Head of Finance, Risk and Management Services

The Head of Finance, Risk and Management Services provides strategic leadership, direction and oversight of finance, risk management, compliance, assurance and management services functions within the Country Office. The incumbent serves as a principal advisor to senior management on financial stewardship, governance, resource management, internal controls, operational efficiency and risk-informed decision-making, ensuring that enabling services effectively support programmatic delivery and organizational objectives.

Responsibilities

• Define the strategic direction, priorities and integrated workplans for Finance, Risk and Management Services functions, ensuring alignment with country strategy, operational priorities, corporate objectives and available resources.
• Advise senior management on strategic, financial, governance and operational matters, providing analysis and recommendations to support decision-making, resource allocation and organizational performance.
• Lead the integration of risk management, compliance, assurance and business continuity considerations into planning processes, operational reviews and management decision-making.
• Direct all finance operations of the Country Office, ensuring effective management of budgeting, accounting, treasury, disbursements, financial reporting, receivables, payables and cash management activities.
• Ensure timely and accurate month-end and year-end closures, IPSAS-compliant reporting, bank reconciliations, financial statement preparation and adherence to corporate financial regulations.
• Provide authoritative advice on donor funding, project budgets, contribution utilization, cost recovery, operational viability and resource optimization.
• Lead financial oversight of Cash-Based Transfer operations, partner funding arrangements, operational advances and complex financial transactions while ensuring robust fiduciary controls.
• Serve as Risk & Compliance focal point for the country office in charge of establishing and maintaining a comprehensive enterprise risk management framework, ensuring identification, assessment, mitigation and monitoring of strategic, operational, fiduciary and compliance risks ensuring risks are effectively managed and escalated where required.
• Monitor oversight recommendations and management action plans arising from audits, reviews and investigations, ensuring timely implementation and sustained compliance.
• Promote adherence to organizational regulations, Anti-Fraud and Anti-Corruption policies, conflict-of-interest requirements, accountability standards and ethical conduct frameworks.
• Coordinate responses to audit observations and recommendations, ensuring high-quality submissions, effective follow-up mechanisms and continuous strengthening of internal controls.
• Provide strategic oversight of management services functions including administration, facilities management, asset management, fleet operations, travel services, protocol and workplace safety.
• Drive efficiency and cost optimization initiatives through contract reviews, utilization analysis, service rationalization and strengthened vendor management practices.
• Support UN Reform and inter-agency initiatives, including common premises, common back-office, shared services and harmonized business operations where relevant, to improve service quality, efficiency and cost savings.
• Lead financial assessments, due diligence reviews and capacity evaluations of cooperating partners, service providers and implementing entities.
• Assess financial viability, internal control systems and fiduciary risks and develop mitigation measures to safeguard organizational resources.
• Provide guidance and capacity strengthening to partners on financial management, reporting requirements and compliance obligations.
• Lead, coach and develop multidisciplinary teams across finance, administration, risk and management services functions, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation and continuous learning.
• Establish performance expectations, manage workforce planning and succession efforts, and build technical capacity of staff and partners to ensure sustainable service delivery.
• Represent the organization in engagements with government authorities, financial institutions, auditors, UN agencies, donors, service providers and strategic and governmental partners on matters related to finance, governance, risk and management services.

Requirements

• Advanced university degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, Public Administration, Audit, Risk Management, International Development or other relevant field, or first university degree with additional years of related work experience and/or training/courses.
• Membership in an internationally recognized professional accountancy body such as ACCA, ICPA/CPA or equivalent is desirable.
• Experience in financial management, accounting, budgeting, and reporting.
• Experience in administration, asset management, facilities management, travel, fleet, or other management services functions.
• Experience in risk management and internal controls.
• Experience supervising staff and managing cross-functional activities.
• 3 Years of relevant experience.
• Fluency in English and French (Level C written and spoken).
• Knowledge of Arabic, or another UN language is an advantage

Skills

• Finance Management
• Accounting
• Budgeting
• Financial Reporting
• Risk Management
• Internal Controls
• Asset Management
• Facilities Management
• Travel Management
• Fleet Management Operations
• Staff Supervision
• Cross-functional Management
• Strategic Leadership
• Compliance Management
• Assurance Services
• Resource Management
• Operational Efficiency
• Financial Stewardship

Languages

English, French, Arabic