Job Description

The Position:

The Chief, Finance Branch leads the Finance Branch (FB), a part of the Division for Management Services (DMS). The Finance Branch is responsible for leading global finance, including financial operations management, key financial and accounting policies and processes, accounting and treasury services; overseeing improvement efforts in areas of financial operations; ensuring the ERP and related financial systems are configured and functioning to manage, monitor and report on key financial processes and information, and that the Financial Statements are prepared based on the International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS). The Branch also plays a key role in the custody and distribution of financial resources, improving global financial management, monitoring of expenditures, liabilities and fund balances, and producing statutory, financial management and donor reporting.

The Chief, Finance Branch (FB) is responsible for leading, coordinating and overseeing UNFPA’s global financial management, promoting clear accountability across financial operations and reporting activities, establishing the appropriate work priorities and plans for the Branch and leading staff to their accomplishment. The position is based at UNFPA Headquarters in New York, and reports to the Comptroller and Director, Division for Management Services (DMS).

The role is particularly challenging given the nature of the decentralized organization and because activities are conducted in very challenging environments.

How you can make a difference:

UNFPA is the lead United Nations agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is intended, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. The UNFPA Strategic Plan for 2026-2029 articulates the organization’s response to a complex global environment, providing a roadmap for resilience and renewal. It is designed to accelerate the implementation of the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. This mandate is pursued through a focus on four interconnected outcomes: ending the unmet need for family planning; ending preventable maternal deaths; ending gender-based violence and harmful practices; and adapting to demographic change through evidence and rights-based policies.

In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, we need principled and ethical staff who embody these international norms and standards and will defend them courageously and with full conviction.

UNFPA is seeking candidates who transform, inspire, and deliver high-impact sustained results, ensuring effective external relations, communications, partnership-building and resource mobilization in a rapidly changing development and funding landscape. We need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them, and who commit to delivering excellence in programme results

Job Purpose:

As Chief, Finance Branch, you will lead, support and oversee a qualified multidisciplinary team of circa twenty-eight persons, to enable UNFPA to manage its financial resources and operations effectively and efficiently, ensuring the financial sustainability of the agency, in support of its role as action leader and global champion of reproductive health and rights.

You would be responsible for:

• Maintaining the UNFPA financial framework (financial regulations and rules, policies and procedures) as required to support an effective implementation of UNFPA’s strategic plans
• Supporting the regular update of the UNFPA internal control framework in response to changes in the business environment and best practice
• Contributing, as required, to risk management process activities
• Continuously enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency of the financial management processes, aligning them, where feasible, with best practice
• Ensuring the maintenance of an effective first line of controls over financial management processes
• Ensuring the timely performance of the second line of controls over financial management processes
• Providing support and advice as regards financial management matters to senior management
• Ensuring an adequate operating effectiveness of financial transactions processing and recording processes and systems
• Ensuring an effective management of UNFPA cash and bank positions, cash flows, investment portfolios and currency risk, in coordination with the United Nations Development Programme Treasury department
• Overseeing the annual financial closure process, from issuance of instructions to issuance of the financial statements
• Ensuring timely and accurate financial reporting in accordance with the International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS), including preparation of the UNFPA’s internal control and financial statements, annual financial and statistical review, and financial data for the Executive Director annual report to the Executive Board and other stakeholders
• Ensuring the timely and accurate preparation of donor financial reports, financial reports related to UNFPA’s role as administrative agent for pooled funds, specialized financial reports, and internal management reports
• Approving and monitoring allowed exceptions to financial management policies and procedures, including the use of Emergency Response Policies and Procedures
• Ensuring adequate support and advice to UNFPA’s staff and management at field offices and HQ units as regards financial management activities and the application of UNFPA’s financial framework
• Supporting donor assessments and reviews as regards financial management matters
• Leading and overseeing branch business efficiency and effectiveness innovations with an emphasis on management by exception and technology solutions
• Actively supporting the design and implementation of resource mobilization and innovative financing initiatives
• Supporting the operationalization of UN reform and efficiency initiatives
• Ensuring an adequate response to information requirements, findings and recommendations related to financial management of external and internal auditors and of external and internal oversight bodies and functions
• Representing UNFPA at conferences, meetings and inter-agency groups on financial and related matters, as needed, including the Accounting Standards Task Force
• Representing DMS Finance Branch at the Oversight Compliance and Monitoring, Oversight Advisory, Investments and other committees, as required
• Participating in inter-divisional and inter-organizational working groups and project teams, as required
• Continuously enhancing the skills and expertise of the FB staff through learning activities and on-the-job training
• Support the improvement of financial management capabilities of UNFPA finance personnel through training and other appropriate capacity building activities
• Carrying out any other duties as assigned by the Director, DMS

Qualifications and Experience:

Education:

An advanced university degree in Finance, Accounting, or a related field is required. A fully qualified professional accounting qualification from an internationally accredited institute is required, and will be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree (e.g. ACA, ACCA).

Knowledge and Experience:

• At least 15 years of progressive experience in financial management or accounting positions at multinational organizations (with a minimum of 10 years in supervisory roles)
• Detailed knowledge and experience complying with IPSAS or IFRS
• Sound understanding of internal control and risk management frameworks and processes
• In-depth understanding of financial management and operations processes in the United Nations
• In-depth understanding of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems, including financial management, accounting, and reporting functions
• Experience in implementing or supporting complex Oracle Cloud ERP system implementations is a significant advantage
• Experience in implementing corporate change management processes is a significant advantage
• Analytical capabilities combined with strong leadership, interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills

Languages:

• Fluency in English is required
• Fluency in French is a significant advantage
• Working knowledge of other official UN languages is desirable

Required Competencies:

Values:

• Exemplifying integrity
• Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system
• Embracing cultural diversity
• Embracing change

Core Competencies:

• Achieving results
• Being accountable
• Developing and applying professional expertise/business acumen
• Thinking analytically and strategically
• Working in teams/managing ourselves and our relationships
• Communicating for impact

Functional Competencies:

• Managing the organization’s financial resources
• Strengthening the financial management capacity of field offices and staff
• Ensuring compliance with the organization’s policies and procedures and internal control framework
• Analyzing complex financial management, accounting and reporting issues, applying sound technical principles, data and informed professional judgment, and presenting effective solution alternatives with a clear articulation of their risks and consequences
• Managing a diverse team of financial management professionals with a strong drive for excellence and results

Managerial Competencies:

• Providing strategic focus
• Engaging internal and external partners and stakeholders, effective change management
• Leading, developing, and empowering people/creating a culture of performance
• Making decisions and exercising judgment

Compensation and Benefits:

This position offers an attractive remuneration package including a competitive net salary plus health insurance and other benefits as applicable.

UNFPA Work Environment:

UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, diversity, integrity and healthy work-life balance. We are committed to ensuring gender parity in the organization and therefore encourage women to apply. Individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community, minority ethnic groups, indigenous populations, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups are highly encouraged to apply. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. UNFPA promotes equal opportunities in terms of appointment, training, compensation and selection for all regardless of personal characteristics and dimensions of diversity. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is at the heart of UNFPA's workforce - click here to learn more.

Disclaimer:

Selection and appointment may be subject to background and reference checks, medical clearance, visa issuance and other administrative requirements.

UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process and does not concern itself with information on applicants' bank accounts.

Applicants for positions in the international Professional and higher categories, who hold permanent resident status in a country other than their country of nationality, may be required to renounce such status upon their appointment.