Chief, Financial Liaison and Compliance Unit (P)

Job Description

Job Identification (Reference Number): 12971
Position Title: Chief, Financial Liaison and Compliance Unit
Duty Station City: Washington
Duty Station Country: United States of America (the)
Grade: P-5
Contract Type: Fixed-term (1 year with possibility of extension)
Recruiting Type: Professional
Vacancy Type: Vacancy Notice
Initial duration: 1 year with possibility of extension
Closing date: 26 February 2025
 

Established in 1951, IOM is a Related Organization of the United Nations, and as the leading UN agency in the field of migration, works closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners. IOM is dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It does so by providing services and advice to governments and migrants.

IOM is committed to ensuring a workplace where all employees can thrive professionally, while working towards harnessing the full potential of migration. Read 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 non-represented member states:

Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Comoros, Congo (the), Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Guinea-Bissau, Holy See, Iceland, Kiribati, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Madagascar, Marshall Islands, Namibia, Nauru, Palau, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Solomon Islands, Suriname, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu

Second tier candidates include:

All external candidates, except candidates from non-represented member states of IOM and female candidates.

Under the direct supervision of the Director, Global Office Washington, D.C. (GO Washington, D.C.) , with a secondary reporting line to the Comptroller / Director, Department of Financial and Administrative Management (DFM), the Chief, Financial Liaison and Compliance Unit oversees IOM’s financial, administrative, and contractual compliance and engagement with the US donors. The Chief, Financial Liaison and Compliance Unit builds, manages, and maintains the direct relationship between IOM Offices and US donors, contributes to policy advocacy, liaison, and donor compliance from the administrative and financial perspective. This includes support to resource mobilization and financial project review to build IOM’s global US-funded portfolio.

The Chief, Financial Liaison and Compliance Unit directly supervises the Financial Liaison and Compliance Unit. The Chief, Financial Liaison and Compliance Unit also leads the team’s engagement and coordination with HQ, including the the Department of Financial and Administrative Management (DFM), the Office of Partnerships, Advocacy, and Communications (OPAC), ROs, COs and IOM Administrative Centres.
 

Responsibilities

Strategic Engagement 

1. Policy and Advocacy: Under the direct supervision of the Director, Global Office and in coordination with the Chief, Partnership, Advocacy, and Communication Unit, actively contribute to and lead IOM’s engagement with US donors. Assess and manage opportunities and risks in financial aspects of US-funded programmes by analyzing financial data, evaluating past results, and contractual terms. Provide insights and recommendations to ensure alignment with IOM’s financial policies and donor requirements.
2. Monitoring:  Analyse and provide strategic advice to the Director, GO Washington, D.C. and the Senior Management Team on opportunities, challenges, and positions of US donors, when linked to administrative and financial rules, regulations, policies. Assess the relevance of information to be disseminated to ROs, COs, IOM administrative centres, and HQ functional homes. 
3. Negotiations and Liaison: Represent IOM in negotiations and meetings with US donors on financial and administrative matters, ensuring alignment with IOM’s financial policies and compliance frameworks. Collaborate closely with DFM to provide clear and consistent positions on budget proposals, financial reporting, and donor requirements. Facilitate productive dialogue to address donor concerns, resolve issues, and strengthen partnerships.

Technical Support to HQ, Regional, and Country Offices 

1. Coordination:  Manage the coordination of the Financial Liaison and Compliance Unit of IOM Wahsington, D.C. Establish clear timelines, monitor progress, and work closely with the Manila and Panama City Administrative Centres, DFM, ROs, and COs to ensure adherence to donor deadlines.
2. Financial Proposal Endorsement: Ensure secondary review of all budget submissions as part of IOM proposals to US donors. 
3. Project Financial Compliance: Monitor and faciliate the timely preparation and submission of project financial reports for US-funded projects in compliance with donor requirements. Facilitate workshops and training to improve financial report quality and understanding of donor requirements.
4. Financial Report Endorsement: Oversee the review of project financial reports in line with IOM’s rules and regulations and applicable donor requirements of all projects, programmes and operations funded by US donors in line with IOM’s established policies and procedures. Act as primary liaison focal point for any arising questions on IOM’s reporting and facilitate the required follow up and clarification. 
5. Monitoring:  Lead the team support to COs and ROs in follow-up on US-funded projects. Flag emerging challenges, trends, opportunities, and risks to the IOM Comptroller, Global or RO Directors, Chiefs of Mission (COMs)/Heads of Office (HoOs), and/or HQ functional homes as needed. Advise COs on course correction as deemed appropriate in coordination with relevant ROs. 
6. Financial Policy Advisory: Provide advice, guidance and support to Regional Offices (ROs), Country Offices (COs), and Global Support Offices (GSOs) to ensure the correct interpretation and application of IOM’s financial and administrative policies in the context of US-funded projects. Work closely with DFM and other relevant units to clarify interpretations, address challenges, and enhance compliance with organizational standards and donor requirements.

Knowledge Management and Learning 

1. Capacity Building: Identify capacity building needs and gaps for ROs, COs, and GO staff and oversee the development and delivery of capacity building initiatives on the administrative and financial aspects of US engagement, communications, fundraising, project financial management, financial reporting, and compliance for US-funded programming in coordination with the Global Office Senior Management Team.    
2. Learning:  Gather, disseminate, and support the implementation of best practices and lessons learned from evaluations, audits, and implementation of US-funded programmes. 
3. Perform any other duties as may be assigned. 

Qualifications

EDUCATION

• Master’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Public Administration, Business Administration or a related field from an accredited academic institution with ten years of relevant professional experience; or
• University degree in the above fields with twelve years of relevant professional experience.

EXPERIENCE

• Extensive experience with US funding instruments relevant for IOM and related financial rules, procedures, and auditing;
• Extensive knowledge and experience in human resource administration and management, UN/IOM’s financial management policies and procedures and internal control assessments;
• Proven experience in liaising with governmental and diplomatic officials, as well as with US donors, the United Nations, national and international institutions and organizations, civil society and private sector actors;
• Experience in working in various contexts, and in leading and managing diverse teams, programmes, and projects;
• Experience in capacity development, complex programme development and implementation experience, including budget and financial management, risk assessment, reporting and evaluation, and audit preparation and oversight;
• Experience working in an United Nations organization or other international organization of similar nature; and
• Track record in financial liaison and engagement with large governmental and other donors, if in the US context an advantage.

SKILLS

• Ability to clearly analyse and advise on complex contexts and fast-changing migration and ability to frame them in their regional, global, and political contexts;
• Familiarity with the US as donors and its financial, legal, administrative, reporting, and contractual structures, policies, and requirements;
• Demonstrated ability to effectively lead and manage a diverse team of specialists in a multi-cultural environment;
• Strong analytical skills combined with the ability to effectively summarize, present, and communicate findings;
• Knowledge of relevant international standards;
• Strong knowledge of IOM/UN policies, practices, guidelines, internal structures and systems;
• Excellent negotiation, writing and presentation skills, ensuring effective communication and persuasive discourse in various professional settings;
• Proven change agent with a strong commitment to fostering a culture of learning and knowledge management.

Languages

IOM’s official languages are English, French and Spanish. 

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

Working knowledge of another official UN language (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.

Required Competencies

IOM’s competency framework can be found at this  link. Competencies will be assessed during the selection process.
Values - all IOM staff members must abide by and demonstrate these three values:

• Inclusion and respect for diversity: Respects and promotes individual and cultural differences. Encourages diversity and inclusion.
• Integrity and transparency: Maintains high ethical standards and acts in a manner consistent with organizational principles/rules and standards of conduct.
• Professionalism: Demonstrates ability to work in a composed, competent and committed manner and exercises careful judgment in meeting day-to-day challenges.
• Courage: Demonstrates willingness to take a stand on issues of importance.
• Empathy: Shows compassion for others, makes people feel safe, respected and fairly treated.
   

Core Competencies – behavioural indicators Level 3

• Teamwork: Develops and promotes effective collaboration within and across units to achieve shared goals and optimize results.
• Delivering results: Produces and delivers quality results in a service-oriented and timely manner. Is action oriented and committed to achieving agreed outcomes.
• Managing and sharing knowledge: Continuously seeks to learn, share knowledge and innovate.
• Accountability: Takes ownership for achieving the Organization’s priorities and assumes responsibility for own actions and delegated work.
• Communication: Encourages and contributes to clear and open communication. Explains complex matters in an informative, inspiring and motivational way.

Managerial Competencies – behavioural indicators Level 3

• Leadership: Provides a clear sense of direction, leads by example and demonstrates the ability to carry out the Organization’s vision. Assists others to realize and develop their leadership and professional potential.
• Empowering others: Creates an enabling environment where staff can contribute their best and develop their potential.
• Building Trust: Promotes shared values and creates an atmosphere of trust and honesty.
• Strategic thinking and vision: Works strategically to realize the Organization’s goals and communicates a clear strategic direction.
• Humility: Leads with humility and shows openness to acknowledging own shortcomings. 

Other

Notes

Internationally recruited professional staff are required to be mobile.

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 endorsed by the Appointments and Postings Board will remain eligible to be appointed in a similar position for a period of 24 months.

The list of NMS countries above includes all IOM Member States which are non-represented in the Professional Category of staff members. For this staff category, candidates who are nationals of the duty station’s country cannot be considered eligible.

Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, security clearances. Subject to certain exemptions, vaccination against COVID-19 will in principle be required for individuals hired on or after 15 November 2021. This will be verified as part of the medical clearance process.

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, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities.

IOM does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process (application, interview, processing, training or other fee). IOM does not request any information related to bank accounts.

IOM only accepts duly completed applications submitted through the IOM e-Recruitment system (for internal candidates link here). The online tool also allows candidates to track the status of their application.

For further information and other job postings, you are welcome to visit our website: IOM Careers and Job Vacancies
 

Required Skills

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