Assistant Controller

 

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING APPLICATION DEADLINE\:  Please note that the deadline for applications is indicated in local time as per the time zone of the applicant’s location.

 

 

1. Organizational Setting

    

   The post is located in the Office of the Controller within the Department of Program Planning and Finance, in the Administration and Management Sector.  The Department of Program Planning and Finance encompasses the Office of the Controller, the Finance Division, the Program Performance and Budget Division, and the Enterprise Solutions Division.  The Office of the Controller supports the Director General in ensuring accountability to WIPO's Member States and to extra-budgetary donors for the achievement of results and the utilization of resources entrusted to the Organization through the proper discharge of duties and obligations set out in the Financial Regulations and Rules.

    

2. Purpose Statement

    

   The Assistant Controller is responsible for continuous improvement in the maturity of WIPO’s Enterprise Risk Management and Internal Control System and supports the Controller in coordinating policy development and structuring the follow-up and implementation of audit and oversight recommendations.  The role also focuses on the evolution and maintenance of the Financial Regulations and Rules and contributes to the evolution of the Staff Regulations and Rules.  The Assistant Controller, under the supervision of the Controller, is responsible for facilitating the work of the Risk Management Group and managing the operations of the Secretariat of the Program and Budget Committee.

    

3. Reporting Lines

    

   The incumbent works under the supervision of the Director, Program Planning and Finance (Controller).

    

4. Work Relations

    

   The incumbent works in close cooperation with the Director of the Finance Division, the Director of the Program Performance and Budget Division, and the Director of the Enterprise Solutions Division within the Department.  The role also interfaces with multiple entities across the Organization, notably Program Managers and Directors across WIPO’s Programs, the Director of the Human Resource Management Department, Director of the Procurement and Travel Division and the Office of Legal Counsel.

    

    

 

The incumbent will perform the following principal duties\:

 

a.  Ensure risk management and internal controls are fully integrated, embedded and continuously strengthened in the planning, implementation monitoring, assessment and reporting processes and systems in accordance with business needs;  oversee the further development of the Enterprise Risk Management System (ERM).

 

b.  Advance the use of data analytics to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the internal control system;  undertake periodic reviews of the efficiency and effectiveness of internal controls.

 

c.  Advocate risk management and internal controls throughout the Organization through awareness raising, training and through the engagement of Program Managers in the risk dialogue.

 

d.  Function as Secretary to the Risk Management Group.

 

e.  Support the Controller in planning, conducting and managing the Program and Budget Committee meetings.

 

f.   Engage with audit and oversight entities (including the JIU) to identify and manage risk and facilitate dialogue through thematic analysis and reporting; ensure that risks are continuously monitored and mitigated.

 

g.  Provide advice to the Program Managers on the regulatory framework, exceptions and non-compliance.

 

h.  Direct the development and implementation of accountability frameworks and structures; ensure the regulatory framework is updated, in sync with business needs and effectively translated into the administrative and management systems.

 

i.   Provide technical input for the development and update of policies and prepare policy proposals; perform quality review of all correspondence and published material having financial, budgetary or program management implications.

 

j.   Represent the Office of the Controller on internal and external bodies; strengthen cooperation within the UN inter-agency system; develop and share knowledge of emerging and best practices in the risk management and internal controls field.

 

k.  Perform other tasks as assigned by the Director, Program Planning and Finance (Controller).

 

 

 

Education

Essential

Advanced university degree in finance, accounting, business administration, economics or related area.  A first-level university degree in one of the aforementioned disciplines plus two years of relevant experience in addition to the essential experience mentioned below may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

 

Experience

Essential

At least 15 years of relevant professional financial or accounting experience, including at the international level, in a senior role of a major company or division of a large organization in the public or private sector.  Extensive experience in developing and maturing risk management and internal control systems.  Experience of using data analytics for enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency of an organization’s internal control system.  Demonstrated experience in statutory and management reporting.  Experience of developing policies in the management and administration domain.  General accounting operations and financial reporting experience.

 

Desirable

Experience working in a fee-for-service environment or in an international financial Institution.

 

Language

Essential

Excellent written and spoken knowledge of English.

 

Desirable

Knowledge of other official UN languages.

 

Job Related Competencies

Essential

Excellent and proven knowledge of risk management, internal control frameworks, operational, administrative and financial procedures, practices and rules in organizations of similar size and complexity.

 

Good knowledge of Enterprise Risk Management systems.

 

Knowledge of IFRS, IPSAS or GAAP and their application in Enterprise Resource Planning systems.

 

Results orientation.

 

Ability to understand, analyze and distill insights from data that can improve or better inform policies and streamline and improve the efficiency of the control system.

 

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and ability to build relationships with key strategic partners and maintain effective partnerships and working relations in a multicultural environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.

 

Ability to create a knowledge-sharing environment.  Strong decision-making and problem-solving skills.

 

Sound judgement and integrity.

 

Competent user of EPM/ERM/ERP applications, Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint) and the internet.

 

Job Related Competencies

Desirable

Understanding of WIPO's work and its stakeholders.

Understanding of the regulatory and the working environment of UN and/or related agencies or other international organizations.

 

 

 

1. Communicating effectively.

2. Showing team spirit.

3. Demonstrating integrity.

4. Valuing diversity.

5. Producing results.

6. Showing service orientation.

7. Seeing the big picture.

8. Seeking change and innovation.

9. Developing yourself and others.

    

    

 

Mobility\:  WIPO staff members are international civil servants subject to the authority of the Director General and may be assigned to any activities, office or duty station of the Organization.  Accordingly, the selected candidate may be required to move from time to time to new functions and/or to another duty station.

 

Annual salary\:

Total annual salary consists of a net annual salary (net of taxes and before medical insurance and pension fund deductions) in US dollars and a post adjustment.  The post adjustment (cost of living allowance) is variable and subject to change without notice in accordance with the rates as set within the UN Common System for salaries and allowances.  The figures quoted below are based on the August 2019 rate of 71.8%

 

D1
Annual salary	$99,595
Post adjustment	$71,509
Total Salary	$171,104
Currency USD

 

 

Please refer to WIPO’s Staff Regulation and Rules for detailed information concerning salaries, benefits and allowances.

 

Additional Information

 

Initial period of two years, renewable, subject to satisfactory performance.  No fixed-term appointment or any extension hereof shall carry with it any expectancy of, nor imply any right to, (further) extensions or conversion to a permanent appointment.

 

This vacancy announcement may be used to fill other posts at the same grade with similar functions in accordance with Staff Rule 4.9.5.

 

Applications from qualified women as well as from qualified nationals of unrepresented Member States of WIPO and underrepresented geographical regions are encouraged. Please click on the following links for the list of unrepresented Member States and the list of underrepresented regions and the WIPO Member States in these regions.

 

The Organization reserves the right to make an appointment at a grade lower than that advertised.

 

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By completing an application, candidates understand that any willful misrepresentation made on this web site, or on any other documents submitted to WIPO during the application, may result in disqualification from the recruitment process, or termination of employment with WIPO at a later date, if that employment resulted from such willful misrepresentations.

 

In the event that your candidature is shortlisted, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of an identification and of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. WIPO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed through the link\: http\://www.whed.net/. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and these will be reviewed individually.

 

Additional testing/interviewing may be used as a form of screening.  Initial appointment is subject to satisfactory professional references.

 

Additional background checks may be required.