Expedited VN: Chief, Financial Policy Unit (P) (Internal Applicants only)

Job Description

Job Identification (Reference Number): 18175
Position Title: Chief, Financial Policy Unit (P)
Duty Station City: Geneva
Grade: P-5
Contract Type: Fixed-term (1 year with possibility of extension)
Recruiting Type: Professional 
Vacancy Type: Vacancy Notice
Initial duration: 1 year with possibility of extension
Closing date: 30 December 2025

Introduction:

Established in 1951, IOM is a Related Organization of the United Nations, and as the leading UN agency in the field of migration, works closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners. IOM is dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It does so by providing services and advice to governments and migrants. 

IOM is committed to ensuring a workplace where all employees can thrive professionally, while working towards harnessing the full potential of migration. Read more about IOM's workplace culture at IOM workplace culture | International Organization for Migration

This is an expedited recruitment process open only to:

a) internal candidates and

b) former IOM staff members who were separated in the last 12 months due to the structural adjustment process.

This process is not open to external applicants; their applications will not be considered at this time. 

Context:

The Financial Coordination and Policy Division (FCPD) of the Department of Financial and Administrative Management (DFAM) at IOM oversees the global financial operating framework of the Organization, facilitating compliance with the Organization’s financial regulations, policies, and standards. The Division coordinates comprehensive monitoring and analysis of budgetary and financial risks in close collaboration with other Divisions, especially within DFAM, and organizational units.

​​Within FCPD, the Financial Policy Unit is responsible for developing and regularly updating IOM’s global financial management and administrative policies and procedures in full compliance with the financial regulatory framework of the Organization and international standards, ensuring accountability, transparency, and efficiency in financial resource management. The Unit facilitates the introduction of innovative practices and collaborates with other Divisions or Units in developing policies with financial components. It also supports the Comptroller and DFAM Divisional Heads to ensure that documents and communications issued to Governing Bodies by DFAM adhere to established standards. In addition, the Unit conducts risk assessments related to financial arrangements and directly engages in contractual negotiations on financial matters with external parties to maintain alignment with organizational policies, meet operational needs and implement effective risk mitigation strategies. Furthermore, the Unit supports financial collaboration within the United Nations system, contributing to IOM’s participation in relevant engagements and ensuring alignment with UN financial regulations, reporting and practices. 

Under the overall supervision of Comptroller / Director, Department of Financial and Administrative. Management (DFM) and the direct supervision of the Deputy Comptroller/Director of the Financial Coordination and Policy Division, the Chief of the Financial Policy Unit leads the Unit responsible for developing and refining IOM’s financial and administrative policies and guidelines, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives and regulatory frameworks. The Chief provides expert guidance on complex policies, drives financial negotiations with external stakeholders, and advises on donor conditionalities and financial risks. Additionally, the Chief plays a key role in shaping strategies to enhance governance and financial oversight, promote innovative financing solutions, and reinforce risk management and fraud prevention across IOM’s decentralized structure. The Chief also represents IOM in UN inter-agency financial working groups and networks, fostering alignment and collaboration on system-wide financial standards and practices.

Responsibilities

1. Provide expert guidance and actively assist in the formulation of new or updated financial and administrative policies, procedures, and processes at the corporate level, ensuring alignment with IOM’s organizational goals, regulatory standards, and Governing Bodies’ decisions as well as addressing operational challenges and optimizing efficiency across decentralized operations.
2. Advise on the integration of flexible and innovative financing mechanisms, including with non-traditional donors, into financial policies to support resource diversification and financial sustainability, supported by relevant research and benchmarking of best practices.
3. Lead negotiations on contractual financial terms with donors and third parties, supervise the review and formal clearance of key financial contractual clauses, and offer expert guidance on complex cases to safeguard organizational interests.
4. Provide Senior Management with strategic insights on impact assessments of new business models, ensuring financial considerations are aligned with IOM’s priorities and risk appetite.
5. Ensure the establishment and continuous strengthening of robust internal controls and fraud prevention measures within IOM’s financial policies and guidance, tailored to support decentralized operations while promoting accountability and operational integrity across all levels of the Organization. Coordinate and provide expert advice to all Business Process Owners to develop a Risk and Control Matrix for all major process streams and development of a Statement of Internal Control for Financial Reporting. Collaborate with the Institutional Risk Division to ensure a coherent policy framework for issues of accountability, control, and fraud prevention. Collaborate with the Financial Compliance Unit to implement practical guidance and monitoring tools.
6. Lead the Unit’s expert guidance and coordination to support the interpretation and operationalization of financial and administrative policies across IOM globally. Provide expert functional advice and support to Directors and other senior managers at Headquarters and in the field, promoting consistency, addressing operational challenges, and enabling effective implementation aligned with IOM’s strategic and operational needs.
7. Identify, assess, and mitigate financial risks, formulating strategies to resolve systemic issues and emerging challenges, including recommending corrective actions and enforcement measures related to non-compliance with financial policies and regulations.
8. Provide guidance to relevant Divisions and Units on the application and interpretation of policies to be followed in the preparation of IOM’s consolidated financial data for submission to UN system-wide financial reporting frameworks and inter-agency reporting exercises.
9. Establish and maintain strong working relationships with UN system-wide counterparts to promote alignment on financial policies, standards, and practices, fostering greater harmonization, knowledge exchange, and mutual understanding across agencies.
10. Represent IOM in inter-agency working groups, networks, and initiatives as appointed, by actively advocating for the Organization’s interests, ensuring that IOM’s financial policies and practices align with and contribute to UN system-wide guidelines and objectives. 
11. Lead the coordination of DFAM’s responses to internal audits, institutional donor assessments, and high-risk project verifications, providing expert advisory support to the Deputy Comptroller and Comptroller on related financial governance matters. Oversee root cause analyses and propose cost-effective, systemic solutions — including revisions to financial policies and internal controls — to strengthen the Organization’s financial accountability and oversight frameworks.
12. Advise and support the Deputy Comptroller and Comptroller in the preparation of information papers, reports, and presentations for Senior Management, Governing Bodies, and stakeholders, ensuring clarity, accuracy, and strategic alignment with organizational priorities and governance requirements.
13. Supervise and coordinate the work of the assigned team of Financial Policy Officers, ensuring optimal resource allocation, collaboration, knowledge sharing, and timely achievement of financial policy objectives in support of IOM’s strategic goals.
14. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Qualifications

Education

• Master’s degree in in Accounting or Finance from an accredited academic institution with ten years of relevant professional experience; or,
• Bachelor's degree with twelve years of relevant professional experience;
• Professional accounting or audit certification by an internationally recognized professional accountancy or audit body is a significant advantage.

Experience

• Extensive experience in financial management, including the evaluation of internal controls and provision of strategic advisory services focused on policy development and innovative solution identification; and,
• Substantial experience working within international organizations such as IOM and/or other UN agencies, contributing to policy advancement and operational improvements.

Skills

• Strong negotiation and communication skills, ability to present complex information in a comprehensive, clear and concise manner both verbally and in writing;
• Advanced analytical skills, including the ability to critically review, edit, and develop a diverse range of materials such as financial policies, procedural guidelines, instructions, and reports tailored to various stakeholder audiences;
• In-depth knowledge of financial regulations, policies, procedures, and reporting standards within IOM and/or United Nations frameworks, facilitating robust financial governance and operational alignment; and,
• Proficient in identifying and developing innovative financial solutions that support organizational objectives and enhance overall efficiency.

Languages:

IOM’s official languages are English, French and Spanish. 

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:

IOM’s competency framework can be found at this link Competencies will be assessed during the selection process.

Values - all IOM staff members must abide by and demonstrate these five values:

• Inclusion and respect for diversity: Respects and promotes individual and cultural differences. Encourages diversity and inclusion.
• Integrity and transparency: Maintains high ethical standards and acts in a manner consistent with organizational principles/rules and standards of conduct.
• Professionalism: Demonstrates ability to work in a composed, competent and committed manner and exercises careful judgment in meeting day-to-day challenges.
• Courage: Demonstrates willingness to take a stand on issues of importance.
• Empathy: Shows compassion for others, makes people feel safe, respected and fairly treated.

Core Competencies – behavioural indicators Level 3

• Teamwork: Develops and promotes effective collaboration within and across units to achieve shared goals and optimize results.
• Delivering results: Produces and delivers quality results in a service-oriented and timely manner. Is action-oriented and committed to achieving agreed outcomes.
• Managing and sharing knowledge: Continuously seeks to learn, share knowledge, and innovate.
• Accountability: Takes ownership for achieving the Organization’s priorities and assumes responsibility for own actions and delegated work.
• Communication: Encourages and contributes to clear and open communication. Explains complex matters in an informative, inspiring, and motivational way.

Managerial Competencies – behavioural indicators Level 3

• Leadership: Provides a clear sense of direction, leads by example and demonstrates the ability to carry out the Organization’s vision. Assists others to realize and develop their leadership and professional potential.
• Empowering others: Creates an enabling environment where staff can contribute their best and develop their potential.
• Building Trust: Promotes shared values and creates an atmosphere of trust and honesty.
• Strategic thinking and vision: Works strategically to realize the Organization’s goals and communicates a clear strategic direction.
• Humility: Leads with humility and shows openness to acknowledging own shortcomings. 

Notes:

Internationally recruited professional staff are required to be mobile.

Any offer made to the candidate in relation to this vacancy notice is subject to funding confirmation.

This vacancy is only open to current and former IOM staff members who were separated in the last 12 months due to the structural adjustment process.

This selection process may be used to staff similar positions in various duty stations. Recommended candidates will remain eligible to be appointed in a similar position for a period of 24 months.

The list of NMS countries above includes all IOM Member States which are non-represented in the Professional Category of staff members. For this staff category, candidates who are nationals of the duty station's country cannot be considered eligible.

Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, security clearances.

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, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities.

IOM does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process (application, interview, processing, training or other fee). IOM does not request any information related to bank accounts.

IOM only accepts duly completed applications submitted through the IOM e-Recruitment system (for internal candidates link here). The online tool also allows candidates to track the status of their application.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

For further information and other job postings, you are welcome to visit our website: IOM Careers and Job Vacancies 

Required Skills

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