Comptroller and Director of Finance

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OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME The Comptroller and Director of Finance provides substantive and strategic advice to the Director General, ADG/BOS, Regional Directors and other stakeholders. The advice is based on best practice, state-of-the-art and risk-based approaches to all aspects of financial management. Guided by integrity and transparency, the Comptroller ensures that policies and procedures are the most relevant, effective and efficient for the administration of WHO's investments, annual expenditures, preparation of financial statements and other financial reports, both internal and external. Finally, the Comptroller and Director of Finance oversees and manages accounting, including payables and receivables, statutory financial reporting, treasury, insurances and payroll for the Organization and its hosted entities and leads pensions and staff health insurance services.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

1. Oversees plans, and manages the financial accounting, reporting, income and treasury management for the Organization, including provision of certified statutory financial reporting to Member States, ensuring that latest innovative tools and approaches are in place and adhering to international standards of accounting.

2. Leads the provision of pension and staff health insurance services for the Organization and hosted entities, setting strong internal controls and ensuring that the processes are efficient, timely and accurate.

3. Analyses and forecasts the availability of financing for the Organization using modern analytical tools and provides timely transparent and user-friendly reporting of the same to senior management and other stakeholders.

4. Ensures adequate monitoring of expenditures of the Organization, and works in close consultation with all relevant stakeholders to ensure that the financial system is efficient, updated and integrated to the organization's Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system.

5. Ensures appropriate and sustainable management of WHO's liquidity within approved investment risk parameters, and safeguards the adequacy of WHO cashflow to meet operational requirements.

6. Coordinates, implements and manages the Organization's investment strategies for financial reserves (to include "AS", "TPA", Special Purpose Funds, other Fiduciary funds, to help to ensure long term financial stability in accordance with the General Programme of Work (GPW).

7. Regularly reviews, updates and maintains overall financial policy and procedure framework through the network of HQ and regional office financial managers to enhance the stewardship of assets, minimize risk and foster a strong culture of internal controls.

8. Oversees the financial functions and deliverables of the Global Services Center (GSC), including payroll, account payables and account receivables, ensuring that transactions are processed accurately, expeditiously, and in accordance with the financial rules and regulations.

9. Provides strategic recommendations and advice on financial policy issues to ADG/BOS and other senior managers on strategic financial policy issues and performs risk management duties related to finance.

10. As Comptroller, Chairs the Financial Management Council, briefing senior management on key performance indicators and actions required to improve in areas of deficiency.

11. Advises regional offices, and hosted entities, on strategic financial management issues, to include advice on appropriate staff structures, and consultation in key staff selections and objective setting.

12. Establishes and develops relations with representatives of Member States, other UN Organizations, and other partners and stakeholders on financial matters.

13. Represents the Organization externally on financial policy and management issues.

14. Coordinates with the External Auditor to ensure statutory external audits can be performed based on agreed upon accounting standards, and issues raised by the External Auditor are resolved on a timely basis.

15. Plans, directs, and evaluates the work of the department, within the delegated budget.

16. Performs all other related duties as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: Advanced university degree in financial management, business administration or a closely related field; or a first level degree in financial management, business administration or a closely related field AND with a professional certification such as CA or CPA.
Desirable: Professional certification such as CA or CPA highly desirable. Professional studies in management approaches and innovative thinking in relevant areas and in IT developments.

Experience

Essential: A minimum of 15 years of relevant and progressive experience, of which no less than 10 years at a senior decision-making level in financial management within a large multi-national or international organization. Significant senior level experience in managing and leading financial reform, financial planning, risk management, change management, internal controls and financial systems in a large-scale operation at the regional and international level. Demonstrated experience of change management and demonstrated success in introducing change into a financial management programme area, implementation of a global financial management system (such as Oracle, SAP or equivalent).
Desirable: Indepth experience of WHO or another agency of the UN system.

Skills

• Extensive knowledge of financial governance, management, treasury and financial policy development.
• Demonstrated in depth knowledge of and expertise in managing financial and investment policies.
• Strong knowledge of international accounting standards and familiarity with internal and external auditing practices.
• Demonstrated managerial skills in negotiation and advocacy, evidence of sound judgement, integrity, tact and discretion in dealing with others.
• Strong knowledge of the accounting, budgeting and financial policies and regulations which govern management within WHO and the UN system is desirable.
• Ability to manage large amounts of detail with great care and accuracy.
• Demonstrated ability to inspire others through exemplary leadership, mentorship, enthusiasm and passion for work.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, motivate and supervise multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural staff of various backgrounds and develop a team approach to issues.
• Ability to interact positively with staff at all organizational levels, officials of Member States and other UN Agencies.

WHO Competencies

• Teamwork
• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
• Communication
• Ensuring the effective use of resources
• Driving the Organization to a Successful Future
• Creating an empowering and motivating environment

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of French.

REMUNERATION

WHO salaries for staff in the Professional category are calculated in US dollars. The remuneration for the above position comprises an annual base salary starting at USD 130,477 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable), a variable post adjustment, which reflects the cost of living in a particular duty station, and currently amounts to USD 9438 per month for the duty station indicated above. Other benefits include 30 days of annual leave, allowances for dependent family members, home leave, and an education grant for dependent children.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• Staff members who have been separated as a result of the 2025 Prioritization and Realignment Process will be given special consideration.
• Special selection procedures may apply.

• This vacancy notice may be used to fill other similar positions at the same grade level.

• Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.

• A written test and/or an asynchronous video assessment may be used as a form of screening.

• In the event that your candidature is retained for an interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed through the link: http://www.whed.net/. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and will require individual review.

• According to 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. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible.

• Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to WHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and eManual.

• The Director-General retains the discretion to not make any appointment to this vacancy, to make an appointment at a lower grade, or to make an appointment with a modified job description, including shortening the duration of the appointment.

• Staff members in other duty stations are encouraged to apply.

• WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. WHO recruits and employs staff regardless of disability status, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, language, race, marital status, religious, cultural, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, or any other personal characteristics.

• WHO is committed to achieving gender parity and geographical diversity in its staff. Women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of unrepresented and underrepresented Member States (https://www.who.int/careers/diversity-equity-and-inclusion) are strongly encouraged to apply.

• Persons with disabilities may request reasonable accommodations (modifications or adjustments to the application or recruitment process) to support their participation in the application and recruitment process. Please send an email to reasonableaccommodation@who.int with your full name, the vacancy number you are applying for, and specific details of the accommodation needed in your request.

• An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential. WHO prides itself on a workforce that adheres to the highest ethical and professional standards and that is committed to put the WHO Values Charter into practice.

• WHO has zero tolerance towards sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct (i.e., discrimination, abuse of authority and harassment). All members of the WHO workforce have a role to play in promoting a safe and respectful workplace and should report to WHO any actual or suspected cases of SEA, sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct. To ensure that individuals with a substantiated history of SEA, sexual harassment or other types of abusive conduct are not hired by the Organization, WHO will conduct a background verification of final candidates.

• Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with WHO and an underlying premise of the international civil service. Candidates appointed to a fixed-term position in the International Professional category (Grades P1-D2) are eligible for Geographical Mobility and may be assigned to any activity or duty station of the Organization throughout the world.

• WHO also offers wide range of benefits to staff, including parental leave and attractive flexible work arrangements to help promote a healthy work-life balance and to allow all staff members to express and develop their talents fully.

• The statutory retirement age for staff appointments is 65 years. For external applicants, only those who are expected to complete the term of appointment will normally be considered.

• Please note that WHO's contracts are conditional on members of the workforce confirming that they are vaccinated as required by WHO before undertaking a WHO assignment, except where a medical condition does not allow such vaccination, as certified by the WHO Staff Health and Wellbeing Services (SHW). The successful candidate will be asked to provide relevant evidence related to this condition. A copy of the updated vaccination card must be shared with WHO medical service in the medical clearance process. Please note that certain countries require proof of specific vaccinations for entry or exit. For example, official proof /certification of yellow fever vaccination is required to enter many countries. Country-specific vaccine recommendations can be found on the WHO international travel and Staff Health and Wellbeing website. For vaccination-related queries please directly contact SHW directly at shws@who.int.

• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.

• For information on WHO's operations please visit: http://www.who.int.

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