VN 2024 731 Head, HQ Financial Coordination and Advisory Unit (P4) Geneva, Switzerland

Position Title: Head, HQ Financial Coordination and Advisory Unit

Job Code: VN 2024 731

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: 15 January 2025

Context:

The Financial Coordination and Policy Division (FCPD) of the Department of Financial and Administrative Management (DFM) of IOM, oversees the global financial operating framework of the Organization, monitoring and facilitating compliance with the Organization’s financial regulations, policies, and standards. It coordinates the comprehensive monitoring and analysis of budgetary, financial compliance and monetary risks in close coordination with the divisions of DFM and other organizational units.

Within the Financial Coordination and Policy Division (FCPD), the Headquarters Financial

Coordination and Advisory Unit oversees and supports the transactional workflows of Headquarters in the area of finance and administration. The Unit provides guidance and advisory support to the respective functions and Resources Management Officers of HQ departments, as well as to projects managed from Headquarters, facilitating the timely, compliant, and efficient operation of financial and administrative workflows. The Unit promotes cross-functional adherence to institutional policies and processes, offering analytical guidance to enhance decision-making. It also works to improve coordination of financial and administrative management functions across Headquarters departments and HQ-based projects, aiming to achieve greater efficiency and alignment. The Unit supports the implementation and operation of new financial and administrative tools and solutions at Headquarters, including changes in ERP systems, strengthens HQ transaction processing workflows, and provides project financial management guidance to ensure effective operations.

Under the direct supervision of the Deputy Comptroller/Director of the Financial Coordination and Policy Division, the Head, HQ Financial Coordination and Advisory Unit will be responsible and accountable for overseeing and managing the Unit’s operations. The incumbent will be responsible for ensuring the compliance of the assigned financial and administrative processes of Headquarters, in coordination with the respective DFM Divisions and Units, the Department of Human Resources and the Supply Chain Division (SCD), while delivering efficient support and advisory services to other HQ financial functions, in accordance with IOM financial regulations, rules, and procedures.

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

1. Supervise the HQ Financial Coordination and Advisory Unit in compliance with relevant IOM standards, processes rules, and regulations.
2. Monitor and provide expert support and guidance for financial management of HQ implemented projects, including the monitoring of financial health of the respective project accounts, supporting the preparation of financial and donor reports in coordination with the departments in charge of the financial management and implementation of the projects. Liaise with Project Managers, departmental Resources Management Officers, and the relevant units in HQ and Administrative Centres, as required.
3. Provide expert support and advice for the establishment of procedures ensuring regular financial review of projects managed in HQ, ensure the follow up of findings and timely resolution.
4. Ensure financial documents are in conformity with relevant IOM regulations, policies, and procedures, and take action to resolve discrepancies or inconsistencies.
5. Coordinate and provide expert support for 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.
6. Coordinate with other Divisions and Units within DFM and across IOM the interpretation and implementation of financial or administrative policy changes to ensure such changes are well understood and supported by corresponding systems and resources.
7. Implement, maintain, and further strengthen appropriate internal controls by ensuring that changes in Organizational policies and procedures and implementation guides are implemented for the relevant financial and administrative workflows of HQ.
8. Coordinate and organize the process of projectizing the staff and common office cost of HQ.
9. Act as payment and / or budget approver for HQ-related expenses as assigned.
10. Oversee the review and processing Travel Expense Claims for HQ staff and supplementary workforce according to applicable rules and procedures
11. Provide expert support and advice to the Project Managers and Resources ManagementOfficers in developing, coordinating, and implementing project and programme budgets.
12. Liaise with other internal functional units at HQs and other stakeholders, as required, in the performance of the accounting and financial functions.
13. Supports the implementation and operation of new financial and administrative tools and solutions at Headquarters, including changes in ERP systems.
14. Strengthen internal controls and support fraud prevention efforts by ensuring compliance with IOM’s financial and administrative policies, identifying potential vulnerabilities, and proposing mitigating measures.
15. 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 above field from an accredited academic institution 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

• Proven experience in accounting, financial management, and reporting within large-scale operations;
• Demonstrated ability to prepare clear, concise, and comprehensive financial and management reports;
• Experience working within international institutions, such as IOM or other United Nations organizations; and,
• Proven experience in successfully liaising with senior management on financial transactions and related matters.

Skills

• Proficiency in MS Office applications and strong computer literacy skills are essential;
• Experience using large Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) solutions is required, with the ability to navigate complex financial systems to manage and analyze data effectively. Familiarity with ERP platforms in financial and administrative operations is critical to ensuring seamless integration, accuracy, and compliance in transaction processing and reporting; • Knowledge of International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) is an asset;
• Familiarity with IOM/UN accounting systems, software, and procedures, as well as regulations, policies, and procedures, is highly desirable and,
• Experience in financial oversight and public administration is considered 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.