Chief of Section (Change Management and Field Support)

Chief of Section (Change Management and Field Support)

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT
The incumbent of the post is a member of DFAM's senior management, directly advising the Controller with the overall goal of ensuring that finance rules and regulations, policies and procedures are fully understood and properly implemented across the organization. This includes risk analysis and development of strategies regarding the operational impact of policies, procedures, projects and other developments including changes to systems, structures and staffing.

The incumbent leads the Change Management and Field Support Section in DFAM Office of the Controller. The Section is responsible for ensuring the efficient and successful roll-out of initiatives relating to financial management and control, and the development and oversight of communications and training on all financial management subjects. The Section also supports the Controller in the implementation of strategies to improve financial management capacity at UNHCR.

This position includes direction and supervision of the Field Support function, which assists field operations in establishing or improving adequate and effective financial management systems, procedures and internal controls, as well as building the capacity of field staff, in order to allow them to discharge their financial management functions.

In coordination with the GLC, the incumbent oversees the development and delivery of training programmes and workshops in order to fill finance knowledge gaps across the organization.

The incumbent represents the Division in operational and structural reviews, liaises with the Emergency Capacity Management Service on the deployment of finance resources in emergency situations.  He/she is responsible for the functional clearance of candidates for finance officer and project control officer positions across the organization, ranging from National Officers to P5.

The incumbent has frequent contacts with senior and middle management staff in other Divisions, Bureaux and Field Offices.

The incumbent reports directly to the Controller and supervises two P4 Senior Finance (Change Management) Officers in Geneva and two P4 Senior Finance (Field Support) Officers in Budapest.

FUNCTIONAL STATEMENT
Accountability
- Strategies and plans are developed and implemented in order to address field impacts of finance related change initiatives.
- The interests of DFAM are voiced and taken into consideration in relation to regional or field structural changes.
- Finance capacity building programmes are implemented across the Organization.
- Due process is followed in the functional assessment of candidates for positions with financial management   responsibilities.
- Administrative and finance management systems at field level are improved.
- Finance related internal controls at field level are implemented and strengthened.

Responsibility
- Guide the change management process of finance impacting projects, policies, procedures and initiatives, ensuring that knowledge and capacity gaps are addressed to the right audience, through the right strategies and at the right time.
- Design strategies and manage the implementation of plans to strengthen the financial and administrative capacity of the Organization, in support of the Controller's strategic objectives.
- As the focal point for training and capacity building of DFAM, in coordination with GLC, guide the development and  implementation of training programmes and capacity building initiatives on finance related matters across the Organization, with the overall aim of enhancing the financial management capacity within UNHCR.
- Provide inputs on structural reviews of regional and field operations, in coordination with ODMS, DHRM and other units at HQ.
- As the focal point of DFAM for functional clearances, manage the functional assessment process of candidates for finance related positions in the Professional category from NO to P5 level.
- Advise the Controller and other senior staff within the DFAM on accounting, finance and administrative issues related to field operations.
- In consultation with the senior management within DFAM and the Bureaux, identify field operations that require financial management  support and manage the deployment of field support staff, in order to assist  local management in strengthening  their financial and administrative management systems and to reduce risks of non-compliance with UNHCR rules, policies and procedures, as well as building the capacity of field staff, in order to allow them to discharge their financial management functions.
- Provide direction and supervise the work of the Senior Finance (Change Management) Officers and Senior Finance Field Support) Officers in the Change Management and Field Support Section.
- Liaise with the Emergency Capacity Management Service on the deployment of qualified finance and project control resources to emergency situations.
- Discharge any other responsibilities/functions deemed necessary or as delegated by the Controller.

Authority
- Target, initiate and implement change management initiatives.
- Request input form the senior management of DFAM on training and capacity building initiatives.
- Request input from the senior management of DFAM on field support related issues.
- Discuss field support mission reports with Bureaux and field operations.
- Represent DFAM in structural reviews.
- Functionally clear candidates for finance related positions.
- Represent DFAM in thematic meetings called by DHRM.

ESSENTIAL MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
- Advanced  University degree (Post Graduate Level) in Finance, Business Administration or Public Administration or University degree in the above disciplines combined with a professional qualification in accounting (CPA, CA or equivalent).
- Minimum of 15 years in financial and/or administrative management in an international environment, of which at least 10 years at professional level in a supervisory position.
- Proven knowledge of IPSAS and its application in the UN system.
- Superior knowledge of UN financial regulations, UNHCR financial rules, policies and procedures.
- Very good understanding of UNHCR's financial management system.
- Practical knowledge of change management methodologies and deliverables.
- Experience in financial and/or administrative policy formulation and policy interpretation as well as demonstrated professional skills and experience in the design, development and delivery of organizational capacity building initiatives.
- Proven experience in developing and delivering finance related training programmes for finance and non-finance   audiences.
- Supervisory experience of professional level staff in the areas of finance and/or administration.
- Capacity to explain complex financial concepts in non-technical language to non-finance audiences.
- Excellent computer skills, in particular MS Office applications.
- Excellent communication skills in English both orally and in writing.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS & COMPETENCIES
- Combined UNHCR HQ and field experience in the areas of finance, administration or audit.
- Experience in business analysis and/or business re-engineering.
- Knowledge of French.