Overview
The Chief, Finance Branch leads the Finance Branch, responsible for global finance, financial operations management, accounting policies, treasury services, and financial reporting based on IPSAS. The role promotes clear accountability and oversees the branch's work priorities and staff.
Key Responsibilities
- Maintaining the UNFPA financial framework (financial regulations and rules, policies and procedures)
- Supporting the regular update of the UNFPA internal control framework
- Contributing to risk management process activities
- Enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency of financial management processes
- Ensuring the maintenance of an effective first line of controls over financial management processes
- Ensuring the timely performance of the second line of controls over financial management processes
- Providing support and advice as regards financial management matters to senior management
- Ensuring an adequate operating effectiveness of financial transactions processing and recording processes and systems
- Ensuring an effective management of UNFPA cash and bank positions, cash flows, investment portfolios and currency risk
- Overseeing the annual financial closure process
- Ensuring timely and accurate financial reporting in accordance with IPSAS
- Ensuring the timely and accurate preparation of donor financial reports, financial reports related to UNFPA’s role as administrative agent for pooled funds, specialized financial reports, and internal management reports
- Approving and monitoring allowed exceptions to financial management policies and procedures
- Ensuring adequate support and advice to UNFPA’s staff and management at field offices and HQ units as regards financial management activities and the application of UNFPA’s financial framework
- Supporting donor assessments and reviews as regards financial management matters
- Leading and overseeing branch business efficiency and effectiveness innovations
- Actively supporting the design and implementation of resource mobilization and innovative financing initiatives
- Supporting the operationalization of UN reform and efficiency initiatives
- Ensuring an adequate response to information requirements, findings and recommendations related to financial management of external and internal auditors and of external and internal oversight bodies and functions
- Representing UNFPA at conferences, meetings and inter-agency groups on financial and related matters
- Representing DMS Finance Branch at the Oversight Compliance and Monitoring, Oversight Advisory, Investments and other committees
- Participating in inter-divisional and inter-organizational working groups and project teams
- Continuously enhancing the skills and expertise of the FB staff through learning activities and on-the-job training
- Support the improvement of financial management capabilities of UNFPA finance personnel through training and other appropriate capacity building activities
- Carrying out any other duties as assigned by the Director, DMS
Required Experience
At least 15 years of progressive experience in financial management or accounting positions at multinational organizations (with a minimum of 10 years in supervisory roles). Detailed knowledge and experience complying with IPSAS or IFRS. Sound understanding of internal control and risk management frameworks and processes. In-depth understanding of financial management and operations processes in the United Nations. In-depth understanding of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems, including financial management, accounting, and reporting functions. Experience in implementing or supporting complex Oracle Cloud ERP system implementations is a significant advantage. Experience in implementing corporate change management processes is a significant advantage.
Qualifications
An advanced university degree in Finance, Accounting, or a related field is required. A fully qualified professional accounting qualification from an internationally accredited institute is required, and will be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree (e.g. ACA, ACCA).
