Comptroller and Director, Division of Finance and Management - (D-2), FT, NYHQ, USA

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfil their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, commitment.

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programs, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favoritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life — in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions — her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfill their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations.

Strategic office context:

The Division of Financial and Administrative Management (DFAM) under the leadership of the UNICEF Comptroller is responsible for maintaining a sound system of internal controls and leading financial reforms; budget formulation and planning, including performance and financial risk management; and the establishment of systems to ensure effective and efficient use of resources and the safeguarding of UNICEF assets.

Purpose for the job:

Under the overall authority of the Executive Director and under the oversight of the Deputy Executive Director-Management, the Comptroller will direct and manage the organization’s global financial, budget, accounting and administrative management operations and contribute to senior management decision-making to help ensure UNICEF effectively lives up to its mandate to protect the rights of every child worldwide.

The Comptroller plays an integral role in ensuring that UNICEF is an effective, efficient organization for children in a rapidly changing world. The ability to provide a clear vision for financial and administrative oversight, authoritative advice and dedication to financial performance are essential to this role. The Comptroller will set new financial and operational standards, transforming UNICEF’s performance and impact with an agile operating model. As threats to children intensify globally, the Comptroller will play a vital role in ensuring organizational resilience and enable UNICEF to adapt more nimbly to increasingly complex operating contexts.

This position is available from December 2026.

How can you make a difference?

The Comptroller’s key functions and accountabilities include:

• Monitors UNICEF’s financial performance to ensure achievement of global organizational objectives and goals. Develops, implements, and ensures adherence to global financial, accounting, budgetary and administrative policies and procedures.
• Establishes internal control mechanisms, performance standards, and measurements to ensure the organisation's assets are protected, resources are efficiently and effectively utilised, and all operational transactions are in accordance with the UN/UNICEF Financial Regulations and Rules.
• Formulates and implements strategic risk management approaches in conjunction with the DED Management and Chief Risk Officer. In particular, working with regional offices, shifts organizational culture from post facto risk management to ex ante corporate risk management.
• Formulates the organization's financial plans and participates in the formulation of the strategic plans and integrated budget. Proposes liquidity policy to the Executive Director and monitors its application to minimize risk and maximize utilization of resources.
• Directs and supervises the activities of the Division of Financial and Administrative Management (DFAM) and provides financial guidance to senior management on financial, accounting, budget and administrative matters throughout the organization.
• Oversees the Global Strategic Operations function, supporting Regional and Country offices, ensuring collaboration from all levels within the organization and providing technical support and direction.
• Manages and approves financial operations related to the organization's assets and liabilities, revenue, and expenses. Directs the opening and management of all UNICEF bank accounts and authorizes transfer and payment of funds. Decides, with the advice of a UNICEF Financial Advisory Committee, on the investment of funds. Monitors return on investments and take action to minimize investment risk.
• Ensures compliance with relevant financial accountability requirements and timely and reporting to Governing Bodies, Donors and UNICEF management. Develops and ensures adherence to accounting policies.
• Oversees the preparation and utilization of the institutional budget. In collaboration with relevant divisions, monitors the allocation and implementation of the programme and private sector budgets.
• Contribute to the identification and formulation of innovative financing modalities in collaboration with UNICEF’s Partnerships teams.
• Advises the Office of the Executive Director on the development of broad organizational operational objectives and policy issues. Ensures issuance of operational and financial policies and their consistent application throughout the Organization.
• Contributes to financial planning and level of UNICEF expenditures and activities based on available and expected resources. Monitors and reports financial results in relation to budget plans.
• Oversight of global premises, fleet management and travel, including eco-sustainability and accessibility, and business continuity.
• Serves as Chairperson of the Contract Review Committee (CRC) and the Insurance and Property Survey Board, which monitors UNICEF's self-insurance scheme and approves purchase of commercial insurance.
• Coordinates all relations of UNICEF with the United Nations Board of Auditors and other UN bodies as needed.
• Act for the Deputy Executive Director (Management) as required. Participates in UNICEF Executive Board meetings, providing guidance and advice to the Executive Director on financial and budgetary matters.
• Provides authoritative advice and decisions along with principles for new guidelines related to financial management.
• Contribute to improved ERM discourse and decision-making.

To view the complete job description, please visit here.

To qualify as a champion for every child you will have…

Qualifications:

• Advanced university degree in finance, accounting, business administration, or a related field and internationally recognized professional certification (e.g., CPA, CA, ACCA or equivalent) is required. Knowledge of IPSAS, IFRS or GAAP is highly desirable. A first-level university degree in similar fields in combination with two additional years of qualifying relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
• At least 15 years of professional financial management experience at a senior level in large organizations. Previous experience with the United Nations or international organizations with operations in humanitarian or development context is an asset.
• Fluency in English required. Knowledge of another UN working language is desired.

Person Profile:

• Background and knowledge of reporting implications of innovative and structured finance instruments is highly desirable.
• Proven record of progressively responsible leadership experience in financial management and accounting.
• Strong leadership and people management skills to lead large teams and collaborate with internal and external stakeholders.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills to effectively convey financial information and insights to stakeholders.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

Competencies

• Builds and maintains partnerships (level III)

• Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness (level III)

• Drive to achieve results for impact (level III)

• Innovates and embraces change (level III)

• Manages ambiguity and complexity (level III)

• Thinks and acts strategically (level III)

• Works collaboratively with others (level III)

• Nurtures, leads and manages people (level III)

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

Remarks:

UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.

UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.

As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.

UNICEF is committed to fostering an inclusive, representative, and welcoming workforce.

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.

In this role, you will collaborate with colleagues across multiple locations. For effective collaboration, we encourage flexible working hours that accommodate different time zones while prioritizing staff wellbeing.

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

Humanitarian action is a cross-cutting priority within UNICEF’s Strategic Plan. UNICEF is committed to stay and deliver in humanitarian contexts. Therefore, all staff, at all levels across all functional areas, can be called upon to be deployed to support humanitarian response, contributing to both strengthening resilience of communities and capacity of national authorities.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.