Regional Financial Comptroller (P)

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. External female candidates

3. Candidates from the following IOM Member States that are not represented among staff members in the Professional and higher categories: 

   Bahamas, Barbados, Cabo Verde, 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.

Under the overall supervision of the Regional Director and direct supervision of the Deputy Regional Director (Management), with a secondary reporting line to the Comptroller / Director, Department of Financial and Administrative Management (DFM), the Regional Financial Comptroller is responsible for steering, monitoring, and facilitating IOM’s financial and administrative functions across the Region, including facilitating compliance of financial controls and processes adopted by Country Offices (COs) in the Region with IOM’s global financial policies, regulations, and procedures.

In this capacity, the Regional Financial Comptroller delivers strategic financial advisory services and support to COs by promoting the integration of IOM’s financial principles within broader operational frameworks. The Regional Financial Comptroller facilitates the provision of efficient financial and administrative services at both regional and local levels, while also identifying, mitigating, and escalating financial risks as necessary. In addition, the Regional Financial Comptroller champions capacity-building initiatives in finance and administration, driving change and strengthening IOM’s financial workforce, systems, and internal controls. The Regional Financial Comptroller frequently collaborates with DFM Divisions and engages with UN agencies and donor representatives at both regional and country levels.

 

1. Lead the development and implementation of both short- and long-term financial management plans and strategies at the regional level, aligning with IOM’s global financial policies, regulations, and procedures.

2. Provide strategic financial advice to Regional Office (RO) management and the management of COs in the Region in line with the IOM’s financial policy framework, ensuring effective oversight and compliance with financial controls across the Region in collaboration with Headquarters (HQ), Administrative Centers, and COs. 

3. Provide guidance and first-line support to Resource Management Officers (RMOs) and finance staff on financial, administrative, and financial control matters, providing training and guidance on financial and administrative policies, ensuring that processes are efficient and aligned with IOM’s global policies while being adaptable to local contexts.

4. Monitor financial and administrative processes at the Regional and CO levels by facilitating compliance and promoting operational efficiency in coordination with HQ, Administrative Centres, and COs. Conduct periodic visits to CO in the Region to provide guidance, assess capacities, and improve compliance. Communicate the outcomes of these visits to RO management and the Department of Financial and Administrative Management.

5. Strengthen the financial internal control environment across the Region, coordinating with regional global counterparts, particularly with the Regional Risk and Compliance Officer and DFM, to address gaps and prevent fraud or mismanagement. Facilitate the implementation of the Compliance Control Self-Assessment Tool across the Region, contribute to the development of the Risk Register Matrix, and other risk assessment and management-related tools. Monitor and facilitate the segregation of duties within the COs, including but not limited to role assignments in IOM’s Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system. 

6. Perform approvals, reviews, or authorizations within the authorities delegated by IOM policies and/or line managers, in close coordination with global counterparts.

7. Oversee comprehensive financial planning, monitoring, and reporting across the Region, including monitoring project financial performance, with an emphasis on promptly identifying changes in the financial health of COs. 

8. Identify, assess, and mitigate financial risks in collaboration with Regional and CO management, the Regional Risk and Compliance Officer, and other stakeholders. Escalate significant financial risks and emerging trends to DFM and senior regional management.

9. Oversee the RO budget submission process, monitoring expenditures to ensure adherence to approved allocations and financial policies. Monitor COs budget submissions and periodic forecasts, ensuring financial sustainability and adequate coverage of common costs.

10. Under the guidance of the Treasury Division, facilitate the optimization of cash management and bank account structures across the Region, ensuring alignment with IOM’s global financial strategies. Promote global institutional payment solutions, streamlining processes, and reducing transaction costs across the Region.

11. Monitor compliance with donor financial reporting requirements, facilitate good-quality project financial report preparation by COs and timely submission for internal endorsements.

12. Maintain and monitor audit recommendations and oversight findings, ensuring timely follow-up and resolution by COs.

13. Supervise finance and administrative staff at the RO, ensuring processes are in place to maintain compliance with IOM’s rules and standards. 

14. Lead regional finance capacity-building initiatives, focusing on talent development and retention within the financial function. Foster a robust finance community across the Region, encouraging continuous learning, peer collaboration, and alignment with IOM’s global financial strategies. Serve as a key champion of change, facilitating the adoption of technological and policy updates across the region. 

15. Represent IOM in inter-agency financial and administrative discussions, including participation in regional and local OMTs, donor meetings, and other external forums.

16. Perform any other duties as assigned. 

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

• University degree in the above with twelve years of relevant professional experience.

• Professional accounting certification by an internationally recognised professional accountancy body is an advantage.

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

• Demonstrated leadership experience in financial management, with a minimum of ten years of progressively evolving responsibilities for accounting, financial reporting, and financial analysis within an international, decentralized, and/or multinational environment;
• Demonstrated experience in conducting financial analysis and feasibility studies, including trend and ratio analysis. Capable of presenting complex financial matters and experienced in negotiating with member states and donors;
• Excellent knowledge and experience with budgeting, financial, and reporting systems, including ERP;
• Demonstrated understanding and substantial work experience with International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) or International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS); and,
• Proven experience in field operations of similar-sized international organizations to IOM is an advantage. 
   

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

• Demonstrated knowledge of IOM and/or UN financial regulations, policies, procedures and practices is desirable;

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

• Demonstrated skill in operating a complex financial monitoring framework, including policies and procedures tailored to operational needs;

• Demonstrated understanding of a decentralized operating model and its complexities;

• Demonstrated language proficiency and excellent drafting skills; and,

• Demonstrated ability to innovate and manage transitions.

   

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

Working knowledge of another official UN languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, 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.

IOM’s competency framework can be found at this link. Competencies will be assessed during the selection process.

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 on 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.