Comptroller and Director, Division of Finance and Management

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfil their potential. Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone. And we never give up.

About the role

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programs, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favoritism.

Under the overall authority of the Executive Director and under the oversight of the Deputy Executive Director-Management, the Comptroller will direct and manage the organization’s global financial, budget, accounting and administrative management operations and contribute to senior management decision-making to help ensure UNICEF effectively lives up to its mandate to protect the rights of every child worldwide. The Comptroller plays an integral role in ensuring that UNICEF is an effective, efficient organization for children in a rapidly changing world.

This position is available from December 2026.

Responsibilities

• Monitors UNICEF’s financial performance to ensure achievement of global organizational objectives and goals.
• Develops, implements, and ensures adherence to global financial, accounting, budgetary and administrative policies and procedures.
• Establishes internal control mechanisms, performance standards, and measurements to ensure the organisation's assets are protected, resources are efficiently and effectively utilised, and all operational transactions are in accordance with the UN/UNICEF Financial Regulations and Rules.
• Formulates and implements strategic risk management approaches in conjunction with the DED Management and Chief Risk Officer. In particular, working with regional offices, shifts organizational culture from post facto risk management to ex ante corporate risk management.
• Formulates the organization's financial plans and participates in the formulation of the strategic plans and integrated budget. Proposes liquidity policy to the Executive Director and monitors its application to minimize risk and maximize utilization of resources.
• Directs and supervises the activities of the Division of Financial and Administrative Management (DFAM) and provides financial guidance to senior management on financial, accounting, budget and administrative matters throughout the organization.
• Oversees the Global Strategic Operations function, supporting Regional and Country offices, ensuring collaboration from all levels within the organization and providing technical support and direction.
• Manages and approves financial operations related to the organization's assets and liabilities, revenue, and expenses. Directs the opening and management of all UNICEF bank accounts and authorizes transfer and payment of funds. Decides, with the advice of a UNICEF Financial Advisory Committee, on the investment of funds. Monitors return on investments and takes action to minimize investment risk.
• Ensures compliance with relevant financial accountability requirements and timely reporting to Governing Bodies, Donors and UNICEF management. Develops and ensures adherence to accounting policies.
• Oversees the preparation and utilization of the institutional budget. In collaboration with relevant divisions, monitors the allocation and implementation of the programme and private sector budgets.
• Contributes to the identification and formulation of innovative financing modalities in collaboration with UNICEF’s Partnerships teams.
• Advises the Office of the Executive Director on the development of broad organizational operational objectives and policy issues. Ensures issuance of operational and financial policies and their consistent application throughout the Organization.
• Contributes to financial planning and level of UNICEF expenditures and activities based on available and expected resources. Monitors and reports financial results in relation to budget plans.
• Provides oversight of global premises, fleet management and travel, including eco-sustainability and accessibility, and business continuity.
• Serves as Chairperson of the Contract Review Committee (CRC) and the Insurance and Property Survey Board, which monitors UNICEF's self-insurance scheme and approves purchase of commercial insurance.
• Coordinates all relations of UNICEF with the United Nations Board of Auditors and other UN bodies as needed.
• Acts for the Deputy Executive Director (Management) as required. Participates in UNICEF Executive Board meetings, providing guidance and advice to the Executive Director on financial and budgetary matters.
• Provides authoritative advice and decisions along with principles for new guidelines related to financial management.
• Contributes to improved ERM discourse and decision-making.

Requirements

• Advanced university degree in finance, accounting, business administration, or a related field and internationally recognized professional certification (e.g., CPA, CA, ACCA or equivalent) is required. Knowledge of IPSAS, IFRS or GAAP is highly desirable.
• A first-level university degree in similar fields in combination with two additional years of qualifying relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
• At least 15 years of professional financial management experience at a senior level in large organizations. Previous experience with the United Nations or international organizations with operations in humanitarian or development context is an asset.
• Fluency in English required. Knowledge of another UN working language is desired.

Skills

• Background and knowledge of reporting implications of innovative and structured finance instruments is highly desirable.
• Proven record of progressively responsible leadership experience in financial management and accounting.
• Strong leadership and people management skills to lead large teams and collaborate with internal and external stakeholders.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills to effectively convey financial information and insights to stakeholders.

Competencies

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it.

• Builds and maintains partnerships (level III)
• Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness (level III)
• Drive to achieve results for impact (level III)
• Innovates and embraces change (level III)
• Manages ambiguity and complexity (level III)
• Thinks and acts strategically (level III)
• Works collaboratively with others (level III)
• Nurtures, leads and manages people (level III)