Programme Policy Officer SC9 (Payment Specialist)

WFP celebrates and embraces diversity. It is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all its employees and encourages qualified candidates to apply irrespective of race, colour, national origin, ethnic or social background, genetic information, gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, HIV status or disability.

Vacancy Announcement n°: JR109102

Job Title: Programme Policy Officer SC9 (Payment Specialist)

Type of Contract: Service Contract

Unit / Division: Programme / WFP Ukraine

Duty Station: Kyiv

Duration: 12 months (renewable)

Closing date: 26th January 2025, midnight (Central European Time)

ABOUT WFP

The World Food Programme is the world’s 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.

At WFP, people are at the heart of everything we do, and the vision of the future WFP workforce is one of diverse, committed, skilled, and high performing teams, selected on merit, operating in a healthy and inclusive work environment, living WFP's values (Integrity, Collaboration, Commitment, Humanity, and Inclusion) and working with partners to save and change the lives of those WFP serves.

Why work with us?

The war in Ukraine has had drastic consequences, both for people inside the country and for those around the world dependent on its huge grain supplies. It is inflicting untold suffering on civilians, displace families, and disrupt supply chains and food production. It has caused one of the fastest forced population movements since the Second World War. Close to 6 million Ukrainians are still living as refugees across Europe, and almost 5.1 million are internally displaced. Many have lost their homes and livelihoods. As food production and supply lines are disrupted by fighting, many families in the east and south do not have reliable access to nutritious food.

WFP uses a flexible mix of food and cash assistance to support communities affected by the war wherever they are. This includes working with local partners to distribute food rations in areas near the frontline and providing cash transfers wherever people have access to banks and markets to buy food. Since March 2022, WFP has distributed food and cash assistance equivalent to 2.4 billion meals to families displaced and affected by the war, partnering directly with local responders.

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 trainings, 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 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.

How can you make a difference?

The Payment Specialist is integral to managing the end-to-end payment processes for WFP’s cash-based assistance programs. Responsibilities include preparing and communicating payment instructions to financial service providers (FSPs), monitoring the execution of

payments, addressing operational challenges such as failed transactions, and ensuring robust reconciliation and reporting mechanisms.

In addition to operational tasks, the role involves fostering collaboration with internal and external stakeholders, overseeing contractual arrangements with FSPs, and ensuring compliance with corporate standards and donor requirements. By ensuring efficient and reliable payment delivery, the Payment Specialist supports WFP’s mission to provide life-saving assistance in a timely and impactful manner.

Accountabilities

Development and Execution of Payment Solutions

• Contribute to the design, development, and implementation of payment solutions that address operational needs while adhering to WFP standards and policies.
• Coordinate the preparation and submission of payment instructions, such as letters of authorization and data uploads into financial service provider (FSP) systems, ensuring timely and accurate execution of payments while abiding by contractual terms.

Payment Monitoring and Troubleshooting

• Monitor payment processes across multiple delivery mechanisms to ensure timely execution and identify operational issues.
• Troubleshoot failed transactions, collaborating with FSPs and field teams to initiate corrective actions and minimize disruptions to people.

Reconciliation and Reporting

• Conduct detailed reconciliations of payment instructions, FSP reports, and recipient data to ensure accuracy, transparency, and accountability.
• Generate timely, comprehensive reports on payment execution, fund utilization, and program impact, incorporating feedback and performance metrics for internal and external stakeholders.

Collaboration and Cross-functional Coordination

• Ensure payment operations align with the latest organizational guidelines.
• Comply with data assurance guidelines to implement and maintain robust controls for data, ensuring compliance with WFP’s data standards.

FSP Relationship and Contract Management

• Manage relationships with financial service providers, ensuring adherence to contractual obligations and identifying opportunities for operational improvements.
• Oversee the drafting, review, and negotiation of agreements, amendments, and extensions in coordination with legal and HQ teams, ensuring alignment with organizational policies.

System and Process Oversight

• Oversee the end-to-end payment lifecycle within WFP systems (e.g., SCOPE), ensuring compliance with timelines and organizational standards.
• Support the setup, due diligence, and operationalization of payment delivery systems, ensuring that all processes are efficient, secure, and compliant with corporate standards.

Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and Optimization

• Periodically review and enhance SOPs to incorporate lessons learned and emerging best practices.
• Identify and implement process improvements to optimize operations, enhancing both efficiency and accountability.

Capacity Building and Knowledge Sharing

• Provide technical training and guidance to WFP staff and cooperating partners.
• Promote the adoption of best practices and foster knowledge sharing to enhance the accuracy and efficiency of operations.

General Support

• Support with any other relevant tasks or duties as required, contributing to the overall success of WFP’s operations and the achievement of objectives.

To join us in saving lives, changing lives, you will have:

Skills

• Strong proficiency in MS Office Suite, especially Excel, with experience in data analytics and visualization.
• Familiar with financial systems and tools for payment management and reporting.
• Knowledge of assurance controls and data validation processes in payment systems.
• Excellent problem-solving skills, capable of maintaining attention to detail while working under pressure.
• Effective interpersonal skills to collaborate across teams and engage with diverse stakeholders.
• Strong time management and organizational abilities to handle competing priorities proactively.

Education

• Master’s degree in a related field (e.g., Finance, Business Administration, Information Technology) or a Bachelor’s degree with equivalent professional experience.

Experience

• At least three years of post-graduate professional experience in payment processing, financial operations, or a related field.

Languages

• Fluency in English and Ukrainian required

How do you apply

To be considered, you are invited to apply via WFP’s recruitment portal.

CV and cover letter must be submitted in English language.

Only those who are short-listed candidates will be contacted for the next steps of our recruitment process.

We also encourage you to create your candidate profile and set up WFP job alerts to learn more about all the opportunities available to join us and make a difference in the lives of the people we serve.