Head, Financial and Administrative Compliance Unit

Position Title: Head, Financial and Administrative Compliance Unit

Duty Station: Geneva, Switzerland

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 April 2024

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; 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; Sao Tome and Principe; Solomon Islands; Suriname; The Bahamas; Tonga; Tuvalu; Uzbekistan; Vanuatu

Second tier candidates include:

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

Context:

Under the overall supervision of the Deputy Director General for Management and Reform and direct supervision and guidance of the Comptroller/Director of the Department of Financial and Administrative Management (DFM), and in close coordination with Divisions in DFM and other Headquarters (HQs) Departments, the Administrative Centres in Manila and Panama and all Country Offices (CO); the Head, Financial and Administrative Compliance Unit will be responsible and accountable for supporting the correct application of organizational policies to all organizational processes related to finance and administration.

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

1. Provide functional guidance to Headquarters and field staff on all aspects of financial control and management and cross-cutting issues in the field of Finance and Administration.
2. Coordinate with other Divisions within DFM and across IOM the implementation of financial or administrative policy changes to ensure such changes are well understood and supported by corresponding systems and resources.
3. Coordinate the implementation of a knowledge management system to support the function and facilitate user access to such information. Maintain the policy section of the intranet pages and coordinate with other Departments at HQ any necessary updates.
4. Act as DFM focal point on issues relating to knowledge management, HQ donor reviews and dissemination of policy guidance.
5. Establish a Donor Review Database to track reviews, findings, and recommendations, coordinate and ensure implementation of recommendations, especially on risk and internal control issues and items requiring action from DFM.
6. Undertake research and analysis on existing systems and best practice related to accounting, financial and administrative management to inform decisions and support recommendations.
7. Ensure the appropriate application of financial and administrative policies, processes and procedures at the organizational level, ensuring that these coherently address IOM’s operational requirements and implementing environment while incorporating appropriate internal controls and meeting cross cutting administrative requirements.
8. Review existing systems and adherence to financial regulatory framework and propose amendments to processes related to financial and administrative management, procedures and implementation.
9. Support IOM offices under donors’ review by providing quality guidance during the review process, if needed, to ensure consistency and accuracy. Escalate to the IOM Comptroller important and high-risk level donor’s review that would require a direct HQ intervention.
10. Coordinate and ensure consistency for policy documents relating to financial and administrative management areas originating from various divisions within DFM or from other Departments across IOM.
11. Support the implementation of changes in policy, procedures and implementation guides to be aligned with and implemented in the IOM Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system and other platforms in use in IOM.
12. Suggest possible approaches for addressing audit observations with impact on accounting and financial management policies and procedures through corresponding modifications in the policy framework or in the system of internal controls.
13. Support Business Transformation initiatives.
14. Drafts reports for management on priority issues, and recommended courses of actions related to financial resources.
15. Support in compiling responses to requests addressed to the Comptroller requiring policy interpretation or development of processes and procedures to address changing financial and administrative requirements. Coordinate and issue on the Comptroller’s behalf, and after clearance, concepts, interpretations and recommendations on policy, financial and accounting control and management, as well as internal controls.
16. Perform other duties as may be assigned.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Education

• Master’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, Management or a related field from an accredited academic institution with seven years of relevant professional experience; or,
• University degree in the above fields with nine years of relevant professional experience.
• Professional certification as Chartered Accountant (CA) or Certified Public Accountant (CPA),Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), or Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) is an advantage.

Experience

• Experience in all areas of financial administration including financial management, accounting and budgeting;
• Demonstrated experience in formulation of financial and accounting policies and procedures at a corporate level.
• Good knowledge of the IOM or UN finance systems, IOM or UN Financial Regulations and Rules, International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS), together with relevant accounting experience.
• Experience in human resources and Supply Chain;
• Experience using an ERP system,
• Experience in emergency operations an advantage; and,
• Experience in monitoring and evaluation and / or audit an advantage.

Skills

• Ability to work closely with government and international officials;
• Demonstrated ability to act independently and exercise sound judgment;
• Ability to work under pressure;
• Demonstrated ability to prepare clear and concise report;
• Knowledge of International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) an advantage; and,• Knowledge of EPRs such as Oracle highly desirable.

Languages

IOM’s official languages are English, French, and Spanish. All staff members are required to be fluent in one of the three languages.

For this position, fluency in English is required (oral and written). Working knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, and 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.

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