Director, Finance Division

WIPO • Geneva, IL

6d • $106,023 - $198,051

About The Position

This role leads the Finance Division within the Department of Program Planning and Finance, serving a global network of IP stakeholders. The Division's key financial strategies focus on growth, operational excellence, prudent investment, and maintaining transparency, accountability, and integrity. The Director, in collaboration with the CFO, will shape the future of finance, drive technology and AI/data analytics strategies, manage the Division's resources, lead digital transformation through an ERP initiative, and ensure customer-centric payment services. Key responsibilities include strategic engagement with Member States and oversight bodies, risk management, and continuous improvement of internal controls.

Requirements

• Advanced university degree in accounting, finance, or a relevant subject.
• A first-level university degree in any subject with two years of relevant professional experience in addition to the 15 years of experience.
• Professional accounting qualifications, such as ACA, CPA, etc.
• At least 15 years of professional experience in the financial and/or accounting field, of which at least seven years at the international level.
• Substantial managerial experience, including managing multi-cultural teams.
• Demonstrated experience in contributing substantively to finance digital transformation and ERP implementation projects, including change management.
• Experience in building strong partnerships within and outside the Organization.
• Excellent written and spoken English.

Nice To Haves

• Active membership of a Professional accounting body.
• Certification that evidences comprehensive knowledge of applicable accounting standards.
• Professional certification in Treasury Management.
• Experience in the use of data to drive decisions and policies.
• Experience in advancing the maturity of risk management and internal controls systems.
• Experience in delivering quality services to private sector customers.
• Experience in interacting and engaging with Boards, Shareholders or Governing Bodies on financial reports, matters and issues.
• Experience in leading Finance transformation projects enabled by ERP and AI technologies.
• Knowledge of other UN official languages; French would be useful.

Responsibilities

• Co-create a vision for continuous innovation and transformation in finance with the CFO.
• Provide thought leadership and execution for process change, building new capabilities and operationalizing new ways of working.
• Explore and evaluate innovative finance technology solutions, emerging technologies, industry trends, and best practices.
• Ensure finance functional strategy aligns with the Organization's overall business strategy and transformation goals.
• Build a roadmap for Finance transformation.
• Redesign the finance operating model based on technology and automation opportunities, ensuring alignment with business objectives.
• Drive the implementation of the new operating model, managing change and ensuring seamless integration across the finance function.
• Lead the digital and ERP transformation of the Finance Division, including redesigning the operating model and adopting new technologies like AI.
• Champion automation to minimize manual effort, increase speed and accuracy of accounting processes, and digitalize internal controls.
• Drive coordinated change management across finance, ensuring smooth adoption of the new operating model.
• Deliver comprehensive training and support to finance staff on new technologies and processes.
• Work closely with key stakeholders to foster a culture of continuous adherence and improvement of financial systems and processes.
• Take a people-centered approach to build awareness of how individuals and teams respond to change.
• Proactively build and maintain strong partnerships with stakeholders, users, and governance entities.
• Direct the Division's portfolio of work and manage human and financial resources, determining priorities and allocating resources.
• Monitor operational performance, identify future skills requirements, and manage talent needs.
• Ensure staff are informed of their duty to report potential fraud/abuse/misconduct.
• Lead the development, review, and continuous update of accounting policies, ensuring alignment with professional standards and WIPO's regulations.
• Identify and manage financial risks, ensuring effective mitigation actions and internal controls.
• Provide substantive technical leadership and advice on all finance/accounting matters for WIPO, UPOV, Funds in Trust, and retirement funds.
• Direct accounting close and ensure timely delivery of quality financial statements and reports.
• Respond to audit comments and recommendations and follow up on implementation.
• Manage the formulation and evaluation of regular and ad hoc financial reports.
• Oversee treasury and investment management functions and lead strategic engagement with banking partners.
• Direct the preparation and review of financial management reports for governing bodies and senior-level meetings.
• Represent the Organization at events and provide authoritative advice.
• Perform other job-related duties as required.

Benefits

• Net annual salary (net of taxes and before medical insurance and pension fund deductions) in US dollars
• Post adjustment (cost of living allowance)
• Salaries and allowances are paid in Swiss francs at the official rate of exchange of the United Nations.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director