Finance Analyst – Investment Management, IFAD

DURATION OF ASSIGNMENT

2 years fixed-term (renewable)

I. ORGANISATIONAL CONTEXT

The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) is an international financial institution and a specialized United Nations agency dedicated to eradicating poverty and hunger in rural areas in developing countries. It does so by financing projects and programmes that increase agricultural productivity and raise rural incomes, and by advocating at the local, national and international level for policies that enable poor rural people to overcome poverty.

II. DIVISIONAL CONTEXT

The Financial Operations Department (FOD) is tasked with managing IFAD’s financial resources proactively and making them available as needed for the Fund’s  programme of work and budget.

As one of the component divisions of FOD, the Treasury Services Division (TRE) is responsible for the Fund’s overall asset and liability management, including daily cash flow operations, longer-term resource projections and planning, investment and liquidity policy formulation and implementation, currency alignment and financial risk management. TRE is headed by a Director, who is also the Treasurer of IFAD.

Position Title of Immediate Supervisor:  Senior Treasury Officer Investment Management

III. POST’S ORGANISATIONAL ACCOUNTABILITY

Under the direct supervision of the Senior Treasury Officer  Investment Management (IM), and the overall guidance and supervision of the Assistant Treasurer/Treasurer the incumbent shall:

1. Participate in the development and implementation of a coordinated work plan for the Investment Management team with practical advice and support
2. Provide sound technical analysis and support to Treasury staff across all functional teams ensuring that timely responses are provided to internal and external parties

IV. KEY RESULTS EXPECTED/MAJOR FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITIES

1. Support analysis of securities and liquidity requirements for internally managed investment portfolios.
2. Support in-house trading activities both pre-trade and post-trade.
3. Reconcile internally managed investment portfolios against the Custodian bank and prepare monthly sign-off documentation.
4. Draft monthly reports on internally and externally managed portfolios and prepare securities analysis required by monthly and yearly internal control.
5. Participate in the implementation and maintenance of IT solutions for internally managed investment portfolios.
6. Collect and analyse economic and financial data, by proficiently using financial information systems and applications (Bloomberg, Moody’s etc), in support of Treasury’s regular and ad-hoc internal research activities.
7. Monitor daily developments in the financial markets relative to their impact on IFAD’s investments.
8. Prepare analyses and draft documentation for IFAD’s finance committees (FALCO/FISCO) and other governing bodies as required.
9. Participate in review meetings and/or conference calls with external investment managers, the Custodian bank and other financial service providers.

V. IMPACT OF KEY RESULTS/KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

Financial Analysts analyse unusual transactions and recommends actions to be taken and/or exceptions to be made in the application of financial regulations, rules and procedures. Financial Analysts (Treasury) in charge of investment management operations implement investment transactions with an impact on the Fund’s investment income, through the quality of trade recommendations and trade execution, and on the financial and operational risks through adherence to internal controls and procedures.

Finance Analyst positions have access to advice and on-the-job training from specialists in the individual finance occupations in the resolution of on-going non-routine work.

VI. REPRESENTATION / WORK RELATIONSHIPS

Finance Analyst may represent the unit to which assigned on related matters at internal meetings and conferences as requested by the supervisor.

Internally Finance Specialists are required to explain, clarify and implement financial plans and decisions taken or procedural changes planned to ensure accuracy, completeness and integrity of financial data and reporting. Contacts are with finance, budget, loans and grants, treasury, audit and programme management staff in country offices and Headquarters. At this level, Finance Analyst will have external work relationships under supervision. They may also be delegated the authority to make commitments on routine aspects of the assignment.

VII. COMPETENCIES

Organizational

• Strategic thinking and organizational development: Personal influence
• Demonstrating Leadership: Personal leadership and attitude to change
• Learning, sharing knowledge and innovating: Continuously seeks to learn, shares knowledge and innovates
• Focusing on clients: Focuses on clients
• Problem solving and decision making: Demonstrates sound problem solving and decision making ability
• Managing time, resources and information: Manages own time, information and resources effectively
• Team Work: Contributes effectively to the team
• Communicating and negotiating: Communicates effectively: creates understanding between self and others
• Building relationships and partnerships: Builds and maintains effective working relationships

 Technical/ Functional

• Theoretical knowledge and understanding of investment and treasury activities.
• Analytical skills, with capabilities of researching and analysing multiple short and long-term scenarios through advanced use of financial information systems and discretionary spread sheet solutions.
• Accuracy, numeracy, attention to detail and thoroughness.
• Ability to accomplish work objectives within assigned time targets and to a high standard.
• Results-oriented with excellent organizational abilities and attention to detail;
• Effective networker, obtaining and sharing relevant information in-house and with different types of financial service providers

VIII. MINIMUM RECRUITMENT QUALIFICATIONS

Education/ Experience

• Master’s level degree in business, economics, finance, accounting or related field with knowledge of investment analysis and treasury management.
• Minimum 1 year of relevant professional experience in investment analysis and/or treasury management is desirable.
• In lieu of a master’s level degree, a bachelor’s degree in business, economics, finance, accounting or related field with at least 4 years of relevant professional experience in investment analysis and/or treasury management.

Languages and other skills:

• Full command of the English language, with excellent verbal and written communication skills. Knowledge of another IFAD official language would be an asset.
• Proven high level expertise in Microsoft Office Suite especially Excel and/or  financial information provider platforms (e.g. Bloomberg). Knowledge of and risk management systems would be an asset.

IX. OTHER INFORMATION

Applicants should note that IFAD staff members are international civil servants subject to the authority of the President of IFAD, and they may be assigned by him/her to any of the activities of IFAD, including field assignments and/or rotation within IFAD.

Interested candidates are requested to apply by completing IFAD’s Personal History Form (PHF) in English. A separate CV may be attached if you so desire, only as a supplement and NOT a substitute to the PHF. The application should be made through the online system only. PLEASE READ CAREFULLY the instructions in ‘How to Apply’ before you start.

In the interest of making most cost effective use of funds and resources, we are only able to respond to applicants who are short-listed for interview. Candidates who do not receive any feedback within three months should consider their application unsuccessful.

Candidates may be required to take a written test and to deliver a presentation as well as participate in interviews.

Location: Rome, Italy

Application deadline: 9 March 2015

Read more and apply here.