics or Finance Business Administration or related fields.

Experience:
Over 10 years experience in relevant technical fields preferably in the nexus of Finance and Humanitarian Cash assistance: Previous work experience in WFP or other UN agency is required.
- Has worked with WFP or other UN agencies on CBT related duties and financial assessment cycles
- Has managed discussions with experts in other sectors of WFP expertise e.g. Legal Supply Chain Technology etc.
- Has experience managing substantial components of a complex portfolio or work
- Has experience leading a substantive team.

Knowledge & Skills:
- Technical knowledge and experience required to identify analyse and resolve more complex financial sector related issues.
- Technical skills to provide review of and advisory on processes documents and assessments combined with experience in the multiple CBT-related specialized financial and programmatic areas
- Demonstrated in-depth understanding of financial and risk management techniques for CBT programme and financial policies business processes to apply these in the implementation of WFP programme interventions
- Ability to manage complex budgets and financial statuses of projects
- Team management and target setting for self and others to focus team efforts in ambiguous situations
- Demonstrated ability to adapt engagement approach in the context of evolving partner circumstances and expectations

WFP LEADERSHIP FRAMEWORK

WFP Leadership Framework guides to the common standards of behavior that guide HOW we work together to accomplish our mission.

Click here to access WFP Leadership Framework

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION

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REMINDERS BEFORE YOU SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION

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• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited to proceed to the next stage of the recruitment process.

All employment decisions are made on the basis of organizational needs job requirements merit and individual qualifications. WFP is committed to providing an inclusive work environment free of sexual exploitation and abuse all forms of discrimination any kind of harassment sexual harassment and abuse of authority. Therefore all selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

No appointment under any kind of contract will be offered to members of the UN Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ) International Civil Service Commission (ICSC) FAO Finance Committee WFP External Auditor WFP Audit Committee Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) and other similar bodies within the United Nations system with oversight responsibilities over WFP both during their service and within three years of ceasing that service.