Regional Finance and Budget Officer

Position Title: Regional Finance and Budget Officer

Duty Station: Bangkok, Thailand

Classification: Professional Staff, Grade P4

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

Estimated Start Date: As soon as possible

Closing Date: 28 February 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.

Context:

The Regional Office (RO) oversees and provides strategic and technical support to IOM activities within the Region. Within the RO structure, the Regional Resources Management Unit (RRMU) provides support to all IOM Country Offices (CO) within the Region on budgeting, accounting, human resources, procurement and other administrative functions.

Under the overall supervision of the Regional Director (RD), and the direct supervision of the

Senior Regional Resources Management Officer (SRRMO), the Regional Finance and Budget Officer will be accountable and responsible for monitoring and supporting the financial functions of the Country Offices (COs) within the Region.

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

1. Provide first‐line support and guidance to COs within the Region on IOM’s policies and procedures relating to budget, finance, accounting, and treasury, with the view to increasing their effectiveness while considering the specific regional and local context.
2. Facilitate compliance of the COs in the Region with the applicable IOM rules and regulations in the area of general administration and finance.
3. Monitor and guide the financial management related practices and control processes of IOMCOs in the Region including those relevant to the oversight of financial expenditure and accountability. Highlight any anomalies, non-compliance or unusual practices to the SRRMO, propose adequate measures to address those and support their implementation.
4. Review and assess budgets contained in proposals as part of the project development and endorsement process to ensure adequate coverage of all costs.
5. Monitor and analyze the overall budgets and financial situation of COs in the Region. Work closely with CoMs and S/RMOs to prepare annual budget submission, to enable early detection of changes in financial trends, analyze variances between budget and actual expenditure with a view of timely corrective action. Propose budget control process improvements as relevant.
6. Facilitate the timely and accurate recording of financial transactions by the COs in the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system of IOM, with high attention to using appropriate project, Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) and General Ledger (GL) account information.
7. Advise and support the COs in the preparation of donor financial reports in accordance with IOM’s regulations and established procedures and support the COs in the orderly conduct of project audits/verifications.
8. Guide the COs on the monitoring and implementation of internal controls to prevent fraud and mismanagement and undertake visits to the COs under the responsibility of the RO and check the application of the internal controls. Provide support to COs to regularly review their procedures and workflows to ensure efficiency and compliance.
9. Provide first-line support, guidance, and training to the resources management and/or other staff in the Region regarding ERP system and other institutional technological solutions relevant to the area of expertise.
10. Monitor and oversee the financial management activities of the RO including oversight of financial expenditure, accountability, and projectization of staff.
11. Guide the COs on the preparation for internal and external audits. In close coordination with the Project Managers, support IOM’s preparedness and responsiveness to the verifications of regional managed projects.
12. Carry out verification visits to the COs and review, validate and report on the findings, and provide recommendations on how to address the shortcomings. Share the report with relevant colleagues in RO and when necessary, with relevant Units in Headquarters (HQ).
13. Guide the COs on the implementation of Compliance Control Self-Assessment Tool, development of Risk Register Matrix, and other risks assessment and management related tools and ensure the COs comply with them.
14. Guide and support the COs on the financial aspects of United Nations (UN) engagement, financial reporting the United Nations Country Team (UNCT) and the implementation of the UN Efficiency Agenda. This will include, but not limited to, such as UN agreements, joint programs, UN coordination levy, Business Operation System (BOS) and other areas related to the Efficiency Agenda.
15. Support and guide other Units (programs and offices) on matters related to IOM financial rules and regulations with a view to increasing their effectiveness.
16. Act as Officer-in-Charge (OiC) for the SRRMO during the SRRMO’s absence.
17. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Education

• Master’s degree, preferably in Finance, Accounting, Public Administration, Business Administration or a related field from an accredited academic institution with seven years of relevant experience; or,
• University degree in the above fields with nine years of relevant professional experience.
• Professional certificate as Chartered Accountant, or equivalent is an advantage.

Experience

• Minimum of five years of progressively evolving experience in financial management with responsibilities for accounting, financial reporting, budgeting, treasury and financial analysis;
• Experience and an active role in donor financial reporting, audits, accounting controls and risks management is required. Experience at field office level is desired;
• Proven experience in effectively managing a team;
• Experience in using corporate ERP system (including SAP and/or Oracle); and,
• Experience with internal control assessments and financial risks management.

Skills

• Knowledge of IOM’s and/or the UN regulations, policies and procedures, coupled with experience with International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) and/or International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS);
• High level of computer literacy with proven ability to conceptualize business requirements for technological improvements related to the area of finance;
• Advanced analytical and financial reporting skills;
• Clear capability to lead, motivate, manage and mentor team members including the capability to build a high performing, accountable and inclusive team; and,
• Knowledge of the Region is an advantage.

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 (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish).

For all applicants, fluency in English is required (oral and written). Working knowledge of either French 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, makes people feel safe, respected and fairly treated.

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 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 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 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.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. For this staff category, candidates who are nationals of the duty station’s country and who do not have prior experience outside the duty station’s country as staff member in the Professional category cannot be considered eligible.

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.