Finance Officer

Position Title: Finance Officer

Job Code: VN 2023 506

Duty Station: Geneva, Switzerland

Classification: Professional Staff, Grade P3

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

Estimated Start Date: As soon as possible

Closing Date: 13 December 2023

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. Candidates from the following non-represented member states:

Antigua and Barbuda; Barbados; Botswana; Cabo Verde; Comoros; Congo

(the); Cook Islands; Dominica; Fiji; Grenada; Guinea-Bissau; Holy See;

Iceland; Kiribati; Lao People’s Democratic Republic (the); Madagascar;

Marshall Islands; Micronesia (Federated States of); Namibia; Nauru;

Palau; Saint Kitts and Nevis; Saint Lucia; Solomon Islands; Suriname; The Bahamas; Tonga; Tuvalu; Uzbekistan; Vanuatu

Second-tier candidates include:

All external candidates, except candidates from non-represented member states.

Context:

The Finance and Accounting Division (FAD) within the Department of Financial and Administrative Management (DFM) of IOM is responsible for overseeing, 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 also serves as the global financial liaison for the United Nations (UN), representing IOM in UN forums and collaborating with UN entities on UN system-wide financial guidelines and shared interests. Additionally, FAD is responsible for preparing institutional and essential financial statements and reports, including the annual financial results presented in accordance with the Data Standards for United Nations (UN) System-wide Financial Reporting.

Under the overall supervision of the Director of FAD and direct supervision of the Senior Finance Officer, the Finance Officer will contribute to the coordination, guidance, monitoring, advice on, and support to the financial functions with a particular focus on UN reform and UN engagement. The incumbent will participate in the development and dissemination of financial guidelines that align with UN system-wide principles; responding to requests requiring policy interpretation and practical implementation; and preparing financial reports and statistics that address UN reporting requirements and contribute to various surveys within the UN framework.

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

1. Contribute to negotiating standard financial conditions with UN partners and provide advice on the interpretation of related IOM financial policies.
2. Review financial conditions related to contracts/agreements with special attention toUN-related agreements and provide guidance to IOM staff in line with internal policies, instructions, regulations, and rules.
3. Provide guidance and assistance on the interpretation and application of UN system-wide policies, procedures, guidelines, and reporting requirements to HQ Organizational Units, Country Offices, Regional Offices, and decentralized units.
4. Coordinate the preparation of and review IOM’s consolidated financial data within the central UN system-wide financial reporting processes, to the UN Secretariat and other central mechanisms.
5. Contribute to knowledge sharing of UN system-wide and UNSDG guidelines including UNReform to accelerate IOM’s compliance and active implementation of the financial and administrative aspects of the UN Reform.
6. Prepare analytic reports, internal guidelines, briefing notes, and updates for effective information sharing on UN-related financial subject matters.
7. Prepare training packages, information bites, and updates on UN reform including BusinessOperations Strategy (BOS), Common Back Office, Common Premises, and Efficiency Reporting for IOM staff.
8. Support IOM Offices in their BOS annual review and contribute to the HQ validation exercise.
9. Develop and disseminate financial guidelines that align with UN system-wide principles, responding to inquiries necessitating policy interpretation and practical implementation in collaboration with the UN.
10. Develop and maintain a knowledge-sharing repository for financial policies, UN guidelines, and UN Reform-related financial matters within FAD and for use by all IOM staff. Encourage the exchange of best practices, lessons learned, and relevant resources to enhance decision-making and resource management efficiency.
11. Provide and plan activities for the rollout of new guidelines, processes, or systems impacting UNpartnerships; while ensuring compliance with IOM’s financial policies and procedures.
12. Make proposals for the continuous improvement of financial monitoring, control, and reporting mechanisms, including the streamlining of financial systems and procedures.
13. In coordination with relevant organizational units and colleagues, identify and provide training on financial matters, and recommend or develop training modules as necessary, aiming at the development of financial management skills.
14. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Education

• Master’s degree in Business Administration, Finance, Management, Economics, Accounting,Audit, or a related field from an accredited academic institution with five years of relevant professional experience; or,
• University degree in the above fields with seven years of relevant professional experience;• Professional certification as Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), compliance, or in financial management is an advantage.

Experience

• Experience in financial management and contributing to policy/guidelines design;• Experience in preparing clear and concise financial management reports;
• Experience in contractual negotiations is a distinct advantage.

Skills

• Strong negotiation and communication skills, ability to present information in a comprehensive,clear, and concise manner both in writing and verbally;
• Strong financial analysis skills;
• Demonstrated ability to conduct analysis, excellent writing skills, accompanied with ability to edit a range of different materials, including but not limited to financial policies, instructions, guidelines, and reports for different audiences;
• Ability to provide training while adapting the material and catering to different audiences;
• Knowledge of IOM/UN financial policies, systems and procedures;
• Knowledge of UN reform and common System regulations, policies, and procedures is a distinct advantage.

Languages

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

For this position, 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 five values:

• Inclusion and respect for diversity: Respects and promotes individual and cultural differences. Encourages diversity and inclusion.
• 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.
• Courage: Demonstrates willingness to take a stand on issues of importance.
• Empathy: Shows compassion for others, and makes people feel safe, respected, and fairly treated.

Core Competencies – behavioural indicators level 2

• 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 actions 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 2

• 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 leadership and professional potential.
• Empowering others: Creates an enabling environment where staff can contribute their best and develop their potential.
• Building Trust: Promotes shared values and creates an atmosphere of trust and honesty.
• Strategic thinking and vision: Works strategically to realize the Organization’s goals and communicates a clear strategic direction.
• Humility: Leads with humility and shows openness to acknowledging own shortcomings.

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

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

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 background verification 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 in Geneva, Switzerland on the respective closing date. No late applications will be accepted.