Director, Finance and Accounting Division

Position Title: Director, Finance and Accounting Division

Duty Station: Geneva, Switzerland

Classification: Professional Staff, Grade D1

Type of Appointment: Fixed term, one year with possibility of extension

Estimated Start Date: As soon as possible

Closing Date: 20 July 2022

Established in 1951, IOM is a Related Organization of the United Nations, and as the leading UN agency in the field of migration, works closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners. IOM is dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It does so by providing services and advice to governments and migrants.

IOM is committed to a diverse and inclusive work environment. Read more about diversity and inclusion at IOM at www.iom.int/diversity.

Applications are welcome from first- and second-tier candidates, particularly qualified female candidates as well as applications from the non-represented member countries of IOM. For all IOM vacancies, applications from qualified and eligible first-tier candidates are considered before those of qualified and eligible second-tier candidates in the selection process.

For the purpose of this vacancy, the following are considered first-tier candidates:

1. Internal candidates
2. External female candidates:
3. Candidate from the following non-represented member states:

Antigua and Barbuda; Aruba (Netherlands); Botswana; Cabo Verde; Comoros; Congo (the); Cook Islands; Cuba; Curaçao; Fiji; Grenada; Guinea-Bissau; Guyana; Holy See; Iceland; Kingdom of Eswatini; Kiribati; Lao People’s Democratic Republic (the); Latvia; Libya; Madagascar; Marshall Islands; Micronesia (Federated States of); Montenegro; Namibia; Nauru; Palau; Saint Kitts and Nevis; Saint Lucia; Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; Samoa; Sao Tome and Principe; Seychelles; Solomon Islands; Suriname; The Bahamas; Timor-Leste; Tonga; Tuvalu; Vanuatu

Second tier candidates include:

All external candidates, except candidates from non-represented member states of IOM and female candidates.

Context:

The Finance and Accounting Division (FAD) in the Department of Financial and Administrative Management (DFM) of IOM is responsible for monitoring, analysing and reporting on the financial position, financial performance, financial risks and financial compliance of the Organization and manages the related financial control framework and processes of IOM. The Division develops and regularly updates IOM’s financial management rules and procedures; provides financial advise and support services to management, field and regional offices; integrates the applicable financial principles to IOM’s non-financial policies; develops new financial and accounting approaches in response to emerging operational needs; and facilitates knowledge management, policy interpretations; change management and communication in the related areas. FAD also manages the global financial controlling and oversight framework of the Organization; prepares key financial statements and reports on the financial position and performance of the Organization in compliance with the International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS); ensures integrity of accounting data; controls the financial master data structures, data flows and financial processes within the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system; and liaises with external and internal auditors and other stakeholders on accounting and finance related issues and matters.

The Director, Finance and Accounting Division will be under the overall supervision of the Deputy Director General for Management and Reform and direct supervision of the Comptroller/Director, Department of Administrative and Financial Management (DFM).

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

1. Develop, implement and provide advice to the Comptroller/Director DFM and senior management on the formulation of financial management, accounting and financial reporting, procedures and methodology, consistent with IOM Financial Regulations and Rules, International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS), relevant UN standards, organizational guidelines and rules governing financial management at IOM.
2. Lead the development, update and implementation of IOM`s global financial management, accounting and financial reporting standards and policies in coordination with the other Divisions of DFM as applicable in compliance with IOM Financial Regulations, IPSAS and relevant Governing Bodies decisions.
3. Actively contribute and provide expert input to the Internal Governance Reform process of IOM. Provide financial insights and expertise supporting Internal Governance Framework (IGF) related initiatives including the Business Transformation project aimed at improving the quality of the Organization’s overall functioning by driving continuous improvement and ensuring that IOM meets the needs and expectations of Member States, donors, beneficiaries and other key stakeholders.
4. Direct the central financial control functions of IOM. Review periodically the Financial InternalControl Framework of IOM and initiate revisions as necessary.
5. Advise senior management, in close coordination with the Comptroller, on overall financial operations and the status of IOM`s accounts.
6. Inform the relevant IOM stakeholders about financial and compliance risks and potential/presumptive financial fraud detected by the Division and advise on corrective actions and improvements of systems of internal controls.
7. Oversee the preparation of statutory and management financial information, for IOM`sGoverning bodies and for certification by the External Auditors, in compliance with IPSAS and all applicable financial regulations, rules and procedures.
8. Act as IOM`s main financial focal point for UN Reform and towards UN coordination bodies. Facilitate and monitor the implementation of related decisions and follow-up actions to meet the requirements.
9. Coordinate the preparation and submission of IOM`s consolidated financial data within the central UN system-wide financial reporting processes.
10. Establish, direct and monitor IOMs project financial administration, reporting and certification systems, workflows and controls; enable and oversee IOMs financial reporting to Donors and other external stakeholders on the utilization of funds.
11. Ensure availability of coherent financial information/reports across the Organization for external stakeholders such as the IOM Member States, the UN-system and donors. Respond to formal and ad-hoc requests for information and analysis relating to IOM financial management and results.
12. Oversee the financial data and its structures, ensure integrity, adequate level of transparency and accountability related to the governance and control framework of financial data in IOM systems.
13. Develop innovative solutions to analyse, monitor, and evaluate financial results using modern financial techniques. Facilitate Results Based Reporting and design and implement enhanced financial data analytic tools for decision making at all levels of the Organization in coordination with the other units of DRM.
14. Lead the business process re-engineering efforts under the areas of responsibility with the aim to standardize, improve efficiency, and automate. Facilitate that financial principles and considerations are embedded and considered in similar efforts by other organizational units.
15. Serve as the chair of the Co-funding Group and ensure appropriate control is exercised over the related financial risks.
16. Represent the Organization in inter-agency and other external fora relating to financial management and accounting matters.
17. Perform other related duties as required.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Education

• Master’s degree in Business Administration, Finance, Accounting or related field from an accredited academic institution with fifteen years of relevant professional experience.
• Professional accounting certification by an internationally recognized professional accountancy body is required.

Experience

• A minimum of fifteen years of progressively evolving leadership experience in financial management with responsibilities for accounting, financial reporting and financial analysis;
• Hands on experience in implementing and/or improving computerized accounting/ERP systems. Experience with process automation is desired;
• High level of computer literacy, in particular advance experience in the use of the ERP and other financial systems;
• Experience with internal control framework designs and implementation, assessments, financial risk management and audit;
• Extensive professional knowledge of financial accounting as applied to international public organizations with experience with International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) and/or International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS);
• Experience in liaising and negotiating with donors and member state representatives. Ability to effectively present complex information to varying audience, including management, donors and other external parties.

Skills

• Knowledge of IOM and/or UN financial regulations, policies, procedures and practices is desired;
• Successful track record in remotely managing teams and functions, including highly decentralized financial and accounting practices;
• Demonstrated ability to innovate and manage transitions.

Languages

IOM’s official languages are English, French, and Spanish.

External applicants for all positions in the Professional category are required to be proficient in English and have at least a working knowledge of one additional UN Language (French, Spanish, Arabic, Russian or Chinese).

For all applicants, fluency in English is required (oral and written). Working knowledge of French and/or Spanish is an advantage.

Proficiency of language(s) required will be specifically evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments.

Notes

Accredited Universities are the ones listed in the UNESCO World Higher Education Database (https://whed.net/home.php).

Required Competencies:

Values – all IOM staff members must abide by and demonstrate these three values:

• Inclusion and respect for diversity: respects and promotes individual and cultural differences; encourages diversity and inclusion wherever possible.
• Integrity and transparency: maintains high ethical standards and acts in a manner consistent with organizational principles/rules and standards of conduct.
• Professionalism: demonstrates ability to work in a composed, competent and committed manner and exercises careful judgment in meeting day-to-day challenges.

Core Competencies – behavioural indicators level 3

• Teamwork: develops and promotes effective collaboration within and across units to achieve shared goals and optimize results.
• Delivering results: produces and delivers quality results in a service-oriented and timely manner; is action oriented and committed to achieving agreed outcomes.
• Managing and sharing knowledge: continuously seeks to learn, share knowledge and innovate.
• Accountability: takes ownership for achieving the Organization’s priorities and assumes responsibility for own action and delegated work.
• Communication: encourages and contributes to clear and open communication; explains complex matters in an informative, inspiring and motivational way.

Managerial Competencies – behavioural indicators level 3

• Leadership: provides a clear sense of direction, leads by example and demonstrates the ability to carry out the organization’s vision; assists others to realize and develop their potential.
• Empowering others & building trust: creates an atmosphere of trust and an enabling environment where staff can contribute their best and develop their potential.
• Strategic thinking and vision: works strategically to realize the Organization’s goals and communicates a clear strategic direction.

IOM’s competency framework can be found at this link.

https://www.iom.int/sites/default/files/about-iom/iom_revised_competency_framework_external.pdf

Competencies will be assessed during a competency-based interview.

Other:

Internationally recruited professional staff are required to be mobile.

Any offer made to the candidate in relation to this vacancy notice is subject to funding confirmation.

This selection process may be used to staff similar positions in various duty stations. Recommended candidates endorsed by the Appointments and Postings Board will remain eligible to be appointed in a similar position for a period of 24 months.

The list of NMS countries above includes all IOM Member States which are non-represented in the Professional Category of staff members.

Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances. Subject to certain exemptions, vaccination against COVID-19 will in principle be required for individuals hired on or after 15 November 2021. This will be verified as part of the medical clearance process.

Vacancies close at 23:59 local time Geneva, Switzerland on the respective closing date. No late applications will be accepted