Chief, Accounts, Finance Branch, Division for Management Services, New York, P-5

Chief, Accounts

The Chief, Accounts position is part of the Finance Branch of the Division for Management Services. The Finance Branch is responsible for leading global finance, including financial operations management, key financial and accounting policies and processes, accounting and treasury services; overseeing improvement efforts in areas of financial operations; ensuring the ERP and related financial systems are configured and functioning to manage, monitor and report on key financial processes and information, and that the Financial Statements are prepared based on the International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS). The Branch also plays a key role in the custody and distribution of financial resources, improving global financial management, monitoring of expenditures, liabilities and fund balances, and producing statutory, financial management and donor reporting.
UNFPA is the lead United Nations agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is intended, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. The UNFPA Strategic Plan for 2026-2029 articulates the organization's response to a complex global environment, providing a roadmap for resilience and renewal. It is designed to accelerate the implementation of the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. This mandate is pursued through a focus on four interconnected outcomes: ending the unmet need for family planning; ending preventable maternal deaths; ending gender-based violence and harmful practices; and adapting to demographic change through evidence and rights-based policies.
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 who transform, inspire, and deliver high-impact and sustained results and ensure effective external relations, communications, and partnership-building and resource mobilization in a rapidly changing development and funding landscape. We need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them, and who commit to delivering excellence in programme results.
The Chief, Accounts will oversee the Data Management Unit (DMU), the Statutory Reporting Unit (SRU) and the Revenue and Donor Reporting Unit (RDRU) and work in partnership with other units of the Finance Branch (Global Monitoring and Advisory Team, Accounting and Payments Unit (APU) as well as the Information Technology Solutions Office (ITSO), the Resource Mobilization Branch (RMB), the Supply Chain Management Unit (SCMU), and colleagues in field offices. You will report directly to the Chief, Finance Branch. This role ensures an efficient and effective financial operations framework is in place, including policies, systems and processes that are aligned with UNFPA's mission and regulations and enable an agile operating environment.
You would be responsible for:
Strategic management and HR management
Partnerships, Knowledge management, Communication and Training
Innovation, Policy, Process and systems efficiency
Financial Accounting, Period end closure activities and Statutory Reporting
Treasury management including cash flow, banking, foreign currency and investments.
Business continuity management
Other duties
Qualifications and Experience:
Education:
Advanced university degree in Finance, Accounting, or a related field is required. A fully qualified professional accounting qualification from a recognized international institute is required, and will be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree (e.g. ACA, ACCA)
Knowledge and Experience:
At least 10 years of progressively responsible experience in financial accounting and statutory reporting positions at multinational organizations, with a minimum of 5 years in a supervisory role.
Progressively responsible experience of supervision of staff and positive engagement and relationship management with field based colleagues and headquarters focal points.
Demonstrated experience developing and implementing practical and risk based financial policies and procedures (with a strong emphasis on IPSAS based accounting policies), and managing a positive change environment including communication and training.
Demonstrated experience in interpreting accounting standards and developing compliant and practical accounting policies.
Demonstrated experience in financial accounting and statutory reporting in accordance with International Public Sector Accounting Standards or International Financial Reporting Standards for a global, complex organisation.
Experience in maintaining and managing ERP system applications, preferably Oracle, including the development and use of data reporting and analytics tools.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills. Able to solicit and listen to client feedback, design business processes to balance control needs and efficiency and to translate business requirements into logical systems specifications.
In-depth understanding of financial management and operations processes in the United Nations, including complex development and humanitarian locations, is desirable
Languages:
Fluency in English is required; knowledge of other official UN languages, especially French, is highly desirable.
Required Competencies:
Values:
Exemplifying integrity,
Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system,
Embracing cultural diversity,
Embracing change
Core Competencies:
Achieving results,
Being accountable,
Developing and applying professional expertise/business acumen,
Thinking analytically and strategically,
Working in teams/managing ourselves and our relationships,
Communicating for impact
Functional Competencies:
Technical accounting policy and implementation,
Statutory financial reporting,
Developing ICT applications,
Managing teams for performance,
Implementing change for impact
Managerial Competencies:
Providing strategic vision and focus,
Engaging internal/external partners and stakeholders,
Leading, developing and empowering people/creating a culture of performance,
Making decisions and exercising judgment.
Compensation and Benefits:
This position offers an attractive remuneration package including a competitive net salary plus health insurance and other benefits as applicable.
UNFPA Work Environment:
UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, diversity, integrity and healthy work-life balance. We are committed to ensuring gender parity in the organization and therefore encourage women to apply. Individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community, minority ethnic groups, indigenous populations, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups are highly encouraged to apply. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. UNFPA promotes equal opportunities in terms of appointment, training, compensation and selection for all regardless of personal characteristics and dimensions of diversity. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is at the heart of UNFPA's workforce - click here to learn more.
Disclaimer:
Selection and appointment may be subject to background and reference checks, medical clearance, visa issuance and other administrative requirements.
UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process and does not concern itself with information on applicants' bank accounts.
Applicants for positions in the international Professional and higher categories, who hold permanent resident status in a country other than their country of nationality, may be required to renounce such status upon their appointment.