Job Description

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. 

For the purpose of this vacancy, the following are considered first-tier candidates:

  1. Internal candidates
  2. 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 overall supervision of the Deputy Regional Director (Management) and direct supervision of the Regional Financial Comptroller (RFC), the Regional Finance and Budget Officer oversees and provides strategic and technical support to IOM activities and provides support to all IOM Country Offices (COs) within the Region on budgeting, accounting, and other related financial, budgetary, and administrative functions.

Responsibilities

  1. Provide firstline support and guidance to COs within the Region on IOM’s policies and procedures relating to budget, finance, accounting, and treasury, with the view to increasing their effectiveness while considering the specific regional and local context. 

  2. Facilitate compliance of the COs in the Region with the applicable IOM rules and regulations in the area of general administration and finance in coordination with the Regional Financial Comptroller.

  3. Monitor and guide the financial management-related practices and control processes of IOM COs in the Region, including those relevant to the oversight of financial expenditure and accountability. Highlight any anomalies, non-compliance, or unusual practices to the Regional Financial Comptroller, the Regional Risk and Compliance Officer, and/or the Deputy Regional Director (Management) as needed and propose adequate measures to address those and support their implementation.

  4. Review and assess budgets contained in proposals as part of the project development and endorsement process to ensure adequate coverage of all costs.

  5. Monitor and analyse the overall budgets and financial situation of COs in the Region. Work closely with Chiefs of Mission/Heads of Office (COMs/HoOs) and Resource Management Officers (RMOs) to prepare annual budget submissions, to enable early detection of changes in financial trends, and to analyse variances between budget and actual expenditure with a view to timely corrective action. Propose budget control process improvements as relevant, in coordination with the Regional Financial Comptroller.

  6. Facilitate the timely and accurate recording of financial transactions by the COs in the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system of IOM, with high attention to using appropriate allocation of costs to project, Work Breakdown Structure (WBS), and General Ledger (GL) accounts.

  7. Advise and provide guidance and support the COs in the preparation of donor financial reports in accordance with IOM’s regulations and established procedures and support the COs in the orderly conduct of project audits/verifications.

  8. Guide the COs on the monitoring and implementation of internal controls to prevent fraud and mismanagement, and undertake visits to the COs under the responsibility of the Regional Office (RO) and check the application of the internal controls. Provide support to COs to regularly review their procedures and workflows to ensure efficiency and compliance.

  9. Provide first-line support, guidance, and training to the resources management and/or other staff in the Region regarding the ERP system and other institutional technological solutions relevant to the area of expertise.

  10. Monitor and oversee the financial management activities of the RO, including oversight of financial expenditure, accountability, and projectization of staff.

  11. Provide guidance on preparation for internal and external audits and support IOM’s preparedness and responsiveness in close coordination with the Project Managers and Country Offices and Regional Office management. 

  12. Carry out verification visits to the COs and review, validate, and report on the findings, and provide recommendations on how to address the shortcomings. Share the report with relevant colleagues in RO, including the Regional Financial Comptroller, and when necessary, with relevant Units in Headquarters (HQ).

  13. Guide the COs on the implementation of the Compliance Control Self-Assessment Tool, development of the Risk Register Matrix, and other risk assessment and management-related tools, and ensure the COs comply with them in coordination with the Regional Risk and Compliance Officer.

  14. Guide and support the COs on the financial aspects of United Nations (UN) engagement, financial reporting of the United Nations Country Team (UNCT), and the implementation of the UN Efficiency Agenda. This will include, but not be limited to such as UN agreements, joint programs, UN coordination levy, Business Operation System (BOS), and other areas related to the Efficiency Agenda. 

  15. Support and guide other Units (programs and offices) on matters related to IOM financial rules and regulations with a view to increasing their effectiveness.

  16. Act as Officer-in-Charge (OiC) for the RFC during the RFC’s absence.

  17. Perform any other duties as assigned. 

Qualifications

Required Qualifications and Experience

Education

  • Master’s degree, preferably in Finance, Accounting, Public Administration, Business Administration, or a related field from an accredited academic institution with seven years of relevant experience; or,

  • University degree in the above fields with nine years of relevant professional experience.
  • Professional certificate as a Chartered Accountant, or equivalent, is an advantage.

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

Experience

  • Minimum of five years of progressively evolving experience in financial management with responsibilities for accounting, financial reporting, budgeting, treasury, and financial analysis; 

  • Experience and an active role in donor financial reporting, audits, accounting controls, and risk management are required. Experience at the field office level is desired;

  • Proven experience in effectively managing a team; and,

  • Experience with internal control assessments and financial risk management.

Skills

  • Features good communication, exceptional people management, and strong interpersonal skills;

  • Knowledge of IOM and/or UN financial regulations, policies, procedures, and practices is desired;

  • Successful track record in remotely managing teams and functions, including highly decentralized financial and accounting practices;

  • High level of computer literacy with proven ability to conceptualize business requirements for technological improvements related to the area of finance;

  • Advanced analytical and financial reporting skills;

  • Knowledge of the Region is an advantage;

  • Proficient in English with excellent drafting skills; and,

  • Demonstrated ability to innovate and manage transitions.

Languages

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

Working knowledge of another official UN languages (Arabic, Chinese, Russian, and 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 – behavioural indicators Level 3

  • 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 – behavioural indicators Level 3

  • 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, and any residency or visa requirements. Vacancies close at 23:59 local time in 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 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.

IOM only accepts duly completed applications submitted through the IOM WAVE system (for internal candidates, link here). The online tool also allows candidates to track the status of their application. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. For further information and other job postings, you are welcome to visit our website: IOM Careers and Job Vacancies.

Required Skills

Job info

Contract Type: Fixed-term (1 year with possibility of extension)
Org Type: Regional Office
Vacancy Type: Vacancy Notice
Recruiting Type: Professional
Grade: P-4
Is this S/VN based in an L3 office or in support to an L3 emergency response?: No
At Impactpool we do our best to provide you the most accurate info, but closing dates may be wrong on our site. Please check on the recruiting organization's page for the exact info. Candidates are responsible for complying with deadlines and are encouraged to submit applications well ahead.
Before applying, please make sure that you have read the requirements for the position and that you qualify. Applications from non-qualifying applicants will most likely be discarded by the recruiting manager.