Financial Management Specialist

The Financial Management Specialist will support fiduciary assurance for World Bank-financed operations in Sierra Leone, develop technical assistance programs to strengthen public financial management, and support fiduciary improvements. The role involves providing expertise to projects and programs aimed at economic development and improving public financial management in Sierra Leone.

Responsibilities

• Support the team of Financial Management Specialists ensuring compliance of World Bank-financed operations in Sierra Leone with World Bank FM policies and procedures.
• Provide inputs to the ADM FMS for operations throughout the project/program cycle in design and implementation of FM systems and processes for Bank-financed projects and programs.
• Understand the public financial management system in Sierra Leone and support the development of the pipeline of Program for Results operations by preparing inputs to Fiduciary Systems Assessments and design to limit fiduciary risks.
• Provide inputs to public sector and economist teams in defining PFM reform priorities and implementation support.
• Operationalize the reform agenda through analytical work, technical assistance, and supervision activities under IPF, PforR and DPO projects.
• Work as a core member of project teams liaising with Task-Team Leaders, other team members, and government counterparts.
• Provide advice consistent with OPCS FM policies, monitor resolution of exceptions, and implement capacity-building plans.
• Contribute to governance assessments and strategic discussions on financial management and governance risks.
• Generate and exchange knowledge relating to PFM issues and support regional MPA for Public Resource Management.
• Conduct assessments of PFM country systems and provide inputs to PforR operations and Program Action Plans.
• Provide inputs for financial management capacity assessments of prospective implementing entities of new IPF operations.
• Contribute to financial management assessments for DPOs and participate in preparation, appraisal, and negotiation missions.
• Prepare contributions to Project/Program Concept Notes and Appraisal Documents.
• Review implementation of project/program internal controls and financial reporting systems, providing guidance on compliance.
• Communicate and collaborate with project/program teams, government counterparts, and stakeholders to ensure effective FM and accountability.
• Monitor and report on financial performance of projects and programs to assess compliance and FM risks.
• Contribute plans to mitigate risks and monitor residual risks.
• Provide ongoing technical support to clients in governance-led operations and participate in implementation support missions.
• Provide day-to-day implementation support on PFM systems for projects relying on country systems.
• Support governance-led public sector reform activities including PFM and tax administration reforms and SOE reform.

Requirements

• Master's degree in economics, PFM, Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field.
• At least 5 years of relevant experience in public financial management of recipient-executed operations in the World Bank, other international development organizations, or governments; or as an accountant or auditor in the private sector or public administration.
• Strong knowledge of accounting principles, practices, and standards.
• Experience with public financial management systems and IFMIS software in Sierra Leone.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Experience working in fragile, conflict-affected, or low-capacity environments, with demonstrated ability to adapt technical PFM approaches to constrained institutional settings.
• Ability to work effectively in a multicultural and multidisciplinary team environment.
• Fluency in English.
• Preferred: Professional accounting qualification (e.g., CPA, ACCA) – membership in a recognized professional accountancy organization which has a status of full IFAC membership; and/or commitment to attain the qualification.

Skills

• Public Financial Management
• Accounting Principles
• Financial Reporting
• Auditing
• IFMIS Software
• Financial Analysis
• Fiduciary Assurance
• Technical Assistance
• Economic Development Finance
• Budget Management
• Financial Compliance
• Professional Accountancy Qualification
• Adaptation of PFM Approaches
• Working in Fragile Environments
• Multidisciplinary Team Collaboration

Languages

English