Job Description

CHIEF FINANCE OFFICER (CFO)

JO 229718

Duty Station: New York, US

Deadline: Apr 17, 2024

Org. Setting and Reporting

The United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund was established in 1949 by the United Nations General Assembly to provide retirement, death, disability, and related benefits for staff of the United Nations and other member organizations of the Fund. The Pension Fund pays benefits in 17 currencies to more than 80,000 beneficiaries who reside in 190 countries, and services more than 140,000 participants who work in the 24 member organizations of the Pension Fund. The Fund has offices in New York (United States) and Geneva (Switzerland) and two liaison offices in Nairobi (Kenya) and Bangkok (Thailand), respectively.

The United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund-Pension Administration (UNJSPF-PA) comprises about 250 staff from diverse countries and cultures, based across four prominent duty stations (New York, Geneva, Bangkok, and Nairobi). We are a career employer offering unique opportunities for growth within the United Nations system. We offer staff competitive benefits, including up to six weeks of annual leave per year, a defined benefit pension plan (not subject to variation of capital markets), parental leave, a comprehensive insurance plan, and flexible working arrangements subject to operational requirements. Our office is located in the heart of Manhattan, within walking distance from the Grand Central Station hub, in a state-of-the-art facility (the One Dag Hammarskjöld building). Visit for more details.

The position of Chief of Financial Service (CFO) holds financial management, investment reporting and budget responsibilities across the whole of the UNJSPF. The position is in the Pension Administration, which is part of the UNJSPF, with responsibilities for the OIM and PBS.

The Chief of Financial Services (CFO) has a dual reporting line to the UNJSPF Chief Executive of Pension Administration (CEPA) and the Representative of the Secretary-General (RSG) of OIM. The CFO provides technical, operational, regulatory, budgetary, resource management and strategic advice on UNJSPF financial matters.

Responsibilities

The CFO is responsible for formulating financial policy for the Fund, for reviewing budgetary, financial and accounting operations of the Pension Fund and for ensuring that an adequate financial control environment of the UNJSPF is in place to protect the Fund's resources and guarantees the quality and reliability of financial reporting, timely feedback on the achievement of operational and strategic goals and compliance with the Fund's Regulations and Rules. The CFO is also responsible for setting the rules for the collection from the different information systems and areas of the Fund the financial and accounting data necessary for the preparation of the Fund's financial statements and for the preparation of the Budget and the corresponding performance reports. S/he will have full access to such systems and data. The CFO ensures that the financial statements are in compliance with the Fund's Regulations and Rules, the accounting standards adopted by the Fund (IPSAS/IFRS) as well as the decisions of the Pension Board and UN General Assembly and certifies, together with the CEPA and the RSG, the Fund's financial statements. The CFO provides authoritative advice to staff as well as the Fund's governing bodies, on the preparation of the budget proposals and financial statements. The CFO specific accountabilities include but are not limited to:

1. Establishing in coordination with senior management rules and procedures for the collection of information necessary for the preparation of the Fund's financial statements. Coordinating the complete financial statement preparation process, including the integration of the additional information and tables required by the accounting standards adopted by the Fund or requested by the Fund's governing bodies. Ensuring that the financial statements are prepared in a timely manner and are available to the CEPA and RSG for their respective review; 
2. Leading the implementation of the new accounting standards adopted by the Fund (International Public Sector Accounting Standards, IPSAS), and guiding project staff or consulting resources working in the implementation of these standards. 
3. Ensuring the proper application, in accounting and financial aspects, of the Fund's Regulations and Rules (including the Pension Adjustment System and its Two-Track provisions) as well as the decisions of the Pension Board and General Assembly. The CFO certifies the Fund's financial statement together with the CEPA and RSG; 
4. Reviewing all financial and accounting operations of the Pension Fund and ensuring that an adequate financial control environment is in place to protect the Fund's resources, both physical and intangible (including financial assets, furniture, equipment, reputation, knowledge and information) and that guarantees the reliability of financial reporting, timely feedback on the achievement of operational and strategic goals, the compliance with the Fund' s Regulations and Rules, and the reduction in potential process variation leading to morepredictable outcomes. 
5. Providing authoritative advice to UNJSPF staff as well as the Fund's governing bodies on the preparation of the budget proposals, financial statements, and on policies concerning accounting, financial controls and risk management. 
6. Participating in the inter-agency and inter-secretariat discussions and meetings in respect of financial arrangements, systems and procedures which affect the operations of the Fund; 
7. Responding to observations of the Fund's Internal and External Auditors which relate to the preparation of the financial statements as well as other accounting and financial matters. 
8. Presenting the financial statements to the Audit Committee and the Pension Board and provides additional information, as requested. 
9. Establishing in coordination with senior management rules, procedures and methodology concerning preparation of the Fund's Budget and corresponding performance reports. Issuing the budget guidelines and coordinates the complete budget preparation process, including the integration of the additional information and tables required by senior management or requested by the Fund's governing bodies. Ensuring that the Budget is prepared in a timely manner and is available to the CEPA and RSG for their respective review.

Competencies

• Professionalism:  Knowledge of the substantive field of work of a CFO, including financial and budgetary strategy and policy formulation, the production of the statutory accounts, cash management, as well as financial change management and related project implementation. Expertise in financial reporting preferably of Retirement Benefit Plans, preferably under IPSAS and IFRS investment (and sustainability) reporting, internal control and risk management. Ability to write reports and papers on technical issues and to review and edit the work of others. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations.
• Communication:  Speaks and writes clearly and effectively. Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately. Asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having two-way communication. Tailors language, tone, style and format to match the audience. Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.
• Planning & Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies. Identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required. Allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work. Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning. Monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary. Uses time efficiently.
• Leadership:  Serves as a role model that other people want to follow. Empowers others to translate vision into results. Is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives. Establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support. Anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions. Drives for change and improvement; does not accept the status quo. Shows the courage to take unpopular stands. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing.
• Judgement/ Decision-making:  Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and quickly comes to the heart of the problem. Gather relevant information before making a decision. Considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them. Takes decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on the Organization. Propose a course of action or recommend based on all available information. Checks assumptions against facts. Determines that the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision. Makes tough decisions when necessary.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent degree) in business or public administration, finance, or accounting. A professional accounting qualification (current or prior membership) is desirable. A first-level university degree, in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience, may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

A minimum of fifteen years of progressively responsible experience in financial management under IPSAS/IFRS or similar accrual accounting standards is required.
Experience overseeing accounting, budgeting, reporting, and treasury is required.
Experience as a Chief Finance Officer or senior finance manager in a financial institution, pension fund or large complex organization is required.
Experience in an international and multisite organization at a senior level is required.
Experience in sustainability reporting is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position, fluency in English (both oral and written) is required; working knowledge of another official UN language would be an asset.

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