Country: Switzerland
Closing date: 15 Aug 2017
Controller and Director, Division of Financial Administration and Management
Location:Geneva, Switzerland
Closing date: 15 August 2017
UNHCR encourages qualified women to apply.
ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT
UNHCR was established on December 14, 1950 by the General Assembly of the United Nations with the primary purpose to safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees. It also provides assistance to internally displaced and stateless persons, and returnees. As at July 2017, the Organization operated in 130 countries with 475 offices worldwide, an implementation of nearly $4 billion in 2016, employing a global workforce of close to 15,000 people. UNHCR is funded nearly entirely from voluntary contributions and operates in a highly dynamic operational environment, responding to numerous emergency situations. UNHCR has adopted International Public Sector Accounting Standards effective 2012.
In this context, the Controller is the key official responsible for financial and budgetary strategy and policy formulation, the production of the statutory accounts, cash management, as well as financial change management and related project implementation including the development and maintenance of supporting corporate IT systems. The Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) applied by UNHCR is PeopleSoft and since 2017, the Finance and Supply Chain Module has been undergoing an upgrade. The Controller is also the Director of the Division of Financial and Administrative Management and, as such, is responsible for overseeing and supervising the Division which comprises approximately 120 staff, located both in Geneva and Budapest.
ESSENTIAL MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
- An advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in finance, business administration, accounting or a closely related field.
- Professional qualification in accounting (CPA or CA or equivalent).
- Minimum 20 years of supervisory experience in accounting and/or in financial management in an international, decentralized and/or multinational environment. Of these 20 years, at least 10 years should be in an international capacity, preferably the United Nations and in the functional area that is directly relevant to the current position - at Headquarters level. Knowledge and practical experience of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) or International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) at Headquarters level is required. Demonstrated experience in statutory reporting and management reporting is also required.
- Demonstrated leadership qualities, excellent problem solving and presentation skills and very good negotiation skills.
- Good communication and strong interpersonal skills to deal with staff members of various cultural and educational backgrounds. Expert knowledge of United Nations (or United Nations system organization's) financial regulations and rules, procedures and processes, as well as its organization's programme and budget formulation/methodologies.
- Demonstrated mastery of management practices/standards and processes with exposure to provision of support services in an international organization, preferably within the UN.
- IT affinity including excellent computer skills, a working knowledge of MS Office and PeopleSoft systems (or similar ERP), and their related change management implementation.
- Proven ability to deal with multiple tasks in a courteous and service-oriented manner, in demanding working conditions that often have short deadlines.
- Excellent knowledge of English (written/oral/comprehension). Highly developed drafting skills in English.
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS AND COMPETENCIES
- Applied knowledge of UNHCR's mandate and protection principles.
- Experience in UN humanitarian or development assistance organizations, operational field experience in an international setting is an advantage.
- Working knowledge in French.
Application:
To read more about the terms of reference and apply for this position, please go to our careers page at www.unhcr.org/careers.html, click on international vacancies and type in job ID 14107.
Deadline: 15 August 2017 (midnight Geneva time)
All positions are available on the UNHCR Careers Page at www.unhcr.org/careers.html.
How to apply:
To read more about the terms of reference and apply for this position, please go to our careers page at www.unhcr.org/careers.html, click on international vacancies and type in job ID 14107.
Deadline: 15 August 2017 (midnight Geneva time)
All positions are available on the UNHCR Careers Page at www.unhcr.org/careers.html.