Deputy Director for Financial Management

Job Posting Organization:
UN Women was established in July 2010 as a response to the United Nations General Assembly's call for a dedicated entity to promote gender equality and empower women. The organization is committed to eliminating discrimination against women and girls, empowering women, and achieving equality between women and men. UN Women operates globally, with a mission to support the implementation of international standards and commitments on gender equality and women's empowerment. The organization has a diverse workforce and collaborates with various stakeholders across multiple countries to enhance its impact.

Job Overview:
The director" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Deputy Director for Financial Management at UN Women plays a crucial role in leading the Financial Management Section and overseeing the global finance function of the organization. This position reports directly to the Chief Finance Officer and Director of the Division of Finance and Administration (DFA). The Deputy Director is responsible for ensuring effective stewardship of financial resources, sound financial operations, and strong internal controls. The role involves strategic financial leadership, providing advice to senior management, and promoting accountability and transparency across financial operations. The Deputy Director will also lead the engagement with senior stakeholders to align finance priorities with organizational strategy and operational effectiveness. This position requires a deep understanding of financial policies, risk management, and compliance, as well as the ability to drive continuous improvement in financial management processes.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Deputy Director for Financial Management has a comprehensive set of responsibilities that include leading the Financial Management Section, overseeing financial operations, and ensuring compliance with IPSAS standards. Key duties include:

• Leading the global finance network and setting priorities and performance standards aligned with UN Women’s Strategic Plan.
• Providing strategic advice on financial management, risk, and resource stewardship to senior management.
• Maintaining and strengthening UN Women’s financial framework, including regulations, policies, and internal controls.
• Overseeing financial operations, including transaction recording, vendor controls, and project management reporting.
• Leading the preparation and certification of IPSAS-compliant financial statements and donor reports.
• Managing financial audits and ensuring timely responses to audit inquiries.
• Driving business transformation and process improvement initiatives within financial management.
• Representing UN Women in internal governance bodies and providing guidance to strengthen the global finance community.
• Leading and developing finance staff to promote high standards of performance and collaboration.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates for the Deputy Director for Financial Management position must possess a Master’s degree or equivalent in accounting, finance, financial management, or a related field. Additionally, an internationally recognized professional accounting qualification such as CA, ACA, CPA, or ACCA is required. The ideal candidate should have a solid understanding of complex financial rules and regulations, as well as demonstrated success in leading financial management systems development and policy design. Strong analytical skills and the ability to communicate effectively are essential for this role.

Educational Background:
The educational requirements for this position include a Master’s degree in accounting, finance, financial management, or a related field. Alternatively, candidates may possess an internationally recognized professional accounting qualification, which can be accepted in lieu of a master’s degree. This educational background is critical for understanding the complexities of financial management within a large organization like UN Women.

Experience:
The position requires at least 15 years of progressively responsible senior-level experience in financial management, accounting, or related areas within a large public, international, or private sector organization. Candidates should have a minimum of 7 years of experience in producing IPSAS- or IFRS-compliant financial statements. Experience with ERP-enabled financial management systems, particularly Oracle Cloud or similar UN system ERP, is essential. Additionally, candidates should have experience in leading and managing personnel in international settings, with a preference for those who have worked within the UN system or other international organizations.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory for this position. Knowledge of another official UN language, such as French, Arabic, Chinese, Russian, or Spanish, is desirable and would be considered an asset in the recruitment process.

Additional Notes:
This position is a full-time role within UN Women, which operates under a framework of diversity and inclusion. The organization is committed to creating a respectful environment and adheres to a zero-tolerance policy regarding misconduct. Selected candidates will undergo rigorous background checks, including verification of academic credentials and employment history. It is important for applicants to complete all sections of the application form to avoid disqualification from the recruitment process.