Financial Officer

 Description

Do you want to build a career that is truly worthwhile? 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. Visit www.worldbank.org.

The Pension and Endowments Department (PEN) is responsible for the financial management and administration of the World Bank Group’s funded benefit plans, including the retirement scheme – the Staff Retirement Plan, the retiree medical and life insurance programs – the Retired Staff Benefits Plan, and other ancillary benefits. The financial management includes asset management responsibilities and actuarial support. PEN manages about $41 billion US dollars invested across a range of asset classes, from fixed income to public equities to private equity, real assets and absolute return strategies. The Pension Finance Committee, appointed by the Bank Group President and chaired by the Chief Financial Officer, has oversight responsibility for the financial management of the plans. 

The Pension Middle Office team (PENMO) under PEN is responsible for providing a full range of functions supporting these investment activities, including the following:  i) pension plan operational activities, ii) preparation of pension plans financial statements, iii) pension investment performance and attribution, iv) monitoring asset class exposures, v) all investment asset pricing and valuation, and vi) third-party clients’ reporting.

The World Bank Group is committed to achieving diversity in terms of race, gender, nationality, culture, and educational background. Individuals with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.

Duties and Accountabilities:

• Perform and/or review investment performance reporting of a multi-asset class portfolio including attribution analysis of various asset classes to support ad-hoc, weekly, monthly, quarterly and annual reporting to investment team and management.
• Prepare and/or review the weekly/ad-hoc pension exposure report and calculate the adjusted strategic asset allocation for the portfolios.
• Prepare/ review benchmark risk rebalancing and FX trades for portfolio managers.
• Provide first-class support to the investment team to better understand unique requirements and develop client-specific reporting and dashboard analytics.
• Review and prepare various analyses and reports to support senior management and investment teams in their business decision making.
• Reviewing and analyzing management and performance fees for these asset classes for reasonableness and completeness based on legal and financial documents.
• Contributing to drafting and review of the Annual Report of the Plan.
• Supporting the year-end audit of the pension plans.
• Assisting in various tasks within a multi-asset class management business in the areas of operations, fund accounting and management reporting.
• Ensuring that all business processes in the unit are properly documented and complied with.
• Step in when required to provide oversight of day-to-day deliverables of team in terms of quality and deadlines
• Reviewing the work of other team members and providing adequate back-up to ensure deliverables and reporting requirements are promptly and accurately met.
• Research capabilities by responding quickly to requests from clients, including investment teams, and adding value and insights into various projects and transactions under consideration.
• Identify process improvements and create checks and controls by suggesting ways to make processes more streamlined and robust.

Selection Criteria

1. Advanced Degree in finance or business. Having CFA/FRM/CIPM charter will be an added advantage. 

2. At least 5 years of post-qualification relevant work experience required in asset management, portfolio management or middle office of a Financial Institution supporting investment performance of multi-asset class investment portfolios.

3. Ability to deal with various third parties such as custodians, fund administrators, investment managers, general partners etc. to obtain information.

4. Experience in managing client relationships with a focus on quality and consistency of meeting client expectations in line with the agreed SLAs including reporting of the KPIs / KRIs.

5. Strong quantitative and qualitative analytical skills, including excellent spreadsheet skills. Familiarity with data automation/analytics tools and demonstrated experience of creating and maintaining visualization tools-based dashboards will be an added advantage.

6. Ability to perform analysis of data and research literature to drive critical conclusions and insights for senior management to support their business decision-making.

7. Demonstrated ability to learn new technology quickly and effectively for maximum productivity. Knowledge of Bloomberg will be an advantage.

8. Excellent communication and presentation skills – both verbal and written.

9. High level of initiative, self-confidence and a self-starter; ability to apply a practical matured approach to problem solving with minimum supervision.

10. Commitment to work in a respectful, team-oriented and multi-cultural environment.

11. Highest ethical standards.

Competencies:

• Financial Market Literacy – Can understand financial market processes; reads and analyzes financial reports and data such as holdings, valuation, performance, compliance, account reconciliations, margin, and settlement and risk reports.

• Client Services – Contributes successfully to on-site missions or workshops for Treasury clients. 

• Process and Infrastructure Development – Makes recommendations to improve efficiency of the accounting, business risk or operations process. 

• Operational Risk and Control – Understands the basic concepts of risk management and internal control frameworks.

• Client Orientation – Able to establish partnership based working relationships with internal/external clients. Demonstrates independence, initiative, and autonomy in addressing clients’ needs.

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

• Knowledge, Learning and Communication – Able to research and draft quality written materials or review adherence of written materials prepared by others to administrative requirements. Able to mentor and guide and organize learning activities within area of assigned responsibilities.

• Business Judgment and Analytical Decision Making – Able to use analytical, problem-solving skills and resourcefulness to make informed and practical decisions to carry out own work. Able to advise on information usage and storage, and policies in the area of assigned responsibilities.

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.

Source: https://worldbankgroup.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/1/home/requisition/32715?c=worldbankgroup