Chief Financial Officer

Copenhagen

Organization: UNOPS - United Nations Office for Project Services
Location: Copenhagen
Grade: Senior Executive level - D-2, Director - Internationally recruited position
Occupational Groups:
- Banking and Finance
- Managerial positions
Closing Date: Closed

Job categories Finance, Leadership

Vacancy code VA/2023/B0004/25671

Level ICS-14

Department/office OP, FG, Finance Group

Duty station Copenhagen, Denmark

Contract type Fixed Term

Contract level D2

Duration 1 Year (One year initially, renewable subject to satisfactory performance)

Application period 28-Apr-2023 to 02-Jun-2023

Applications to vacancies must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date of the announcement.

Functional Responsibilities

Reporting to the Deputy Executive Director (DED) for Operations and Policy, the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) provides strategic and substantive guidance on financial and financial risk management to the Executive Director, DED-Operations and Policy, senior management, and all business units in UNOPS.

Under the general direction of the DED-Operations and Policy, the CFO is responsible for the strategic management of financial resources, overseeing financial forecasting, budget and cost management, and sound financial management policies and practices for the organization.

Summary of Functions:

Strategic Advisory
People Leadership
Financial Management and Control
Representation and Partnership
Knowledge Management and Innovation

Strategic Advisory

Provide strategic and expert advice to the DED-Operations and Policy on all financial matters, including representation where appropriate at various inter-agency fora.
Formulate, implement and monitor a dynamic financial framework with incentives to units and linked to results.
Advise the DED-Operations and Policy on budget execution based on high quality analytics that support critical decision-making and drive achievement of zero net revenue outcomes.
Support DED-Operations and Policy with effective prioritization of corporate and strategic initiatives, and with the creation of an enabling environment for prompt and consistent implementation of such initiatives.
Provide financial information and represent the Finance perspective to support decision-making by the senior management team

2. People Leadership

As a member of UNOPS global leadership, role model UNOPS values and behavioural competencies, and contribute to the strategic leadership in delivery and organizational culture development, in order for UNOPS to build a motivated, inclusive, collaborative and agile work environment conducive to enhancing organizational capacity to serve and to prosper.
Promote teamwork and collaboration by providing the FG team with clear direction, objectives and guidance to enable them to perform their duties responsibly, effectively and efficiently.
Plan, recruit and develop a diverse and flexible workforce with the values, skills and competencies needed to ensure optimal performance in line with UNOPS culture.
Foster a positive work environment that is respectful of all. Ensure appropriate focus on team well-being, empowerment, diversity, and inclusion and that the highest standards of conduct are observed.

3. Financial Management and Control

Lead and empower the Deputy Director and other senior members of the Finance Group in the design and delivery of an integrated platform of services, which ensures highly responsive services to clients, management and project staff while safeguarding the integrity of financial systems and resource liquidity in accordance with UNOPS policies.
Oversee the strategic financial resource management activities necessary for the functioning of the Finance Group, including inputs to the UNOPS Strategic Plan, formulation of budgets, assigning and monitoring of performance parameters and indicators, reporting on budget/programme performance, evaluation of staff performance, and timely recruitment of diverse and effective staff for the Finance Group.
Formulate and implement finance strategies and policies that support current and future directions of the organization, directing and advising to optimize the use of all financial resources and ensure the financial integrity of the organization as well as cost-effective best practice reform of financial and budgeting operations, particularly exploring the value of re-engineering, centralization and decentralization, regionalization, automation and outsourcing.
In close consultations with the Chief Information Officer (CIO) and Digital Transformation Programme Director, direct and oversee support for financial systems development and implementation in the context of a wider corporate enterprise resource planning: (i) advisory on design, configuration, testing and roll-out; (ii) co-ordination and collaboration with both internal and external stakeholders; and (iii) representation and advisory on decision making committees.
Assess the effectiveness and performance of the Finance function. Make decisions and/or recommend major changes and/ or alignment in operations to the DED-Operations and Policy to enhance and/ or maintain effectiveness.
Endorse annual targets, in accordance with the four perspectives of the UNOPS Balanced Scorecard.
Formulate high quality budgetary frameworks for the Executive Board that further build confidence of Member States in UNOPS and support the Strategic Plan.
Direct financial and administrative operations: cash management, including liquidity investment and foreign exchange activities and funding of COs and MCOs, organization accounting, administrative and financial controls, including the production of financial statements.
Ensure compliance with accounting standards and financial controls; accurate and timely financial reporting to the EB, senior management team, and other stakeholders; support for financial training/learning of both partners and personnel; and maximization of opportunities for cost-recovery.
Ensure appropriate investment strategy, as part of the Investment Committee.
Perform the roles and responsibilities of Controller as set out in UNOPS’s Financial Regulations and Rules.
Ensure statutory financial statements are accurate and prepared in compliance with the International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS).

4. Representation and Partnership

Represent UNOPS at international, regional, inter-agency meetings and networks on financial resource management.
Liaise with the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ) and the Executive Board, funding-partners, strategic partners and the financial community

5. Knowledge Management and Innovation

Lead the development and introduction of innovation with Finance to support UNOPS’s ability to continuously incorporate best practice approaches in the delivery of project services.
Ensure the dissemination and sharing of best practices and lessons learned for corporate development planning and knowledge building.
Establish priorities, in consultation with the DED- Operations and Policy, for targeted investments in growth and innovation across the Finance Group.
As a member of the UNOPS global leadership team, contribute to identification and implementation of innovation and continuous improvement in support of organizational excellence and world-class performance.

Impact of Results:

The effective and successful achievement of results by the incumbent directly impacts on effective management and operational integrity of UNOPS. Consequently, it affects the visibility and image of the UNOPS brand, as an effective service provider in project services and management, strengthening UNOPS competitive position as a partner of choice in sustainable development and project services.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education:

An advanced university degree (Master’s Degree or equivalent) preferably in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration or other relevant fields

A Bachelor Degree (or equivalent) preferably in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration or other relevant fields combined with 2 additional years of relevant work experience can be accepted in lieu of the Master’s degree is required.

An internationally accredited professional accounting qualification (e.g. CPA or other) is highly desirable.

Experience:

Progressively responsible experience in senior financial management positions for large international organizations for a minimum of 15 years.
Demonstrated success in contributing to the design and implementation of computerized financial systems.
High level of communication and interpersonal skills with demonstrated experience in managing large numbers of personnel.
Proven record of integrity and probity.
Demonstrated success in implementing major corporate change management programs is an asset.
Familiarity with international development and the UN system would be an advantage.
Developing country experience would be highly desirable.