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

The Position:

The Chief, Accounts position is part of the Finance Branch of the Division for Management Services. 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.

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 who will defend them courageously and with full conviction.

UNFPA is seeking candidates who transform, inspire, and deliver high-impact and sustained results and ensure effective external relations, communications, and 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:

The Chief, Accounts will oversee the Data Management Unit (DMU), the Statutory Reporting Unit (SRU) and the Revenue and Donor Reporting Unit (RDRU) and work in partnership with other units of the Finance Branch (Global Monitoring and Advisory Team, Accounting and Payments Unit (APU) as well as the Information Technology Solutions Office (ITSO), the Resource Mobilization Branch (RMB), the Supply Chain Management Unit (SCMU), and colleagues in field offices. You will report directly to the Chief, Finance Branch. This role ensures an efficient and effective financial operations framework is in place, including policies, systems and processes that are aligned with UNFPA’s mission and regulations and enable an agile operating environment.

You would be responsible for:

1. Strategic management and HR management

• Provide strategic and timely advice to the Chief, Finance Branch on high priority technical areas and staff engagement, and deputize as needed.
• Actively participate as part of the Branch Senior Management Team and as part of the broader DMS Management Team.
• Contribute to the strategic direction of the Finance Branch and facilitate and report on an inclusive branch annual workplan in line with the UNFPA Strategic Plan
• Oversee and manage the DMU, SRU and RDRU teams, including performance management, career progression and professional growth of team members.

2. Partnerships, Knowledge management, Communication and Training

• Maintain active and positive relationships with key partners for the Finance branch, including ITSO, DER, SCMU, and the wider UNFPA operations community.
• Provide quality guidance to field offices and HQ Units; and oversee the Branch responsiveness through the global service desk.
• Contribute to communication, training and knowledge transfer within the branch and more broadly within UNFPA on accounting topics, including IT systems under the purview of the Finance Branch.

3. Innovation, Policy, Process and systems efficiency

Working with the Team Leads:

• Oversee branch business efficiency and effectiveness innovations with an emphasis on management by exception and technology solutions
• Ensure the ERP and related systems are adapted for new IPSAS standards adopted by UNFPA.
• Maintain the policies of the Finance Branch, and update as required, including for accounting policies

4. Financial Accounting, Period end closure activities and Statutory Reporting

• Represent the Finance Branch in working fora, including the UN Task Force on Accounting Standards.

Working with the Team Leads:

• As the owner of the UNFPA General Ledger, ensure the regular analysis and adjustment of general ledger accounts within materiality;
• Implement second line controls in accounting within the UNFPA risk and control framework.
• Monitor the periodic, synchronized financial closure of all ERP modules
• Lead the organization wide periodic financial closure processes
• Oversee and quality assure the UNFPA Financial Statement preparation process in accordance with the International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) and data in the organisation’s ERP, ensure statutory deadlines are met.
• Produce required Executive Board report/s under the purview of the Finance Branch.
• Manage and certify external financial reporting such as for the UN Chief Executive Board, (CEB), Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), as well as annual certified donor reporting in line with donor agreements.
• Manage branch engagement with the external auditors, including timely response and resolution to audit queries and recommendations under the purview of the Finance Branch.

5. Treasury management including cash flow, banking, foreign currency and investments.

Working with the RDRU Team lead:

• Oversee the relationship with the UN Agency providing treasury services to UNFPA in accordance with the Service Level Agreement, including cash flow, foreign currency and investment management.
• Oversee the banking operations of UNFPA, including resolution of cash flow and banking issues in humanitarian and complex operating contexts.
• Lead the ongoing exploration and innovation of technologies in the banking sector and with other UN Agencies for digital payments and other disbursement solutions

6. Business continuity management

Working with the RDRU Team lead:

• Oversee the timely application and management of contributions receivables, cash deposits, cash flow and treasury investments.

Working with the DMU Team lead:

• Oversee the timely set up and maintenance of financial master data, and ERP system administration.
• Oversee the provision of quality assured data and global data sets as required.

7. Other duties

Perform other duties as required by the Chief, Finance Branch and / or UNFPA Leadership.

Qualifications and Experience:

Education:

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

Knowledge and Experience:

• At least 10 years of progressively responsible experience in financial accounting and statutory reporting positions at multinational organizations, with a minimum of 5 years in a supervisory role.
• Progressively responsible experience of supervision of staff and positive engagement and relationship management with field based colleagues and headquarters focal points.
• Demonstrated experience developing and implementing practical and risk based financial policies and procedures (with a strong emphasis on IPSAS based accounting policies), and managing a positive change environment including communication and training.
• Demonstrated experience in interpreting accounting standards and developing compliant and practical accounting policies.
• Demonstrated experience in financial accounting and statutory reporting in accordance with International Public Sector Accounting Standards or International Financial Reporting Standards for a global, complex organisation.
• Experience in maintaining and managing ERP system applications, preferably Oracle, including the development and use of data reporting and analytics tools.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills. Able to solicit and listen to client feedback, design business processes to balance control needs and efficiency and to translate business requirements into logical systems specifications.
• In-depth understanding of financial management and operations processes in the United Nations, including complex development and humanitarian locations, is desirable

Languages:

Fluency in English is required; knowledge of other official UN languages, especially French, is highly 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:

• Technical accounting policy and implementation,
• Statutory financial reporting,
• Developing ICT applications,
• Managing teams for performance,
• Implementing change for impact

Managerial Competencies:

• Providing strategic vision and focus,
• Engaging internal/external partners and stakeholders,
• 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.