Regional Finance Manager

Purpose of the Post:

To advise the Director, Business Operations and senior managers in WHO/Europe on all financial matters and the appropriate use of financial resources in the Regional Office, Country Offices and all other offices in Europe. To oversee staff health insurance services from the Regional Office.

Objectives of the Programme and of the immediate Strategic Objectives:

The objective of the Division of Business Operations (BOS) is to support the work of WHO in the European Region through delivery of services within the areas of human resources, finance, contracting and procurement, legal advice, information & communications technology, printing, security, facilities management, fixed assets, conference support, travel and transport, safeguarding personnel and staff wellness and well-being. As an enabling function, the division enhances the productivity of the health technical programmes and country offices while at the same time overseeing accountability, transparency and compliance with WHO administrative rules and regulations. The BOS division strives to strengthen the capacity of WHO/Europe to react in an agile way to external and internal changes. The division projects are designed to increase productivity, ensure financial sustainability of the region’s structures, reinforce a client-oriented culture, strengthen country office capacities, and drive strategic initiatives to enhance staff motivation and well-being. As part of the BOS division, the Financial control and assurance unit (FCA) supports the operations of the technical divisions and country offices in WHO/Europe in their work towards achieving the goals set by the WHO European Programme of Work. FCA delivers continuous guidance, review, capacity building and oversight of financial transactions, policies and procedures. FCA also ensures compliance with financial regulations and rules, policies and procedures and maintains internal controls in order to effectively discharge WHO’s accountability obligations to Member States and donors.

Summary of Assigned Duties:

To advise the Director, Business Operations and senior managers in WHO/Europe on all financial matters and the appropriate use of financial resources in the Regional Office, Country Offices and all other offices in Europe. To oversee staff health insurance services from the Regional Office.

Key duties:

Under the guidance of the Director, Business Operations:

• Leads results and performance by a regional team, in their responsibilities for the financial management of the WHO Programme Budget, awards, income and expenditure variance analysis, imprest management, annual / biennium closure, quality assurance on transactions, Direct Financial Cooperation/Grant Letter of Agreement assurance activities and Staff Health Insurance.
• Advises senior management and budget centre managers on financial management and controls towards meeting key performance indicators. Provides authoritative advice on complex questions involving interpretation of rules and regulations.
• Manages the timely coordination and responses to all internal and external audits. Monitors the implementation of audit recommendations. Informs senior management of systemic or policy-related problems and proposes solutions.
• Ensures timely annual and biennial closure of regional accounts for submission to Headquarters.
• Reviews, finalizes and presents for senior management the financial (and other) reports to WHO governing bodies, Members States, donor agencies etc.
• Acts as authorized signatory officer on all WHO/Europe banking and financial documents.
• Liaises with WHO Headquarters Staff Health Insurance and with its Global Standing Committee, towards efficiencies in service to WHO/Europe staff members.
• Recommends improvements to WHO policies and procedures. Formulates and presents positions on new/amended policies and procedures, in consultation with Headquarters and Regional Offices. Represents WHO/Europe in consultations with national authorities on matters related to finance.
• Designs innovative approaches adapted to the operational context of WHO/Europe to strengthen financial controls and systems, internal oversight and staff capacity building. Ensures collaboration and communication among managers and staff with finance-related duties.
• Acts as a role-model for WHO values. Leads and guides staff members on their individual performance, teamwork and well-being. Encourages continuous learning and identifies best practices.
• Perform other managerial or analytical duties as assigned.

Competencies:

• Teamwork
• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
• Communication
• Ensuring effective use of resources
• Producing results
• Creating an empowering and motivating environment

Functional Knowledge and Skills:

• Demonstrated supervisory, leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Comprehensive knowledge of principles and practices of international accounting and management skills. Good working knowledge of IAS, IPSAS and UNSAS.
• Integrity, tact, discretion, and ability to recommend and interpret financial policies and systems.
• Leadership and effective working relationships within a team with multi-cultural backgrounds in a multi-disciplinary management environment. High standard of personal conduct.
• Ability to effectively maintain and contribute to a global network of finance professionals.
• Ability to identify and harness one’s emotions and apply them to tasks; and the ability to manage emotions, which includes both regulating one’s own emotions when necessary and helping others to do the same.

Educational Qualifications:

Essential:

Advanced university degree in finance, accounting, business or public administration, or related field. Professional accounting qualification such as CPA, CA, ACCA or equivalent.

Experience:

Essential:

A minimum of ten years' experience in the areas of financial management including supervisory experience in an international environment.

Experience in the preparation of analytical financial reports and their clear presentation to senior management.

Demonstrated accounting experience using ERP systems.

Desirable:

Relevant work experience in managing teams within WHO, the United Nations or other international organizations.

Use of Language Skills:

Expert knowledge of English required.

Working/intermediate knowledge of either French, Russian or German desirable.

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 92,731 (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 1,800.53 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 prides itself on a workforce that adheres to the highest ethical and professional standards and that is committed to put the WHO Values Charter into practice.
• WHO has zero tolerance towards sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct (i.e., discrimination, abuse of authority and harassment). All members of the WHO workforce have a role to play in promoting a safe and respectful workplace and should report to WHO any actual or suspected cases of SEA, sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct. To ensure that individuals with a substantiated history of SEA, sexual harassment or other types of abusive conduct are not hired by the Organization, WHO will conduct a background verification of final candidates.
• 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.
• For WHO General Service staff who do not meet the minimum educational qualifications, please see e-manual III. 4.1, para 220.