Comptroller and Director, Division of Management Services (Re-advertised)

* This vacancy announcement is re-advertised to correct the job title and remove the term limit that was previously posted. Applicants who applied to the vacancy announcement for "Director, Division of Management Services" between 20 February and 5 March 2024 will continue to be considered and do not need to re-apply. 

The Position: 

The Comptroller and Director, Division of Management Services (DMS), is located at UNFPA’s headquarters in New York, and has the responsibility of leading, managing and coordinating the financial management functions and key administrative services of the organization. The Comptroller and Director, DMS, reports to the Deputy Executive Director (Management) (DED-M). DMS consists of the Finance Branch, Facilities and Administrative Services Branch, Strategic Resource Planning Branch and the Quality Management Unit, with the following responsibilities:

• The Finance Branch (FB) is responsible for the management, monitoring and reporting of UNFPA’s financial position and performance; the preparation of management, statutory, specialized and donor financial reports; processing and control of financial transactions and provision of advice, operational guidance, and support to field offices and Headquarters (HQ) units in key financial management and operations areas; and the continuous development of corporate financial policies and guidance and monitoring of compliance therewith.
• The Facilities and Administrative Services Branch (FASB) is responsible for the management of UNFPA’s office facilities and fixed assets at headquarters and in the field, and the coordination of UNFPA’s engagement in interagency common premises and services. This branch also manages HQ travel, conference services, office space, physical archives, and mail and pouch services at headquarters. It oversees climate neutrality efforts across the organization. It also acts as the HQ focal point in the role out of the UN system back-office reform.
• The Strategic Resource Planning Branch (SRPB) is responsible for preparing, coordinating and managing UNFPA's integrated budget, aligned with the strategic plan of the organization and the results expected of it. It plays a key role in the allocation, management and monitoring of financial resources and serves as the Secretariat of the Resource Management Committee. The branch develops budgeting and resource management policies, guidance and tools and it provides related advisory support, knowledge management and capacity building.
• The Quality Management Unit (QMU) provides policy, guidance, systems, advice and coordination services to maintain relevant and functional internal controls for UNFPA’s operations; ensures the existence of policies, procedures, and guidance to manage risks of working with implementing partners and monitor their application; ensures the availability, relevance and quality of administrative and operations policies, procedures and guidance;  and represents DMS in internal and external audit and operations bodies and vis-à-vis donor reviews. 

Each branch/unit is led by a Chief who reports directly to the DMS Comptroller and Director.

How you can make a difference:

With approximately 5,000 personnel, annual revenues of US dollars 1.5 billion, and assets of US dollars 2.2 billion, UNFPA is the lead UN agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person's potential is fulfilled.  UNFPA’s strategic plan (2022-2025), reaffirms the relevance of the current strategic direction of UNFPA and focuses on three transformative results: to end preventable maternal deaths; end unmet need for family planning; and end gender-based violence and harmful practices. These results capture our strategic commitments on accelerating progress towards realizing the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Decade of Action leading up to 2030. Our strategic plan calls upon UN Member States, organizations and individuals to “build forward better”, while addressing the negative impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on women’s and girls’ access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights, recover lost gains and realize our goals.

In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, we need principled and ethical staff, who embody these international norms and standards, and who will defend them courageously and with full conviction.

UNFPA is seeking candidates that transform, inspire and deliver high impact and sustained results; we need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them and who commit to deliver excellence in programme results.

 Job Purpose:

The Comptroller and Director, Division of Management Services, is responsible for ensuring that UNFPA has the financial and operational capacity required to deliver its mandate, supporting a broad and diverse network of headquarters units and UNFPA regional and country offices globally, which operate in a highly decentralized manner and deliver the UNFPA programmes in very challenging environments, and for ensuring an effective management of the Funds’ financial resources.

The Comptroller and Director, Division of Management Services, plays a key role supporting significant internal change management initiatives, including the relocation, restructuring and strengthening of key corporate functions, the stabilization and the continued enhancement of the recently implemented ERP system – a cloud solution implemented jointly with other UN organizations.

The Comptroller and Director, Division of Management Services, oversees a large team of professional and general service staff located at UNFPA headquarters in NY.

 You would be responsible for:

Under the direct supervision of the Deputy Executive Director (Management), the Comptroller and Director, Division of Management Services, has the following duties and responsibilities:

• Provides strategic vision and management direction pertaining to the delivery of financial, budgetary and resource management, facility management and other administrative services in support of UNFPA’s operations and programme delivery;
• Ensures the maintenance and continued enhancement of an effective Internal Control Framework;
• Ensures the maintenance and continued enhancement of the processes required to manage risks inherent to working with implementing partners and maintaining a proper level of assurance on the expenditures they incur;
• Plans, organizes, directs, reviews and appraises the work and performance of the Division, establishes work plans and priorities, and provides overall direction for the activities of the Division;
• Guides and advises UNFPA offices globally on policy and operational matters related to finance, budgets, resource management and facility management and other administrative services;
• Ensures the timely and accurate certification and issue of the management, statutory, specialized and donor financial reports;
• Provides advice to the Deputy Executive Directors and the Executive Director on the above areas;
• Leads work on increasing efficiency, effectiveness and innovation in financial and operational areas, key business processes, risk management and transparency; 
• Shapes UNFPA overall policies, priorities, strategies and oversight by participating in the Executive Committee and all other relevant governance bodies such as the ICT and ERP Project boards, the Humanitarian Steering Committee and various risk and oversight  committees;
• Provides policy perspectives and substantive direction for the preparation of periodic reports on financial, budgetary, resource management and other administrative aspects of UNFPA work;
• Presents the reports and manages the process of their review and approval by the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), the UNFPA Executive Board and other governing and legislative bodies;
• Develops proposals and ensures implementation of decisions in follow up to external and internal audits related to the areas under the purview of DMS;
• Supports coordination of external audits and the relationship with key stakeholders of the UN Board of Auditors;
• Ensures the effectiveness of the service arrangements and partnerships which have been entered into with key service providers and recipients;
• Serves as the Fund’s representative in the UNSDG Management Group on Common Premises and Services and the UN Task Force on Common Services; 
• Represents UNFPA at inter-organizational and inter-agency meetings such as various committees of the General Assembly, Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), High-Level Committee on Management (HLCM), UNFPA Executive Board, ACABQ and UNSDG; and
• Any other duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Experience: 

Education:  

An advanced degree (minimum Master’s degree or equivalent) in Business Administration or Financial Management, or related fields is required.

An internationally recognized professional accountancy designation would be considered an advantage. 

Knowledge and Experience: 

• Over 15 years of experience in financial operations and management and/or budgeting and resource management at the international level are required, including several years at senior management level;
• UN system experience is highly desirable; 
• Extensive experience in overseeing the establishment and management of financial and budgetary and resource management systems;
• Thorough knowledge of and experience in overseeing the implementation of enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems for financial and operations management and budget and resource management processes;
• Sound understanding of internal control and risk management frameworks and processes;
• Ability to analyze financial management, accounting and reporting issues, applying sound technical principles, data and informed professional judgment, and to present solution alternatives with a clear articulation of their risks and consequences;
• Demonstrated leadership and managerial qualities in organizing work effectively and harmoniously in a multicultural setting; and
• Ability to manage a diverse team with a strong drive for excellence and results.

Languages: 

Fluency in English is required with excellent written and spoken communications skills. Working knowledge of another UN official languages is desirable.