Chief, Accounts, Finance Branch, Division for Management Services, New York, P-5

The Position:

The Chief, Accounts position is part of the Finance Branch of the Division for Management Services. The Finance Branch is responsible for leading global finance, including financial operations management, key financial and accounting policies and processes, accounting and treasury services; overseeing improvement efforts in areas of financial operations; ensuring the ERP and related financial systems are configured and functioning to manage, monitor and report on key financial processes and information, and that the Financial Statements are prepared based on the International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS). The Branch also plays a key role in the custody and distribution of financial resources, improving global financial management, monitoring of expenditures, liabilities and fund balances, and producing statutory, financial management and donor reporting. 

How you can make a difference:

UNFPA is the lead United Nations agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is intended, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. The UNFPA Strategic Plan for 2026-2029 articulates the organization’s response to a complex global environment, providing a roadmap for resilience and renewal. It is designed to accelerate the implementation of the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. This mandate is pursued through a focus on four interconnected outcomes: ending the unmet need for family planning; ending preventable maternal deaths; ending gender-based violence and harmful practices; and adapting to demographic change through evidence and rights-based policies. 

In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, we need principled and ethical staff, who embody these international norms and standards and who will defend them courageously and with full conviction.

UNFPA is seeking candidates who transform, inspire, and deliver high-impact and sustained results and ensure effective external relations, communications, and partnership-building and resource mobilization in a rapidly changing development and funding landscape. We need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them, and who commit to delivering excellence in programme results.

Job Purpose:

The Chief, Accounts will oversee  the Data Management Unit (DMU), the Statutory Reporting Unit (SRU) and the Revenue and Donor Reporting Unit (RDRU) and work in partnership with other units of the Finance Branch (Global Monitoring and Advisory Team, Accounting and Payments Unit (APU)  as well as the Information Technology Solutions Office (ITSO), the Resource Mobilization Branch (RMB), the Supply Chain Management Unit (SCMU), and colleagues in field offices. You will report directly to the Chief, Finance Branch. This role ensures an  efficient and effective financial operations framework is in place, including policies, systems and processes that are aligned with UNFPA’s mission and regulations and enable an agile operating environment.

You would be responsible for:

1. Strategic management and HR management 

• Provide strategic and timely advice to the Chief, Finance Branch on high priority technical areas and staff engagement, and deputize as needed. 
• Actively participate as part of the Branch Senior Management Team and as part of the broader DMS Management Team.
• Contribute to the strategic direction of the Finance Branch and facilitate and report on an inclusive branch annual workplan in line with the UNFPA Strategic Plan
• Oversee and manage the DMU, SRU and RDRU teams, including performance management, career progression and professional growth of team members.

2. Partnerships, Knowledge management, Communication and Training

• Maintain active and positive relationships with key partners for the Finance branch, including ITSO, DER, SCMU, and the wider UNFPA operations community. 
• Provide quality guidance to field offices and HQ Units; and oversee the Branch responsiveness through the global service desk.
• Contribute to communication, training and knowledge transfer within the branch and more broadly within UNFPA on accounting topics, including IT systems under the purview of the Finance Branch.

3. Innovation, Policy, Process and systems efficiency 

Working with the Team Leads: 

• Oversee branch business efficiency and effectiveness innovations with an emphasis on management by exception and technology solutions
• Ensure the ERP and related systems are adapted for new IPSAS standards adopted by UNFPA.
• Maintain the policies of the Finance Branch, a