Head, Manila Institutional Financial Services (P)

Job Description

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.

For the purpose of this vacancy, the following are considered first-tier candidates:

1. Internal candidates
2. Candidates from the following non-represented member states:
   Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Comoros, Congo (the), Cook Islands, Dominica, Federated States of Micronesia, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Holy See, Iceland, Israel, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Namibia, Nauru, Palau, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Seychelles, Solomon Islands, Suriname, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu

Second tier candidates include:
All external candidates, except candidates from non-represented member states of IOM.

Organizational Context and Scope

The Department of Financial and Administrative Management (DFAM), under the leadership of the Comptroller/Director of DFAM, sets and oversees the Organization’s financial and administrative management standards and safeguards institutional resources through robust controls. The Department plays a strategic role in supporting organizational performance and resilience in an increasingly complex operational and financing environment, while continuously strengthening financial and administrative systems, controls, and processes to ensure they remain fit for purpose and aligned with the Organization’s mandate and strategic objectives.

The Manila Institutional Financial Services (MIFS) is established as a DFAM relocated institutional function, providing support to global financial oversight, monitoring, quality assurance functions. MIFS operates under DFAM governance and supports Regional Offices and Country Offices through institutional controls, analysis, and escalation mechanisms rather than day to day transaction processing. MIFS also oversees the work of the delocalized DFAM functions in Panama (Panama Institutional Financial Services (PIFS)) in order to ensure consistency and coherency.

The Head of Manila Institutional Financial Services provides strategic leadership and managerial oversight for DFAM’s institutional finance functions relocated to Manila and Panama, ensuring consistent application of financial rules, strengthened internal controls, global monitoring, and risk based oversight in line with DFAM policies and the Manila Global Shared Services Centre (GSSC) operating model.

Under the overall management of the Comptroller, Director of DFAM and the direct supervision of the Chief of Global Accounting, the role ensures that institutional finance oversight remains clearly separated from transactional GSSC and mission integrated local services, while supporting DFAM’s objective to enhance global compliance, transparency, and risk management.

Responsibilities

Leadership
1. Manage the Manila and Panama based Institutional Financial Services (MIFS and PIFS).
2. Operationalize the responsibilities assigned by DFAM Divisions and Units into clear mandates, staffing structures, and workplans.
3. Ensure institutional services are delivered consistently, independently, and in accordance with DFAM’s global oversight framework, in close coordination with the respective DFAM Division or Unit

Oversight, Compliance, and Global Monitoring
4. Oversee global monitoring of DFAM related areas (e.g. cost allocations, accounting practices, compliance trends) in line with applicable guidance and instructions.
5. Ensure the implementation of quality assurance reviews, analytical controls, and compliance checks for institutional finance areas assigned to MIFS and PIFS.
6.  Identify systemic risks, recurring non-compliance, and control weaknesses, and escalate findings to DFAM headquarters and Regional Offices through established governance channels.

Institutional Support to Regions and Missions
7. Provide guidance to Regional Offices and Country Offices on complex, non routine finance and compliance matters.
8. Support Regional Offices in their oversight role by supplying analysis, monitoring outputs, and trend reports, while respecting regional accountability lines.
9. Maintain a clear non transactional mandate, avoiding duplication with GSSC foundational services or mission level finance functions.

Governance, Standards, and Frameworks
10. Contribute to the development, maintenance, and periodic review of DFAM institutional finance, accounting, budget and treasury frameworks, SOPs, and guidance notes.
11. Support the definition of escalation pathways, roles and responsibilities, and control points between DFAM, GSSC, Regional Offices, and Country Offices.
12. Maintain institutional finance services aligned with evolving institutional financial and administrative policies, ERP stabilization, and organizational decisions.
Performance Management and Continuous Improvement
13. Define and monitor performance indicators for institutional services delivered by MIFS and PIFS.
14. Contribute to the continuous improvement in analytical tools, monitoring methodologies, and reporting products supporting DFAM oversight.
15. Contribute to DFAM initiatives on finance innovation and automation where relevant to oversight and compliance functions.

People Management and Capacity Building
16. Manage, supervise, and mentor staff, including incumbents of DFAM delocalized positions, ensuring clarity of institutional roles and accountability.
17. Ensure that consistent administrative arrangements are provided for all DFAM personnel located in Panama and Manila
18. Identify skills gaps and training needs to support high quality institutional oversight and analytical work.
19. Foster a culture of independence, integrity, and service orientation consistent with DFAM’s institutional mandate.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications and Experience

Education

• Master’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, Economics, or a related field from an accredited institution with seven years of relevant professional experience; or,
• Bachelor’s degree in the above fields with nine years of relevant professional experience may be accepted in lieu. 

Experience

• At least 7 years of progressively responsible experience in finance, accounting, oversight, or audit related functions;
• Demonstrated experience in institutional oversight, compliance, internal controls, or risk management, preferably within an international organisation;
• Experience in managing shared services, centralised financial controlling, consolidated accounting or oversight models, and organisational level financial functions is an asset;
• Experience in a corresponding role within the IOM or United Nations system is a distinct advantage; and,
• Strong understanding of IOM and/or United Nations financial and accounting policies and procedures is required.

Skills

• Strong leadership and people management skills in multicultural environments;
• Excellent analytical, drafting, and stakeholder engagement skills;
• Sound understanding of ERP based finance environments and control framework, with emphasis on Oracle Fusion; and,
• Ability to operate independently and exercise sound judgment in institutional oversight roles.

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.

The incumbent is expected to demonstrate the following values and competencies:

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 2

• 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 2

• 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. Please refer to this link for guidance on IOM Job Category.

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

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.

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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