The World Food Programme (WFP) is inviting applications for the position of Finance Assistant SC5 in Colombo, Sri Lanka. This is a full-time Service Contract opportunity for Sri Lankan nationals with relevant finance, accounting, budgeting, and financial data experience.
The WFP Finance Assistant SC5 recruitment 2026 is an opportunity to work with the United Nations World Food Programme and contribute to financial operations supporting humanitarian and disaster-response activities in Sri Lanka.
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Application Deadline: 4 September 2026
WFP Finance Assistant SC5 Recruitment 2026 – Quick Details
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Organization | World Food Programme (WFP) |
| Position | Finance Assistant SC5 |
| Job Reference | JR126143 |
| Contract Type | Service Contract |
| Duty Station | Colombo, Sri Lanka |
| Job Type | Full-time |
| Nationality | Nationals Only |
| Publication Date | 21 August 2026 |
| Application Deadline | 4 September 2026 |
| Required Education | Secondary school education |
| Post-secondary qualification | Desirable in a related functional area |
| Language | Fluency in English; additional language requirements may apply |
About the WFP Finance Assistant SC5 Job
The WFP Finance Assistant SC5 will support finance and budget-related processes and activities in WFP Sri Lanka. The successful candidate will work under the supervision of the Head of Finance and provide financial and administrative support to WFP activities.
The position requires strong finance skills, analytical ability, attention to detail, and experience working with financial and accounting matters involving stakeholders such as government institutions, agencies, NGOs, private-sector organizations, communities, and beneficiaries.
At the SC5 level, the Finance Assistant is expected to take responsibility for a range of finance and budget processes while applying established WFP financial policies, rules, procedures, and guidelines.
WFP Finance Assistant SC5 Job Purpose
Sri Lanka is vulnerable to cyclones, floods, landslides, and droughts. WFP is implementing a USD 7.5 million programme designed to support approximately 87,000 people, or 21,750 households, through activities including cash transfers for irrigation rehabilitation, anticipatory cash assistance, pre-positioning of essential non-food items, and strengthened disaster preparedness.
The Finance Assistant SC5 will provide financial support for these activities and help ensure that expenditures, payments, financial transactions, reporting, and related processes are handled accurately and in accordance with WFP requirements.
WFP Finance Assistant SC5 Responsibilities
The main Finance Assistant SC5 responsibilities include:
- Providing procedural and technical support to staff on finance and budget matters.
- Helping ensure compliance with WFP financial policies, rules, and regulations.
- Monitoring monthly expenditure forecasts.
- Preparing expenditure reports to support informed decision-making.
- Processing and reviewing payments, receipts, journal entries, and other financial transactions.
- Supporting cash-based transfer processes and liaising with financial service providers.
- Preparing payment instruction letters for financial service providers.
- Receiving and processing financial service provider invoices.
- Supporting first-level reconciliation of payments made to beneficiaries.
- Supporting the processing of late payment returns.
- Working closely with the Cash-Based Transfer team.
- Verifying vendor claims, advances, and other receivables.
- Ensuring appropriate procurement procedures are followed.
- Supporting the timely payment of suppliers.
- Compiling information for budget, accounting, finance, and statistical reports.
- Retrieving, formatting, and validating information from financial information systems.
- Identifying discrepancies and inaccuracies and following up on corrective actions.
- Supporting monitoring and recording of fixed assets.
- Recording expenditure on fuel and vehicle and generator spare parts.
- Monitoring expenses against approved budgets.
- Ensuring expenditure costs are correctly charged.
- Supporting the timely processing of payments to external suppliers, cash grants, and other vendors.
WFP Finance Assistant SC5 Qualifications
Applicants interested in the WFP Finance Assistant SC5 vacancy should meet the stated minimum qualifications.
Education
Applicants must have:
- Completion of secondary school education.
A post-secondary certificate in a related functional area is desirable.
Relevant areas may include finance, accounting, business administration, economics, or related fields, where applicable.
Language Requirements
The vacancy requires:
- Fluency in English at Level C.
- Fluency at Level C or intermediate knowledge at Level B of another official language may be required depending on the location and responsibilities.
- For General Service field positions, applicants may need fluency in both oral and written communication in the UN language used at the duty station and in the local duty-station language where different.
WFP Finance Assistant SC5 Experience Requirements
The advertised WFP Finance Assistant SC5 job seeks candidates with experience collecting and monitoring financial data for projects and programmes.
The desired experience includes the ability to:
- Monitor financial data.
- Assess the financial health and status of projects or programmes.
- Analyse financial information.
- Report financial findings to senior leaders.
- Work with financial and accounting processes.
- Support financial transactions and reconciliations.
Experience involving government bodies, NGOs, private-sector organizations, communities, beneficiaries, or other relevant stakeholders can be particularly useful for this role.
Who Can Apply for the WFP Finance Assistant SC5 Position?
The vacancy specifies:
Nationality: Nationals Only
Therefore, the WFP Finance Assistant SC5 vacancy in Colombo is intended for eligible Sri Lankan nationals.
Applicants should carefully review the official WFP vacancy announcement and ensure that they meet all eligibility, education, language, and experience requirements before submitting an application.
Why Work for WFP?
The World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization and works to save lives during emergencies while using food assistance to help build pathways toward peace, stability, and prosperity.
WFP states that it provides a diverse, inclusive, and multicultural working environment. The organization also supports professional development through training, accreditation, coaching, mentorship, and opportunities for internal mobility.
WFP’s stated values include:
- Integrity
- Collaboration
- Commitment
- Humanity
- Inclusion
WFP was awarded the 2020 Nobel Peace Prize.
WFP Finance Assistant SC5 Application Requirements
At the application stage, candidates are required to submit:
- CV
- Cover Letter
Additional documents, including passports, certificates, or recommendation letters, may be requested later during the recruitment process.
WFP recommends that applicants ensure their Workday profile is accurate and complete, including employment history, academic qualifications, language skills, and UN grade information where applicable.
How to Apply for WFP Finance Assistant SC5
Applications for the WFP Finance Assistant SC5 2026 position must be submitted online through the official WFP recruitment system.
WFP does not consider CVs or applications submitted by email, LinkedIn, or other channels.
Candidates should:
- Review the official vacancy announcement.
- Confirm that they meet the eligibility requirements.
- Prepare an updated CV.
- Prepare a suitable cover letter.
- Complete their WFP Workday profile.
- Submit the online application before the deadline.
- Keep a record of their application details for future reference.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for the next stage of the recruitment process.
WFP Finance Assistant SC5 Application Deadline
The deadline for the WFP Finance Assistant SC5 application is 4 September 2026 at 23:59 India Standard Time (GMT+05:30), Colombo.
Date of Publication: 21 August 2026
Application Deadline: 4 September 2026
Duty Station: Colombo, Sri Lanka
Applicants are strongly encouraged to apply before the deadline rather than waiting until the final day.
Important WFP Recruitment Warning
WFP states that the United Nations does not charge any application, processing, training, interview, testing, or recruitment fee.
Applicants should be cautious of fraudulent job offers requesting money, banking information, or unnecessary personal information.
The safest way to apply for the WFP Finance Assistant SC5 job is through the official WFP recruitment platform.
Reasonable Accommodation
WFP is committed to supporting applicants with disabilities and providing reasonable accommodations throughout the recruitment process.
Candidates who require reasonable accommodation can contact WFP through the contact information provided in the official vacancy announcement.
Important Reminder for WFP Applicants
The WFP recruitment process is conducted through its online recruiting system. Candidates should make sure that their profile and application information is complete and accurate.
The recruitment process may include reference and background checks for selected candidates.
Applicants should also be aware that WFP has introduced a new recruitment platform. Candidates who previously had an account on the former platform may need to create a new account for future applications.
Frequently Asked Questions – WFP Finance Assistant SC5
What is the WFP Finance Assistant SC5 position?
The WFP Finance Assistant SC5 is a finance and budget support position based in Colombo, Sri Lanka, under a Service Contract.
Where is the WFP Finance Assistant SC5 job located?
The duty station is Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Who can apply for the WFP Finance Assistant SC5 vacancy?
The vacancy specifies nationals only, meaning eligible Sri Lankan nationals can apply.
What education is required for the WFP Finance Assistant SC5 job?
The minimum requirement is completion of secondary school education. A post-secondary certificate in a related functional area is desirable.
What is the WFP Finance Assistant SC5 application deadline?
The application deadline is 4 September 2026 at 23:59 GMT+05:30 (Colombo time).
What documents are required?
At the application stage, candidates need a CV and Cover Letter. Additional documentation may be requested later.
How do I apply for the WFP Finance Assistant SC5 vacancy?
Applications must be submitted through the official WFP online recruitment system. Applications sent by email or other channels are not considered.
Final Thoughts
The WFP Finance Assistant SC5 recruitment 2026 offers qualified finance professionals an opportunity to contribute to the financial management of humanitarian and disaster-resilience programmes in Sri Lanka.
Candidates with relevant financial data, accounting, budgeting, reporting, transaction-processing, and stakeholder-engagement experience should review the requirements carefully and submit their application before the 4 September 2026 deadline.
Official Application Link
Apply for WFP Finance Assistant SC5:
Official WFP Finance Assistant SC5 Application – JR126143
Official WFP Careers Website:
WFP Careers
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