Controller, Chief Financial Officer and Director

Overview

The Controller, Chief Financial Officer and Director is the principal advisor on financial management, budget, accounting, treasury, and administrative matters. This role provides strategic leadership for UNHCR's global financial management framework and oversees facilities, travel, and fleet management.

Key Responsibilities

• Advise and assist in the formulation of financial, administrative, and resource management strategies, policies, and priorities.
• Lead the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of UNHCR's financial management framework.
• Provide strategic direction and oversight for global budgeting, resource allocation, financial planning, accounting, treasury, and financial reporting.
• Ensure the preparation and certification of UNHCR's annual financial statements in accordance with IPSAS, United Nations regulations, and applicable financial policies.
• Lead the development and implementation of enterprise-wide financial governance, internal control, and accountability frameworks.
• Oversee global treasury operations, liquidity management, banking relationships, investments, and cash forecasting activities.
• Direct the development and implementation of financial policies, procedures, standards, and guidance.
• Lead the modernization of financial and administrative management through digital transformation, process simplification, automation, artificial intelligence, data analytics, and innovative business solutions.
• Represent the Organization in inter-agency, donor, governmental, and external forums on matters relating to financial management, governance, accountability, and organizational performance.
• Manage the human, financial, and technological resources entrusted to the Division.

Required Experience

18 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 17 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 16 years relevant experience with Doctorate degree. Extensive and progressively responsible leadership experience in financial and administrative management within a large international, decentralized and/or multinational organization. At least 10 years should have been acquired in an international capacity and in functional areas directly relevant to the current position, including significant experience at Headquarters level. Knowledge and practical experience of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and/or International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) at Headquarters level is required. Demonstrated experience in statutory reporting, management reporting, financial governance, and internal control frameworks. Excellent knowledge of United Nations (or United Nations system organization) financial regulations, rules, procedures, and processes, as well as program planning, budgeting, resource allocation, and results-based management methodologies. Demonstrated mastery of management practices, organizational governance, and corporate support service delivery in a large international organization, preferably within the United Nations system. Experience leading organizational transformation, business process improvement, shared services, digitalization, and change management initiatives is highly desirable. Excellent communication, stakeholder management, negotiation, and interpersonal skills. Strong digital acumen and strategic understanding of technology-enabled business transformation are essential. Demonstrated experience in shaping and implementing digital strategies, leveraging enterprise platforms such as Oracle ERP, and leading large-scale transformation and change initiatives. Proven ability to harness data, analytics, automation, artificial intelligence, and emerging technologies to improve organizational performance, strengthen decision-making, and modernize business processes. Ability to anticipate future trends, assess their implications for the organization, and position corporate services to meet evolving operational and business needs. Professional qualification in accounting (CPA or CA or equivalent) is desirable. Applied knowledge of UNHCR's mandate and protection principles is desirable. Experience at UN humanitarian or development assistance organizations is desirable.

Qualifications

Undergraduate degree; or Graduate degree; or Doctorate degree. Field(s) of Education: Finance, Business Administration, Accounting or other relevant field. Bachelor of Arts: Accounting, Bachelor of Arts: Business Administration, Bachelor of Arts: Finance.

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