Chief of Global Accounting (P)

Introduction

Established in 1951, IOM is a Related Organization of the United Nations and the leading UN agency in the field of migration. Working closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners, IOM promotes humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It saves lives and protects people on the move, drives solutions to displacement, and facilitates pathways for regular migration, while providing services and advice to governments and migrants.

IOM is committed to fostering a respectful, inclusive and supportive workplace where all employees can thrive professionally and feel valued. By creating such an environment, IOM aims to better harness the full potential of migration and strengthen its support to people on the move.

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:

• Internal candidates
• External female candidates

Organizational Context and Scope

Under the direct supervision of the Comptroller/Director of the Department of Financial and Administrative Management (DFAM), the Chief of Global Accounting leads IOM’s global accounting, statutory financial reporting and project financial report certification functions. They oversees the preparation of IOM’s statutory financial statements ensuring IPSAS compliance, management reporting on the Organization’s financial performance and position, project financial report certification and global accounting operations.

• Lead the timely preparation of IOM’s annual financial statements, ensuring their quality and compliance with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Financial Regulations and International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS).
• Manage the development and updating of IOM’s accounting protocols and procedures in response to emerging operational requirements and changes in IPSAS, while pursuing alignment with United Nations (UN) accounting practices where appropriate and feasible within IOM’s financial context.
• Lead the preparation and analysis of regular and ad hoc management reports on IOM’s financial performance and position, using business intelligence tools and other reporting platforms as appropriate. Ensure that results, accounting trends, risks and control concerns and opportunities for process or cost efficiency are translated into clear, timely and decision-oriented advice for the Comptroller and Senior Management.
• Ensure that the structure and content of IOM’s annual statutory reports and financial management reports are regularly updated to reflect the evolving operational context and stakeholder requirements.
• Manage IOM’s project financial report certification process, ensuring the timely and consistent review and certification of reports in accordance with applicable organizational requirements and donor reporting obligations, and advance standardised, digitised and scalable reporting solutions.
• Oversee accounts consolidation, periodic closure and the global accounting control framework, including reconciliations, balance-sheet reviews, account ownership, review and approval arrangements, and the timely identification and resolution of material accounting issues, financial risks and accounts-quality concerns.
• Safeguard the integrity and quality of IOM’s accounting records, ensuring the timely and accurate recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses across offices worldwide, and directing corrective action where weaknesses or errors are identified.
• Oversee the accounting dimensions of IOM’s enterprise resource planning system and related financial management tools, financial master data and data flows. Ensure that accounting requirements, controls and reporting needs are appropriately incorporated into system design and process changes for all accounting processes, including accounts receivable, accounts payable, fixed assets and project accounting.
• Provide functional leadership, guidance and oversight to the relevant accounting and financial reporting functions at IOM Headquarters and within the delocalised structures of Department of Financial and Administrative Management (DFAM) and ensure appropriate guidance and oversight of field accounting functions in collaboration with Regional Offices and the delocalised Finance and Accounting Division (FAD) functions.
• Lead the continuous improvement and transformation of accounting and financial reporting processes, including standardisation, simplification, automation, data analytics, the appropriate use of emerging technologies, and the implementation of process improvements in coordination with interdependent functions across IOM.
• Ensure IOM’s readiness to adopt new accounting standards, including new IPSAS requirements, and lead their timely implementation across the Organization.
• Lead initiatives to strengthen the technical accounting and financial reporting capabilities of IOM’s global finance community. Establish priorities based on recurring accounting issues, audit findings, new IPSAS requirements and system or process changes; promote practical knowledge products and professional development; and contribute accounting expertise to DFAM-wide finance capacity-building and workforce initiatives
• Coordinate the implementation of DFAM’s annual work plan from the FAD perspective and facilitate the work of IOM’s External Auditors appointed by the Council in relation to IOM’s annual financial statements.
• Lead, manage and develop the staff under the incumbent’s supervision, establish work priorities and performance expectations, ensure the effective allocation of resources, and foster collaboration across the accounting and financial reporting functions.
• Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Education

• Master's degree in Accounting, Finance or a related field from an accredited academic institution with ten years of relevant professional experience; or,
• University degree in the above fields with twelve years of relevant professional experience; and,

Experience

• A minimum of ten years (twelve years for bachelor's degree holders) of progressively evolving leadership experience in financial management with responsibilities for accounting, financial reporting and financial analysis, including at corporate level, in a multinational / international organization environment;
• Demonstrated experience defining accounting requirements for, implementing or substantially improving enterprise resource planning systems and related financial reporting solutions, including financial master data, controls, data flows and process integration and,

Skills

• Extensive professional knowledge of financial accounting as applied to international public organizations with experience with International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) and/or International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS);
• Knowledge of IOM and/or UN financial regulations, policies, procedures and practices is desired;
• Successful track record in a lead role played in the consolidation and production of corporate accounts and statutory financial statements under internationally recognized accounting standards for external audit;
• Successful track record in remotely managing teams and functions, including highly decentralized financial and accounting practices;

Languages

Proficiency of language(s) required will be specifically evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments.

Required Competencies

Notes

Appointment will be subject to all clearances, including medical and security as well as accreditation, any residency or visa requirements. Vacancies close at 23:59 local time Geneva, Switzerland on the respective closing date. No late applications will be accepted.

IOM has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and IOM, including sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and any forms of discrimination. IOM is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children.

IOM conducts reference checks and background verification, including through system wide databases such as ClearCheck, to help ensure that candidates have no record of misconduct, including on sexual harassment, sexual exploitation and abuse, or fraud. Candidates are expected to uphold these standards and principles at all times.

IOM does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process—whether for application, interview, processing, training, or otherwise—and does not request any information related to bank accounts.