Director, Finance Division

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING APPLICATION DEADLINE: please note that the deadline for applications is indicated in local time as per the time zone of the applicant’s location.

1. Organizational Context

a. Organizational Setting

This role is leading the Finance Division which is located in the Department of Program Planning and Finance in the Administration, Finance and Management Sector. The Division provides services to a diverse universe of global IP stakeholders, including a global network of national IP offices, private sector companies, entrepreneurs, startups and SMEs that seek international protection of their IP and Member States. WIPO's key financial strategies include driving growth through enhancing the services and customer experience delivered to fee-paying customers, driving excellence in financial operations and reporting, investing prudently and ensuring a high degree of transparence, accountability and integrity to provide assurance to its governing and oversight bodies.

b. Purpose Statement

As Director of the Division, the incumbent is responsible for co-creating, with the CFO, a vision for the future of finance, driving technology strategies that will transform the work of the Finance Division, embedding and maturing AI/ data analytics capabilities and data-driven decision making, planning and managing the work and resources of the Division, mentoring and motivating the teams, leading the digital transformation of financial business processes through the ERP initiative in close cooperation with key business process owners across the Organization. Ensuring customer-centric payment services to WIPO's fee-paying customers and Member States, strategic engagement with Member States and oversight bodies, managing risks and continuously improving internal controls within financial operations will be at the core of the Director's responsibilities.

c. Reporting Lines

The incumbent works under the supervision of the Director of the Department of Program Planning and Finance (Controller) and collaborates very closely with colleagues involved with Planning and Budgeting, Management Reporting, Human Resources Management, Enterprise Risk Management, Governance and Compliance, Procurement, Travel and Buildings.

2. Duties and Responsibilities

The incumbent will perform the following principal duties:

Vision and Roadmap
Co-create (with the CFO) a vision for continuous innovation and transformation:
a. Provide process change thought leadership and execution, building new capabilities to re-envision processes and operationalizing new ways of working.
b. Continuously explore and evaluate innovative finance technology solutions, emerging technologies, industry trends, and best practices in finance that can transform finance work.
c. Ensure finance functional strategy aligns fully with the overall business strategy of the Organization's transformation goals.
d. Build a roadmap for Finance transformation.

Operating Model Redesign, ERP Transformation and Change Management
e. Redesign the finance operating model based on the opportunities enabled by technology and automation, ensuring alignment with business objectives and best practices.
f. Drive the implementation of the new operating model, managing change and ensuring seamless integration across the finance function.

Lead the digital and ERP transformation of the Finance Division
g. including the redesign of the operating model, adoption of new and emerging technologies such as AI, focusing on the re- engineering of business processes based on a transformation vision and goals and best practice. Champion automation to minimize manual effort, increase the speed and accuracy of the accounting close and all accounting processes and digitalize internal controls.

Drive coordinated change management across finance
h. Ensure smooth adoption of the new finance operating model and create clear paths to align new ways of working to it.
i. Deliver comprehensive training and support to finance staff to bolster their proficiency in leveraging new technologies and processes.
j. Work closely with key stakeholders in and outside of finance to foster a culture of continuous adherence and improvement of key financial systems and processes.
k. Take a people-centered approach to build awareness of how individuals and teams respond to change.

Partnerships and Collaboration
l. Proactively build and maintain strong partnerships with the full range of stakeholders, users and governance and oversight entities which would include all business areas (Global IP Systems, Academy, Arbitration and Mediation Center etc.), management functions such as Planning, Budgeting, Procurement and HR, WIPO Coordination Offices, Member States, other UN and international organizations, national IP offices, individual, private and institutional clients, etc. to ensure quality services, sharing of financial knowledge and information and the design of solutions to complex financial services issues and challenges.

Day-to-day Management
m. Direct the Division's portfolio of work and take overall management responsibility for its human and financial resources, determining priorities and allocating resources for the timely and quality delivery of work products in accordance with commitments and the results-based management framework; monitor operational performance levels, identify future skills requirements and proactively manage the talent needs through a plan to address workforce gaps through development initiatives including mobility and recruitment; ensure staff are informed of their duty to report potential fraud/abuse/misconduct.
n. Lead the development, review and continuous update of accounting policies, ensuring alignment with current professional accounting standards and compliance with WIPO's Financial Regulations and Rules (FRR), the International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS), and the conventions, agreements or treaties relating to the Unions of WIPO; working with inter-agency fora to influence the development and evolution of standards applicable to UN agencies.
o. Identify and manage financial risks ensuring effective mitigation actions and internal controls; ensure that fraud risks are identified and appropriate action is taken towards fraud prevention and detection.
p. Provide substantive technical leadership and advice on all finance/accounting matters for WIPO and UPOV, Funds in Trust (FITs), and retirement funds, leveraging data-driven insights and digital tools to support decision-making and reporting.
q. Direct accounting close and ensure timely delivery of quality financial statements and reports leveraging digital tools and data analytics, to Management, the External Auditor, the Internal Auditor and the Independent Advisory and Oversight Committee; respond to audit comments and recommendations and follow up on implementation; manage the formulation and evaluation of regular and ad hoc financial reports used by other divisions and by senior management.
r. Oversee treasury and investment management functions and lead strategic engagement with banking partners and negotiation of services provided (cash management, foreign exchange, etc.).
s. Direct the preparation and review of financial management reports and documents for presentation at governing bodies of the Organization and senior level meetings, including international and inter-agency meetings; represent the Organization at such events and provide authoritative advice.
t. Perform other job-related duties as required.

3. Requirements

Education (Essential)

Advanced university degree in accounting, finance, or a relevant subject. A first-level university degree in any subject with two years of relevant professional experience in addition to the 15 years as referenced in the section "Experience" below.
Professional accounting qualifications, such as ACA, CPA, etc.

Education (Desirable)

Active membership of a Professional accounting body.
Certification that evidences comprehensive knowledge of applicable accounting standards.
Professional certification in Treasury Management.

Experience (Essential)

At least 15 years of professional experience in the financial and / or accounting field, of which at least seven years at the international level; professional experience acquired as part of the professional accountant qualification will be counted as relevant experience.
Substantial managerial experience, including managing multi-cultural teams.
Demonstrated experience in contributing substantively to finance digital transformation and ERP implementation projects, including change management.
Experience in building strong partnerships within and outside the Organization.

Experience (Desirable)

Experience in the use of data to drive decisions and policies.
Experience in advancing the maturity of risk management and internal controls systems.
Experience in delivering quality services to private sector customers.
Experience in interacting and engaging with Boards, Shareholders or Governing Bodies on financial reports, matters and issues.
Experience in leading Finance transformation projects enabled by ERP and AI technologies.

Language (Essential)

Excellent written and spoken English.

Language (Desirable)

Knowledge of other UN official languages; French would be useful.

Job Related Competencies (Essential)

Proven competence in problem solving; devising methods and solutions to address business needs.
Sound knowledge of ERP systems, in particular in the accounting, finance and budgetary fields.
Project management methodology knowledge: Familiarity with project management methodologies (e.g., agile, lean) and how to apply them to Finance value streams.
Technology vendor management: Ability to manage technology vendor relationships including segmentation, onboarding, offboarding, defining performance and relationship expectations, and identifying and mitigating risks.
Excellent managerial skills and ability to provide leadership and motivate staff.
Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing; presentation skills.
Influential collaboration
- Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills to build relationships with key stakeholders across the organization.
- Confidence in asking for the appropriate level of finance transformation resources and authority to evolve the finance operating model.
Proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives and accountability in delivering results.
Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to maintain effective partnerships and working relations in a multi-cultural environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.
Digital and data fluency.

4. Organizational Competencies

1. Communicating effectively.

2. Showing team spirit.

3. Demonstrating integrity.

4. Valuing diversity.

5. Producing results.

6. Showing service orientation.

7. Seeing the big picture.

8. Seeking change and innovation.

9. Developing yourself and others.

5. Information

Mobility: WIPO staff members are international civil servants subject to the authority of the Director General and may be assigned to any activities, office or duty station of the Organization. Accordingly, the selected candidate may be required to move from time to time to new functions and/or to another duty station.

Annual salary:

Total annual salary consists of a net annual salary (net of taxes and before medical insurance and pension fund deductions) in US dollars and a post adjustment. Please note that this estimate is for information only. The post adjustment multiplier (cost of living allowance) is variable and subject to change (increase or decrease) without notice. The figures quoted below are based on the June 2026 rate of 86.8%

D1

Annual salary

$106,023

Post adjustment

$92,028

Total Salary

$198,051

Currency USD

Salaries and allowances are paid in Swiss francs at the official rate of exchange of the United Nations.

Please refer to WIPO’s Staff Regulation and Rules for detailed information concerning salaries, benefits and allowances.

Additional Information

* Initial period of two years, renewable, subject to satisfactory performance. No fixed-term appointment or any extension hereof shall carry with it any expectancy of, nor imply any right to, (further) extensions or conversion to a permanent appointment.

This vacancy announcement may be used to fill other posts at the same grade with similar functions in accordance with Staff Rule 4.9.5.

Applications from qualified women as well as from qualified nationals of unrepresented Member States of WIPO and underrepresented geographical regions are encouraged. Please click on the following links for the list of unrepresented Member States and the list of underrepresented regions and the WIPO Member States in these regions.

The Organization reserves the right to make an appointment at a grade lower than that advertised.

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By completing an application, candidates understand that any willful misrepresentation made on this web site, or on any other documents submitted to WIPO during the application, may result in disqualification from the recruitment process, or termination of employment with WIPO at a later date, if that employment resulted from such willful misrepresentations.

In the event that your candidature is shortlisted, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of your identification and the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. WIPO recognizes higher educational qualifications obtained from institutions accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list maintained by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed here: http://www.whed.net/. Some higher educational qualifications may not be listed in WHED, and will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Additional testing/interviewing may be used as a form of screening. Initial appointment is subject to satisfactory professional references.

Additional background checks may be required.