Controller, Chief Financial Officer and Director

Responsibilities

• Advise and assist the High Commissioner and Senior Executive Team in the formulation of financial, administrative, and resource management strategies, policies, and priorities.
• Lead the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of UNHCR's financial management framework, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives and humanitarian priorities.
• Provide strategic direction and oversight for global budgeting, resource allocation, financial planning, accounting, treasury, financial reporting, and related management processes.
• Ensure the preparation and certification of UNHCR's annual financial statements in accordance with IPSAS, United Nations regulations,

Benefits

Additional Information

Deadline for Applications July 7, 2026 Hardship Level H (no hardship) Family Type Family Residential location (if applicable) Grade DI2 Staff Member / Affiliate Type Professional Reason Regular > Regular Assignment Target Start Date 2026-08-01 Standard Job Description Controller, Chief Financial Officer and Director Organizational Setting and Work Relationships The Controller is the principal advisor to the High Commissioner and Senior Executive Team on all matters relating to financial management, budget and resource allocation, accounting and financial reporting, treasury operations, financial controls, administrative management, official travel, facilities and premises management, fleet management, and the stewardship of organizational resources. The Controller reports to the Deputy High Commissioner and, on matters related to the Financial Rules, directly to the High Commissioner. As Director of the Division of Resource Management (DRM), the Controller provides strategic leadership and oversight of UNHCR's global financial management framework, including budgeting, accounting, treasury, financial reporting, resource allocation, internal controls, financial systems, and related administrative management functions. The Controller is responsible for ensuring that the Organization's financial and administrative resources are managed in a manner that supports operational delivery, organizational priorities, and accountability to forcibly displaced and stateless people, donors, governing bodies, and other stakeholders. As head of administration, the Controller has responsibilities for global facilities management, travel, and fleet management. As an effort to reduce the carbon footprint of the Organization, the Controller is also responsible for the "greening the blue" global activities. The Controller leads the development and implementation of financial and administrative policies, strategies, and governance frameworks that promote transparency, efficiency, compliance, and value for money across the Organization. The incumbent plays a central role in strengthening organizational resilience and enabling evidence-based decision-making through robust financial planning, analytics, performance management, and risk-informed resource allocation. The Controller champions the modernization of UNHCR's financial and administrative management functions through digital transformation, business process optimization, automation, data analytics, and innovative service delivery models. The incumbent ensures that financial and administrative systems, policies, and practices evolve to meet the changing needs of a global humanitarian organization operating in increasingly complex environments. The Controller directs a globally distributed workforce and collaborates closely with Headquarters divisions, Regional Bureaux, Country Operations, Global Service Centres, and other corporate functions. The incumbent maintains regular engagement with the High Commissioner, Deputy High Commissioner, Assistant High Commissioners, Directors, Representatives, and other senior managers on strategic, operational, and governance matters. Externally, the Controller represents UNHCR in engagements with donors, member states, the Executive Committee, the United Nations Board of Auditors, oversight bodies, United Nations system organizations, financial institutions, and other stakeholders. The incumbent is expected to exercise a high degree of professional judgement, political awareness, and leadership in representing the Organization on matters relating to financial management, governance, accountability, organizational performance, and business transformation. All UNHCR staff members are accountable to perform their duties as reflected in their job description. They do so within their delegated authorities, in line with the regulatory framework of UNHCR which includes the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, UNHCR Policies and Administrative Instructions as well as relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, staff members are required to discharge their responsibilities in a manner consistent with the core, functional, cross-functional and managerial competencies and UNHCR's core values of professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity.

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