Chief, Accounts, Finance Branch, Division for Management Services, New York, P-5

Organizational Context

The Finance Branch, within UNFPA's Division for Management Services, leads global finance operations, accounting policies, and treasury services. It ensures financial systems align with IPSAS standards and plays a crucial role in resource management and reporting. UNFPA is the UN agency dedicated to delivering a world where every pregnancy is intended, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled, aligning with the ICPD Programme of Action and SDGs.

Job Purpose

The Chief, Accounts will lead the Data Management Unit, Statutory Reporting Unit, and Revenue and Donor Reporting Unit, reporting to the Chief of the Finance Branch. This role is pivotal in establishing and maintaining an efficient and effective financial operations framework, including policies, systems, and processes that support UNFPA's mission and regulatory requirements. The position ensures alignment with UNFPA's strategic objectives and fosters an agile operating environment by collaborating with various internal and external stakeholders to optimize financial management and reporting.

Responsibilities

The Chief, Accounts is responsible for strategic and HR management, providing advice to the Chief of Finance, participating in management teams, and contributing to the branch's strategic direction and workplan. This includes overseeing and managing assigned teams, fostering their professional growth. The role involves building partnerships with key stakeholders, providing guidance to field offices and HQ units, and contributing to knowledge transfer on accounting topics and IT systems. Emphasis is placed on driving innovation, policy development, and process efficiency, ensuring ERP systems are updated for IPSAS standards and maintaining/updating financial policies. Key duties include overseeing financial accounting, period-end closures, and statutory reporting, managing the UNFPA General Ledger, implementing controls, and ensuring the accurate preparation of financial statements and external reports. Treasury management, including cash flow, banking, and investments, is also a core responsibility, alongside business continuity and managing financial master data within the ERP system.

Work Experience

Requires at least 10 years of progressive experience in financial accounting and statutory reporting in multinational organizations, with a minimum of 5 years in a supervisory role. Demonstrated experience in developing and implementing risk-based financial policies and procedures, managing change, and interpreting accounting standards (IPSAS/IFRS) is essential. Experience with ERP systems, preferably Oracle, and strong analytical and problem-solving skills are necessary. Familiarity with UN financial management processes is desirable.

Skills

Core competencies include integrity, commitment to UNFPA, cultural diversity, embracing change, achieving results, accountability, professional expertise, analytical and strategic thinking, teamwork, and effective communication. Functional skills encompass technical accounting policy and implementation, statutory financial reporting, ICT application development, team management, and change implementation. Managerial competencies include strategic vision, stakeholder engagement, leadership, and decision-making.

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