Comptroller and Director of Finance

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The Comptroller and Director of Finance provides substantive and strategic advice to the Director General, ADG/BOS, Regional Directors and other stakeholders. The advice is based on best practice, state-of-the-art and risk-based approaches to all aspects of financial management. Guided by integrity and transparency, the Comptroller ensures that policies and procedures are the most relevant, effective and efficient for the administration of WHO's investments, annual expenditures, preparation of financial statements and other financial reports, both internal and external. Finally, the Comptroller and Director of Finance oversees and manages accounting, including payables and receivables, statutory financial reporting, treasury, insurances and payroll for the Organization and its hosted entities and leads pensions and staff health insurance services.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

1. Oversees plans,and manages the financial accounting, reporting, income and treasury management for the Organization, including provision of certified statutory financial reporting to Member States, ensuring that latest innovative tools and approaches are in place and adhering to international standards of accounting.

2. Leads the provision of pension and staff health insurance services for the Organization and hosted entities, setting strong internal controls and ensuring that the processes are efficient, timely and accurate.

3. Analyses and forecasts the availability of financing for the Organization using modern analytical tools and provides timely transparent and user-friendly reporting of the same to senior management and other stakeholders.

4. Ensures adequate monitoring of expenditures of the Organization, and works in close consultation with all relevant stakeholders to ensure that the financial system is efficient, updated and integrated to the organization's Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system.

5. Ensures appropriate and sustainable management of WHO's liquidity within approved investment risk parameters, and safeguards the adequacy of WHO cashflow to meet operational requirements.

6. Coordinates, implements and manages the Organization's investment strategies for financial reserves (to include "AS", "TPA", Special Purpose Funds, other Fiduciary funds, to help to ensure long term financial stability in accordance with the General Programme of Work (GPW).

7. Regularly reviews, updates and maintains overall financial policy and procedure framework through the network of HQ and regional office financial managers to enhance the stewardship of assets, minimize risk and foster a strong culture of internal controls.

8. Oversees the financial functions and deliverables of the Global Services Center (GSC), including payroll, account payables and account receivables, ensuring that transactions are processed accurately, expeditiously, and in accordance with the financial rules and regulations.

9. Provides strategic recommendations and advice on financial policy issues to ADG/BOS and other senior managers on strategic financial policy issues and performs risk management duties related to finance.

10.As Comptroller, Chairs the Financial Management Council, briefing senior management on key performance indicators and actions required to improve in areas of deficiency.

11.Advises regional offices, and hosted entities, on strategic financial management issues, to include advice on appropriate staff structures, and consultation in key staff selections and objective setting.

12.Establishes and develops relations with representatives of Member States, other UN Organizations, and other partners and stakeholders on financial matters.

13.Represents the Organization externally on financial policy and management issues.

14.Coordinates with the External Auditor to ensure statutory external audits can be performed based on agreed upon accounting standards, and issues raised by the External Auditor are resolved on a timely basis.

15.Plans, directs, and evaluates the work of the department, within the delegated budget.

16. Performs all other related duties as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: Advanced university degree in financial management, business administration or a closely related field; OR a first level degree in financial management, business administration or a closely related field AND with a professional certification such as CA or CPA.
Desirable: Professional certification such as CA or CPA highly desirable. Professional studies in management approaches and innovative thinking in relevant areas and in IT developments.

Experience

Essential: A minimum of 15 years of relevant and progressive experience, of which no less than 10 years at a senior decision-making level in financial management within a large multi-national or international organization. Significant senior level experience in managing and leading financial reform, financial planning, risk management, change management, internal controls and financial systems in a large-scale operation at the regional and international level. Demonstrated experience of change management and demonstrated success in introducing change into a financial management programme area, implementation of a global financial management system (such as Oracle, SAP or equivalent).
Desirable: In depth experience of WHO or another agency of the UN system.

Skills

Extensive knowledge of financial governance, management, treasury and financial policy development.

Demonstrated in depth knowledge of and expertise in managing financial and investment policies.

Strong knowledge of international accounting standards and familiarity with internal and external auditing practices.

Demonstrated managerial skills in negotiation and advocacy, evidence of sound judgement, integrity, tact and discretion in dealing with others.

Strong knowledge of the accounting, budgeting and financial policies and regulations which govern management within WHO and the UN system is desirable.

Ability to manage large amounts of detail with great care and accuracy.

Demonstrated ability to inspire others through exemplary leadership, mentorship, enthusiasm and passion for work.

Demonstrated ability to lead, motivate and supervise multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural staff of various backgrounds and develop a team approach to issues.

Ability to interact positively with staff at all organizational levels, officials of Member States and other UN Agencies.

WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Ensuring the effective use of resources
Driving the Organization to a Successful Future
Creating an empowering and motivating environment

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of French.

REMUNERATION

WHO salaries for staff in the Professional category are calculated in US dollars. The remuneration for the above position comprises an annual base salary starting at USD 111,502 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable), a variable post adjustment, which reflects the cost of living in a particular duty station, and currently amounts to USD 8093 per month for the duty station indicated above. Other benefits include 30 days of annual leave, allowances for dependent family members, home leave, and an education grant for dependent children.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• This vacancy notice may be used to fill other similar positions at the same grade level

• Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.

• A written test may be used as a form of screening.

• In the event that your candidature is retained for an interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. WHO 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 will require individual review.

• Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to WHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and Manual.

• Staff members in other duty stations are encouraged to apply.

• For information on WHO's operations please visit: http://www.who.int.

• WHO is committed to workforce diversity.

• WHO's workforce adheres to the WHO Values Charter and is committed to put the WHO Values into practice.

• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.

• WHO has a mobility policy which can be found at the following link: http://www.who.int/employment/en/. Candidates appointed to an international post with WHO are subject to mobility and may be assigned to any activity or duty station of the Organization throughout the world.

• Applications from women and from nationals of non and underrepresented Member States are particularly encouraged.