Controller, Chief Financial Officer and Director

The Controller is the principal advisor to the High Commissioner and Senior Executive Team on all financial management, budget, resource allocation, accounting, treasury, financial controls, administrative management, and stewardship of organizational resources. As Director of the Division of Resource Management, the Controller provides strategic leadership and oversight of UNHCR's global financial management framework and leads modernization efforts through digital transformation and business process optimization.

Responsibilities

• Advise and assist the High Commissioner and Senior Executive Team in financial, administrative, and resource management strategies, policies, and priorities.
• Lead development, implementation, and continuous improvement of UNHCR's financial management framework aligned with organizational objectives.
• Provide strategic direction and oversight for global budgeting, resource allocation, financial planning, accounting, treasury, financial reporting, and related management processes.
• Ensure preparation and certification of UNHCR's annual financial statements in accordance with IPSAS, UN regulations, and applicable financial policies.
• Lead development and implementation of enterprise-wide financial governance, internal control, and accountability frameworks.
• Advise senior management on financial sustainability, resource mobilization implications, funding risks, and strategic resource allocation decisions.
• Oversee global treasury operations, liquidity management, banking relationships, investments, and cash forecasting activities.
• Establish and maintain effective financial risk management practices and safeguard organizational assets and resources.
• Direct development and implementation of financial policies, procedures, standards, and guidance across the Organization.
• Lead modernization of financial and administrative management through digital transformation, process simplification, automation, AI, data analytics, and innovative business solutions.
• Sponsor and oversee enterprise initiatives related to ERP systems, financial technology, management reporting, and business process improvement.
• Promote use of data, analytics, and performance information to strengthen decision-making, resource optimization, and organizational effectiveness.
• Foster culture of efficiency, accountability, service excellence, innovation, continuous improvement, and prudent stewardship.
• Direct preparation of financial analyses, management reports, and strategic recommendations for senior management, governing bodies, and donors.
• Lead organizational responses to internal and external audit findings and ensure timely implementation of agreed recommendations.
• Represent the Organization in inter-agency, donor, governmental, and external forums on financial management, governance, accountability, and organizational performance.
• Exercise authorities delegated under UNHCR's Financial Rules, Regulations, and Delegation of Authority framework.
• Manage human, financial, and technological resources of the Division and ensure effective workforce planning, talent development, succession planning, and staff engagement.
• Promote collaboration across Headquarters, Regional Bureaux, Global Service Centres, and field operations to ensure consistent application of policies, standards, and best practices.
• Lead risk assessments and discussions to proactively manage risks and seize opportunities impacting objectives, ensuring integration of risk management principles in decision-making.
• Perform other related duties as required.

Requirements

• Undergraduate degree with 18 years relevant experience; or Graduate degree with 17 years relevant experience; or Doctorate degree with 16 years relevant experience.
• Field(s) of Education: Finance, Business Administration, Accounting or other relevant field.
• Extensive and progressively responsible leadership experience in financial and administrative management within a large international, decentralized and/or multinational organization.
• At least 10 years of experience in an international capacity and in functional areas directly relevant to the position, including significant experience at Headquarters level.
• Knowledge and practical experience of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and/or International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) at Headquarters level.
• Demonstrated experience in statutory reporting, management reporting, financial governance, and internal control frameworks.
• Excellent knowledge of United Nations financial regulations, rules, procedures, and processes, as well as program planning, budgeting, resource allocation, and results-based management methodologies.
• Demonstrated mastery of management practices, organizational governance, and corporate support service delivery in a large international organization, preferably within the United Nations system.
• Experience leading organizational transformation, business process improvement, shared services, digitalization, and change management initiatives is highly desirable.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder management, negotiation, and interpersonal skills with ability to engage effectively with senior leaders and diverse staff.
• Strong digital acumen and strategic understanding of technology-enabled business transformation.
• Demonstrated experience in shaping and implementing digital strategies, leveraging enterprise platforms such as Oracle ERP, and leading large-scale transformation and change initiatives.
• Proven ability to harness data, analytics, automation, artificial intelligence, and emerging technologies to improve organizational performance and modernize business processes.
• Ability to anticipate future trends and position corporate services to meet evolving operational and business needs.
• Professional qualification in accounting (CPA or CA or equivalent) is desirable.
• Applied knowledge of UNHCR's mandate and protection principles is desirable.
• Experience at UN humanitarian or development assistance organizations is desirable.

Skills

• Finance Management
• Budgeting
• Resource Allocation
• International Financial Reporting Standards
• International Public Sector Accounting Standards
• Statutory Reporting
• Management Reporting
• Financial Governance Frameworks
• Internal Control Framework
• United Nations Financial Procedures
• Programme Planning
• Result-Based Management
• Organizational Governance
• Corporate Support Service Delivery
• Business Process Improvement
• Digital Transformation
• Change Management
• Stakeholder Management
• Negotiation
• Oracle ERP
• Data Analytics
• Automation
• Artificial Intelligence
• Technology-Enabled Business Transformation

Languages

English