Chief of Global Accounting (P)

IOM - UN Migration; Genf; On-site; CHF 200,000 - 320,000; Full time

Job summary

IOM is seeking a Chief of Global Accounting to oversee IPSAS-compliant statutory and project financial reporting, global accounting operations, and the consolidation of accounts across offices worldwide. The role requires strategic leadership, IFRS/IPSAS proficiency, and strong ERP and data analytics capabilities.

The position reports to the Comptroller/Director of DFAM and leads a global team, ensuring timely financial statements, digitised reporting solutions, and alignment with UN accounting

Qualifications

• Ten years of progressively evolving leadership in financial management within multinational/international organizations.
• Experience defining accounting requirements for ERP systems and related financial reporting solutions.
• Experience with internal control assessments, financial risk management and external audit engagements.

Responsibilities

• Lead the timely preparation of the organization’s annual financial statements in line with IPSAS and IFRS.
• Oversee updating accounting protocols to reflect IPSAS changes and alignment with UN practices.
• Lead management reporting using BI tools and ensure clear, decision-oriented guidance for senior management.

Skills

IPSAS knowledge

IFRS knowledge

Leadership

Financial reporting

ERP systems

Data analytics

Education

Master's degree in Accounting/Finance

University degree in Accounting/Finance

CA/CPA/ACCA or equivalent

Tools

ERP systems

BI/reporting tools

Job description

Job Description

This position is designated as "non-rotational" and is not subject to mandatory rotation. However, it is subject to an assignment length of five years.

Introduction

Established in 1951, IOM is a Related Organization of the United Nations and the leading UN agency in the field of migration. Working closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners, IOM promotes humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It saves lives and protects people on the move, drives solutions to displacement, and facilitates pathways for regular migration, while providing services and advice to governments and migrants.

IOM is committed to fostering a respectful, inclusive and supportive workplace where all employees can thrive professionally and feel valued. By creating such an environment, IOM aims to better harness the full potential of migration and strengthen its support to people on the move.

IOM invites candidates from diverse backgrounds to apply and provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process when required. Learn more about IOM’s workplace culture at IOM workplace culture | International Organization for Migration

Applications are welcome from first- and second-tier candidates, particularly qualified female candidates as well as applications from the non-represented member countries of IOM. For all IOM vacancies, applications from qualified and eligible first-tier candidates are considered before those of qualified and eligible second-tier candidates in the selection process.

• Internal candidates
• External female candidates
• Candidates from the following IOM Member States that are not represented among staff members in the Professional and higher categories: Bahamas, Barbados, Comoros, Congo (the), Cook Islands, Dominica, Federated States of Micronesia, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Holy See, Iceland, Israel, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Namibia, Nauru, Palau, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Seychelles, Solomon Islands, Suriname, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, Vanuatu

Second Tier Candidates Include

All external candidates, except candidates from non-represented member states of IOM.

Organizational Context and Scope

Under the direct supervision of the Comptroller/Director of the Department of Financial and Administrative Management (DFAM), the Chief of Global Accounting leads IOM’s global accounting, statutory financial reporting and project financial report certification functions. They oversees the preparation of IOM’s statutory financial statements ensuring IPSAS compliance, management reporting on the Organization’s financial performance and position, project financial report certification and global accounting operations.

Responsibilities

• Lead the timely preparation of IOM’s annual financial statements, ensuring their quality and compliance with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Financial Regulations and International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS).
• Manage the development and updating of IOM’s accounting protocols and procedures in response to emerging operational requirements and changes in IPSAS, while pursuing alignment with United Nations (UN) accounting practices where appropriate and feasible within IOM’s financial context.
• Lead the preparation and analysis of regular and ad hoc management reports on IOM’s financial performance and position, using business intelligence tools and other reporting platforms as appropriate. Ensure that results, accounting trends, risks and control concerns and opportunities for process or cost efficiency are translated into clear, timely and decision-oriented advice for the Comptroller and Senior Management.
• Ensure that the structure and content of IOM’s annual statutory reports and financial management reports are regularly updated to reflect the evolving operational context and stakeholder requirements.
• Manage IOM’s project financial report certification process, ensuring the timely and consistent review and certification of reports in accordance with applicable organizational requirements and donor reporting obligations, and advance standardised, digitised and scalable reporting solutions.
• Oversee accounts consolidation, periodic closure and the global accounting control framework, including reconciliations, balance-sheet reviews, account ownership, review and approval arrangements, and the timely identification and resolution of material accounting issues, financial risks and accounts-quality concerns.
• Safeguard the integrity and quality of IOM’s accounting records, ensuring the timely and accurate recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses across offices worldwide, and directing corrective action where weaknesses or errors are identified.
• Oversee the accounting dimensions of IOM’s enterprise resource planning system and related financial management tools, financial master data and data flows. Ensure that accounting requirements, controls and reporting needs are appropriately incorporated into system design and process changes for all accounting processes, including accounts receivable, accounts payable, fixed assets and project accounting.
• Provide functional leadership, guidance and oversight to the relevant accounting and financial reporting functions at IOM Headquarters and within the delocalised structures of Department of Financial and Administrative Management (DFAM) and ensure appropriate guidance and oversight of field accounting functions in collaboration with Regional Offices and the delocalised Finance and Accounting Division (FAD) functions.
• Lead the continuous improvement and transformation of accounting and financial reporting processes, including standardisation, simplification, automation, data analytics, the appropriate use of emerging technologies, and the implementation of process improvements in coordination with interdependent functions across IOM.
• Ensure IOM’s readiness to adopt new accounting standards, including new IPSAS requirements, and lead their timely implementation across the Organization.
• Lead initiatives to strengthen the technical accounting and financial reporting capabilities of IOM’s global finance community. Establish priorities based on recurring accounting issues, audit findings, new IPSAS requirements and system or process changes; promote practical knowledge products and professional development; and contribute accounting expertise to DFAM-wide finance capacity-building and workforce initiatives
• Coordinate the implementation of DFAM’s annual work plan from the FAD perspective and facilitate the work of IOM’s External Auditors appointed by the Council in relation to IOM’s annual financial statements.
• Lead, manage and develop the staff under the incumbent’s supervision, establish work priorities and performance expectations, ensure the effective allocation of resources, and foster collaboration across the accounting and financial reporting functions.
• Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications and Experience

Education

• Master's degree in Accounting, Finance or a related field from an accredited academic institution with ten years of relevant professional experience; or,
• University degree in the above fields with twelve years of relevant professional experience; and,
• Professional certification as chartered accountant (CA) or certified public accountant (CPA) or membership at the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) or another recognized professional accountancy body is required.

Accredited Universities are those listed in the UNESCO World Higher Education Database.

Experience

• A minimum of ten years (twelve years for bachelor's degree holders) of progressively evolving leadership experience in financial management with responsibilities for accounting, financial reporting and financial analysis, including at corporate level, in a multinational / international organization environment;
• Demonstrated experience defining accounting requirements for, implementing or substantially improving enterprise resource planning systems and related financial reporting solutions, including financial master data, controls, data flows and process integration and,
• Demonstrated experience with internal control assessments, financial risk management and external audit engagement, including the resolution of material accounting issues and implementation of corrective actions in a complex organizational environment.

Skills

• Extensive professional knowledge of financial accounting as applied to international public organizations with experience with International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) and/or International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS);
• Knowledge of IOM and/or UN financial regulations, policies, procedures and practices is desired;
• Successful track record in a lead role played in the consolidation and production of corporate accounts and statutory financial statements under internationally recognized accounting standards for external audit;
• Successful track record in remotely managing teams and functions, including highly decentralized financial and accounting practices;
• Advanced ability to use enterprise resource planning systems, financial consolidation and reporting tools, business intelligence platforms and data analytics to oversee accounting quality, investigate issues and support management decision-making.

Languages

IOM’s official languages are English, French, and Spanish. All staff members are required to be fluent in one of the three languages.

For this position, fluency in English is required (oral and written).

Working knowledge of French and/or Spanish is an advantage.

Proficiency of language(s) required will be specifically evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments.

Required Competencies

IOM’s competency framework can be found at this link . Competencies will be assessed during the selection process.

Values

all IOM staff members must abide by and demonstrate these five values:

• Inclusion and respect for diversity: Respects and promotes individual and cultural differences. Encourages diversity and inclusion.
• Integrity and transparency: Maintains high ethical standards and acts in a manner consistent with organizational principles/rules and standards of conduct.
• Professionalism: Demonstrates ability to work in a composed, competent and committed manner and exercises careful judgment in meeting day-to-day challenges.
• Courage: Demonstrates willingness to take a stand on issues of importance.
• Empathy: Shows compassion for others, makes people feel safe, respected and fairly treated.

Core Competencies

• Teamwork: Develops and promotes effective collaboration within and across units to achieve shared goals and optimize results.
• Delivering results: Produces and delivers quality results in a service-oriented and timely manner. Is action oriented and committed to achieving agreed outcomes.
• Managing and sharing knowledge: Continuously seeks to learn, share knowledge and innovate.
• Accountability: Takes ownership for achieving the Organization’s priorities and assumes responsibility for own actions and delegated work.
• Communication: Encourages and contributes to clear and open communication. Explains complex matters in an informative, inspiring and motivational way.

Managerial Competencies

• Leadership: Provides a clear sense of direction, leads by example and demonstrates the ability to carry out the Organization’s vision. Assists others to realize and develop their leadership and professional potential.
• Empowering others: Creates an enabling environment where staff can contribute their best and develop their potential.
• Building Trust: Promotes shared values and creates an atmosphere of trust and honesty.
• Strategic thinking and vision: Works strategically to realize the Organization’s goals and communicates a clear strategic direction.
• Humility: Leads with humility and shows openness to acknowledging own shortcomings.

Notes

Internationally recruited professional staff are required to be mobile. Please refer to this link for guidance on IOM Job Category. Any offer made to the candidate in relation to this vacancy notice is subject to funding confirmation. This selection process may be used to staff similar positions in various duty stations. Recommended candidates will remain eligible to be appointed in a similar position for a period of 24 months.

Appointment will be subject to all clearances, including medical and security as well as accreditation, any residency or visa requirements. Vacancies close at 23:59 local time Geneva, Switzerland on the respective closing date. No late applications will be accepted.

IOM has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and IOM, including sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and any forms of discrimination. IOM is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children.

IOM conducts reference checks and background verification, including through system wide databases such as ClearCheck, to help ensure that candidates have no record of misconduct, including on sexual harassment, sexual exploitation and abuse, or fraud. Candidates are expected to uphold these standards and principles at all times.

IOM does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process—whether for application, interview, processing, training, or otherwise—and does not request any information related to bank accounts.

For further information and other job postings, you are welcome to visit our website: IOM Careers and Job Vacancies