Senior Finance Officer (Change Management), P4 (TA), Geneva At UN High Commissioner for Refugees

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is offering a Temporary full-time position within the Division of Financial and Administrative Management in headquarter Geneva Switzerland.

UNHCR is a global organisation dedicated to saving lives, protecting rights and building a better future for refugees, forcibly displaced communities and stateless people. Every year, millions of men, women and children are forced to flee their homes to escape conflict and persecution. We are in over 125 countries, using our expertise to protect and care for millions.

The position is based within the Division of Financial and Administrative Management (DFAM). DFAM contributes to safeguarding the financial resources entrusted to UNHCR by maintaining and improving the financial and admin. systems, policies and procedures and promoting cost-effective and transparent use of these resources. The incumbent will have frequent contact with senior and middle management staff in other Divisions, Bureaux and Field Offices.

• Title: Senior Finance Officer (Change Management)
• Duty Station: Geneva
• Duration: 364 days
• Contract Type: Temporary Appointment
• Closing date: 22/10/2021
• Start date: 01/12/2021
• Organisational context

The position is located in the Change Management and Field Support Section (CMFSS), within the Office of the Controller in DFAM. CMFSS supports the Controller in the implementation of strategies to improve the financial and administrative management capacity of UNHCR and is responsible for ensuring the efficient implementation of initiatives relating to financial management and controls, the development and oversight of communications and training on financial management and other relevant areas. The Section is also responsible for coordination on all finance-related field support and training issues, within DFAM and generally with other parts of the Organization.

The Section represents the Division in operational and structural reviews, liaises in relation to organizational and divisional initiatives, Capacity Development, supports Capacity Management on the deployment of finance and administrative resources in emergency situations, and is responsible for the functional clearance for finance and administrative positions.

The position

The Senior Finance Officer (Change Management) will support the Chief of Section (Change Management and Field Support) in conducting analysis and reviews related to development and implementation of strategies and initiatives. The incumbent will be responsible for the implementation of organization-wide change projects, under the supervision and direction of the Chief of Section. She/he is responsible for the functional clearance of candidates for finance officer and administrative officer positions across the organization.

Duties and responsibilities

Responsibilities

Perform analysis, updates and assessments related to new and existing processes, practices, systems, and initiatives.

Identify opportunities, risks, concerns, and constraints related to financial management, and propose mitigation and improvement measures, including establishing or improving adequate and effective financial management systems, procedures, internal controls.

Apply best practices to carry out business process re-engineering, performance measurements and change management activities to meet business needs.

Support ERP implementation related to financial management components, considering multiple stakeholder perspectives.

Arrange, prepare, and facilitate meetings, workshops and process walk through reviews to test and validate proposals for process improvements and changes.

Support field offices on emerging matters, existing practices and new initiatives; Collating, liaising, and resolving queries and issues and sharing lessons learnt.

Engage/lead on change initiatives related to financial management at HQ and field.

Assist with the creation of the training content, guidance and communication to support change, gain buy-in and embed in standard business operations.

Identify and analyze financial management knowledge requirements, skills gaps and capacity development opportunities.

In close co-operation with the Global Learning & Development Centre, support development of capacity-building programmes on financial management for both headquarters and the Field and implement related solutions.

Administer functional clearance of candidates applying for financial management positions in UNHCR.

Prepare formal and informal presentations, reports and communications related to the functions of CMFSS. Perform any other relevant duties, as required.

Authority

Implement resolutions to finance-related issues and/or risks across the Organization.

Design and deliver training and other capacity building initiatives.

Implement change management strategies.

Implement compliance with applicable financial regulations, rules, policies, and procedures.

Essential minimum qualifications and professional experience required

• Graduate degree (equivalent of a Master’s) in Accounting, Finance, Public or Business Administration, Economics or related field plus minimum 8 years of previous work experience relevant to the function of which at least 2 years of service in field operations at the professional level in the areas of administration, finance and/or audit. Undergraduate degree (equivalent of a BA/BS) combined with a professional qualification in accounting or audit (CA, CPA, CIA or equivalent) plus 9 years or Doctorate degree (equivalent of a PhD) plus 7 years of previous relevant work experience may also be accepted.
• Strong knowledge of United Nations financial regulations, rules, and procedures.
• Knowledge of UNHCR’s financial management system or a similar ERP system.
• Proven ability to analyze business processes, identify issues and develop solutions.
• Experience in project management, and/or direct experience in development and implementation of processes.
• Experience in delivering training or conducting workshops in finance and administration.
• Experience in ERP implementation support
• Excellent computer skills, in particular in MS Office and other analysis applications.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including strong drafting skills.
• Supervisory experience of professional staff in finance and /or administration.

ADDITIONAL DESIRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• Combined HQ and field experience in the areas of finance, administration, and audit.
• Combined experience in the UN system and private sector in business process design.
• Knowledge in the fields of change, risk and project management.
• Knowledge of another UN language, preferably French.

Location

The successful candidate will be based with the team in Geneva Switzerland