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.
Eligibility for this call for Expression of Interest (EOI) is limited to internal and external candidates who are currently part of the Pathways Pool. The selection for this assignment will be carried out through the Pathways Pool process.
Organizational Context and Scope
Under the direct supervision of the Chief of Mission (CoM), and secondary reporting line of the Deputy Regional Director (Management) of the Regional Office in Vienna, in close coordination with the relevant HQ Departments and the Global Shared Services Centre (GSSC), the Head of Resources Management Unit serves as a core member of the senior management team and the principal advisor to the Chief of Mission on strategic resource management, financial sustainability, operational governance, enterprise risk management, and operational risk.
They provide vision, leadership, and direction across finance, human resources and all resources management areas, ensuring that Country Office resources are planned, allocated, and utilized in a manner that maximizes programmatic impact, ensures full compliance, and strengthens donor confidence. The role drives a strategic, forward-looking approach to financial management, integrating risk management, performance monitoring, and resource optimization into decision-making processes and organizational planning.
Strategic Leadership and Advisory Role
2. Lead the development and implementation of integrated resource management strategies, aligning financial planning with programmatic priorities, growth objectives, and long-term sustainability.
3. Provide high-level, risk-informed and evidence-based advice on financial sustainability, cost recovery, and resource mobilization strategies.
4. Shape operational policies, practices, and systems to enhance efficiency, accountability, scalability, and overall performance through proactive guidance.
Financial Management and Oversight
6. Ensure robust financial planning frameworks that link project pipelines, donor funding, operational costs, and mission sustainability.
7. Provide strategic financial analysis, including scenario planning, trend analysis, and risk-based forecasting to support senior management decision-making.
8. Safeguard organizational assets through strong internal control systems, ensuring full compliance with IOM regulations and donor requirements, and strengthening segregation of duties and control culture.
9. Oversee the preparation of high-quality financial reports for donors, HQ, and external stakeholders, reinforcing donor confidence and transparency.
10. Drive audit readiness and ensure timely implementation of audit recommendations, reinforcing a culture of accountability and continuous assurance across the Country Office.
Human Resources
12. Position the HR function as a strategic business partner supporting organizational effectiveness and workforce planning.
13. Ensure quality assurance of all HR products.
14. When dedicated HR role(s) are established, provide support, in line with the Department of Human Resources’ overall vision and guidance.
Resource Optimization and Performance Management
16. Support the Chief of Mission (CoM) and programmatic counterparts in managing risks across the portfolio, including for donor, delivery, compliance, financial and reputational risks.
17. Strengthen results-based management by linking financial data to programmatic outputs and outcomes, ensuring a strategic and results-oriented approach.
18. Ensure effective cost allocation mechanisms aligned with IOM's financial policies and guidelines and support sustainable, long-term growth of the Country Office portfolio.
Risk Management and Governance
20. Ensure effective implementation of internal control systems, anti-fraud measures, governance structures, and business continuity frameworks.
21. Act as a first line of defence within IOM’s risk management framework, providing constructive challenge and ensuring risk trade-offs are explicit in decision-making processes.
22. Advise senior management on risk exposure and mitigation strategies in complex and evolving operational contexts, including documented advisory input in high-risk scenarios and strategic operational decisions.
23. Coordinate with relevant CO units to prepare and update the risk register.
Oversight of Resource Management Functions
25. Ensure that operational systems are fit-for-purpose, scalable, digitally enabled, and compliant with IOM and donor requirements while supporting operational growth and institutional priorities.
26. Ensure the mandatory inclusion of the Supply Chain Manager in key planning and decision-making forums, including annual planning, project start-up, procurement planning, pipeline reviews, and budget discussions, to align demand planning, sourcing strategies, and delivery timelines with operational objectives and risk appetite.
27. Establish and monitor segregation of duties across the procurement-to-pay cycle, ensuring clear separation between (i) requestors/requisitioners, (ii) buyers/procurement staff, and (iii) payers/finance (payment processing), as well as between receiving/verification and invoice approval/reconciliation.
28. Promote integrated service delivery models that enhance efficiency, support programme implementation, and leverage innovation and digital tools across resource management functions.
ICT Oversight and Operations
30. Contribute to the formulation of the annual administrative budget by preparing cost estimates for ICT infrastructure, equipment replacement and software licensing requirements, ensuring value for money and alignment with operational priorities.
31. Promote and monitor adherence to IOM information security standards and data protection requirements, ensuring appropriate access controls, data handling practices and incident reporting procedures, and flag ICT-related risks for inclusion in the office risk register.
32. Ensure ICT considerations are integrated into business continuity and emergency preparedness plans, including backup connectivity solutions and critical data recovery procedures, in coordination with the regional ICT team.
33. Support the effective use of IOM corporate applications, including WAVE and PRIMA, by monitoring access privileges, system usage, escalating technical issues to the relevant ICT support units, and participating in the rollout of system upgrades and new modules.
34. Identify opportunities to leverage digital tools - including artificial intelligence - and automated processes to strengthen efficiency, transparency and internal controls across resource management functions, liaising with the regional ICT team on innovation initiatives and ensuring locally procured solutions comply with IOM data governance and cybersecurity requirements and organizational standards.
35. Maintain accurate records of ICT assets and non-expendable equipment in accordance with IOM property management rules; coordinate timely disposal, replacement and warranty/insurance follow-up, and ensure assets are properly accounted for in the office inventory.
Leadership and Organizational Development
37. Build national staff capacity in financial management, compliance, strategic planning, and risk awareness and accountability.
38. Promote collaboration between operations and programme teams to ensure alignment, effectiveness, and informed decision-making.
39. Support the Chief of Mission in navigating and managing change and transformation in complex, diverse, and fragile environments through strategic operational support and advisory services.
Partnerships and External Engagement
41. Contribute to inter-agency initiatives, including UN reform and common business operations, representing IOM in relevant operational and resource management forums.
42. Strengthen donor confidence through transparency, high-quality reporting, strong financial governance, and a strategic, results-based, solutions-oriented approach.
43. Perform such other related duties as may be assigned.
Education
Experience
- Experience in all areas of financial administration including financial management, accounting and budgeting;
- Experience in human resources and Supply Chain;
- Experience using an Enterprise Resource Planning system;
- Experience in risk management and internal control frameworks;
- Demonstrated managerial experience, including leading and developing teams, performance management, coaching, and fostering an inclusive, high-performing work culture in complex operational environments;
- Experience in emergency operations an advantage and,
- Experience in monitoring and evaluation and / or audit an advantage.
Skills
- Ability to work closely with government and international officials;
- Demonstrated ability to act independently and exercise sound judgment;
Ability to work under pressure;
- Demonstrated ability to prepare clear and concise reports and provide strategic advice to senior management;
- Knowledge of International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) an advantage; and,
- Knowledge of ERP (Oracle) is highly desirable.
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.
Required Competencies
Notes
- Current staff members who are members of the Pathways Pool will now also be able to express interest in relevant roles at lower-level grade(s);
- Current staff members who are not members of the Pathways Pool may also express interest in roles covered by the Pathways Pool if the positions they encumber are due to be abolished as part of structural adjustments and if they meet certain requirements (as per Pathways Pool guidelines section 4). However, they will have to undergo a Fast-Track Pathways Assessment if they are being considered for the role.
For any questions, please contact pathwayspool@iom.int.
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.