Head, Headquarters (HQ) Resources Management and Oversight Advisory Unit

Position Title: Head, Headquarters (HQ) Resources Management and Oversight Advisory 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: 04 July 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; Fiji; 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; Samoa; Sao Tome and Principe; Solomon Islands; Suriname; The Bahamas; Tonga; Tuvalu; Vanuatu

Second tier candidates include:

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

Context:

The Headquarters Resources Management Oversight and Advisory Unit provides guidance and advice to global projects managed from Headquarters and facilitates related financial and administrative processes. The Unit enhances cross-functional adherence to institutional processes and provides analytical guidance. The Unit also examines options to better ensure coordination of the different resource management services for Headquarters-based projects with a view to achieving more efficiencies. The unit also helps to strengthen and align these functions to continuously support resources management related processes, address changes in ERP and support HQ transaction processing functions and project management guidance.

Under the direct supervision of the Comptroller/ Director of the Department of Financial and Administrative Management (DFM), the Head, HQ Resources Management and Oversight Advisory Unit will be accountable and responsible for managing and coordinating the financial resources functions of projects implemented in Headquarters (excluding L3) in accordance with IOM financial regulations, rules and procedures.

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

1. Supervise HQ Resources Management and Oversight Advisory Unit staff including the Unit’s HR Officer, to ensure compliance with relevant IOM standards, processes rules and regulations.
2. Monitor and oversee the financial management of all HQ implemented projects, including the oversight of financial expenditures and accountability, and supervising the preparation of financial and donor reports in accordance with IOM and donor regulations and established procedures. Liaise with Project Managers and relevant units in HQ and Administrative Centres as required.
3. Support the establishment of procedures for the financial oversight of projects managed in Headquarters.
4. Serve as Focal Point for the management of the day-to-day administrative and financial activities of projects implemented in Headquarters.
5. Ensure financial documents are in conformity with relevant financial regulations, policies, and procedures, and take action to resolve discrepancies or inconsistencies.
6. Coordinate and support ad hoc external auditing of HQ managed projects as well as multi country audits involving HQ projects. Ensure that audit observations with impact on accounting and financial management policies and procedures are properly and timely addressed through corresponding modifications to procedures or in the system of internal controls.
7. Undertake financial analysis of projects in HQ and take action to resolve anomalies and unusual trends.
8. Coordinate responses to requests addressed to the Controller 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.
9. 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.
10. Implement, maintain, and further strengthen appropriate internal controls by ensuring that changes in Organizational policies and procedures and implementation guides are implemented for HQ managed projects.
11. Ensure compliance with the Organization’s regulations, procedures, and practices in the performance of administrative, accounting, financial, procure-to-pay functions for HQ implemented projects.
12. Provide inputs to prepare office projectization with reference to the project activities in HQ.
13. Review Travel Expense Claims for HQ staff and supplementary staff according to applicable rules and procedures.
14. Support Project Managers to develop and coordinate new project and programme budgets.
15. Provide support to Project Managers throughout the project cycle to ensure compliance with IOM and donor regulations and obligations, including financial reporting responsibilities.
16. Liaise with other internal functional units at HQs and other stakeholders as required in the performance of the accounting and financial functions.
17. Support Business Transformation initiatives.
18. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Education

• Master’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Public Administration, Business Administration, or a related field from an accredited academic institution with seven years of relevant professional experience; or,
• University degree in 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) will be a distinct advantage.

Experience

• Experience in accounting, financial management and reporting;
• Experience in preparing clear and concise financial and management reports; and,
• Experience working in and with international institutions.

Skills

• Knowledge of MS Office products and good computer literacy skills are required;
• Knowledge of International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) an advantage;
• Knowledge of IOM/UN accounting system, software and procedures, Common System regulations, policies and procedures are a distinct advantage; and,
• Familiarity with financial oversight and public administration is an advantage.

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.