Director

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This is an external vacancy notice open to external candidates and WTO staff. It is posted on the WTO internal as well as external career site. Eligible WTO staff on short-term, fixed-term or regular contracts and interns must apply through the Workday internal career site.

This is a Fixed-term contract funded through the regular budget. The duration will be two years with the possibility of extension, unless specified in the vacancy notice.

The WTO seeks to attract and retain staff members offering the highest standards of competence, efficiency and integrity and to build an organization that is representative of the Members and People it serves. As an equal opportunity and inclusive employer, the WTO gives full regard to competence and welcome applications from qualified candidates irrespective of age, disability status, gender, nationality, race, religion, sexual orientation, social origin or any other characteristic. Applications from non-represented Members (link) are particularly encouraged for all positions.

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This vacancy notice is re-posted to solicit a broader pool of candidates. Candidates who previously applied need not reapply.

The Secretariat of the WTO seeks to fill the position of Director of the Finance and Corporate Services Division.

General Functions

The Finance and Corporate Services Division (FCSD) comprises financial management (including budget), procurement, security and safety, facilities management, and conference and visitor services (including interpretation).  Reporting to a Deputy Director-General (DDG), and working closely with the Office of the Director-General and the Director of Vision and Strategy, the Director of FCSD oversees all aspects of financial management, including budgeting, expenditure tracking, financial reporting, External Auditor coordination, and financial systems implementation. S/he contributes to the formulation of the strategic and operational plans of the WTO Secretariat and is accountable for ensuring and monitoring delivery against financial plans. In addition, the Director is responsible for developing the administrative and resource management policies of the Organization, overseeing their implementation, and reporting to senior management. The individual must be a strong leader with a solid financial background, able to manage a staff handling diverse portfolio of responsibilities. The Director must also be an astute liaison with the Members of the WTO, keenly aware of their needs and often divergent viewpoints.

The Director will be expected to deliver on the following:

1.         Provide strategic leadership for finance and corporate services and policies across the organization. Develop and implement the cost-effective use of divisional and organizational-wide resources and budgets to achieve the required service outputs based on a well-considered and strategic assessment of needs, working with the Vision and Strategy and Human Resources Divisions as well as senior management. 

2.         Monitor the adequacy of resources for (i) regular budget (primarily assessed contributions from Members and Observers) and (ii) extra-budgetary fund activities (voluntary contributions from donors) to ensure that Secretariat functions are carried out in a timely and cost-effective manner.

3.         Ensure that the Organization performs within budget and achieves year-on-year efficiency gains and that administrative service costs are in line with benchmarks in other international organizations.

4.         Operate as Secretary of the Committee on Budget, Finance and Administration with responsibility for organizing meetings, preparing and presenting effective documentation, and providing authoritative and strategic advice, particularly financial, to senior management and to the Committee and its Members.  Build trust and an effective relationship with the Committee Chair and Members by adhering to principles of good governance, respect, and transparency.

5.         Manage the overall financial, procurement, security, facilities, and conference services operations of the WTO, including services provided by external vendors.

6.         Lead and motivate the Division, providing guidance to staff in carrying out their responsibilities at all levels. Set out the accountabilities and objectives for direct reports, assess their performance, and implement any changes required. Build and maintain a cohesive Divisional team, developing the potential of team members, ensuring they are trained as required, and providing leadership by setting standards and being a good leader and role model.

7.         Work to strengthen financial, procurement, security, facilities, interpretation and conference services processes and policies. Contribute to long-term organizational planning, coordinating closely with the Chief of Staff, Director of Human Resources, and Director of Vision and Strategy. Review operational policies to ensure that they reflect current good practice and support evolving organizational and staff needs.

8.         Oversee the overall relationship with the External Auditor, assuring effective and transparent responses to auditor recommendations and requests for information.

9.         Devise and ensure continuous improvements in service provision in order to maximize efficiency and value for money. Identify opportunities to streamline services, including through the cost-effective use of IT.

10.       Provide information, support, and advice to the Director-General, DDGs, and Directors as required.

11.       Promote and represent the WTO externally, including at international organizations' financial management networks.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

Professional accounting qualification, ACA/CPA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent, in addition to a basic university degree; or advanced university degree with specialization in finance, accounting, or a related field.

Knowledge and Skills:

Technical Knowledge and Skills:

The Director of FCSD must possess in-depth knowledge of several areas of financial management principles and practices, including strong knowledge of IPSAS (International Public Sector Accounting Standards) standards, budgeting, accounting, and financial risk management. Knowledge and understanding of corporate service functions such as procurement, security and safety, facilities management, and conference and visitor services, is highly desirable.

S/he must have good analytical skills, possess an ability to develop a strategic vision for the financial management of the organization and the corporate services provided by the division, recognize competing interests, be able to effectively prioritize in an environment of scarce resources, and present sound solutions, both orally and in writing, in a convincing manner. He/she must have good presentation skills for communication both inside the WTO Secretariat and with WTO Members, other international organizations, and various stakeholders.

Behavioural Skills:

The FCSD Director must have the skills to guide, empower, and motivate a team of about 70 staff members to excel in their jobs, including supporting line managers. He/she must demonstrate the ability to understand and respond to the needs of the Divisions and senior management, as well as the requirements of WTO Members.  He/she must be able to represent the division's interests effectively in interactions with other divisions, while working to reach the best outcomes for the Secretariat and WTO Members.  He/she must be a strategic thinker and doer, attuned to political nuance expressed by diverse stakeholders and with proven ability to effectively manage often conflicting needs in an environment of scarce resources.

The successful candidate must have strong interpersonal skills and be able to manage conflict. He/she must be clear and confident in presenting comprehensive and respectful explanations when making unpopular decisions. He/she must be able to accommodate opposing views, lead and engage in productive dialogue with all stakeholders, and have the skill to win people over to new ideas and approaches. S/he must be a proactive communicator, and a results-oriented and patient service provider, with strong commitment to discretion and integrity.  He/she must be self-aware and mindful of the impression he/she conveys to diverse stakeholders.

Work Experience:

At least fifteen years' of relevant professional experience, including several years of senior level experience in a comparable organization (international organization, public sector, or non-profit organization, or equivalent). Proven experience in the financial management of an organization.

Languages:

Proficiency in English and working level in French. Knowledge of Spanish is an asset.

Additional Information:

The WTO Secretariat has retained SRI Executive to undertake the candidate search for this position. Eligible applicants meeting the requirements of the position will be contacted by SRI Executive.

Additional Information:

Only applications from nationals of WTO Members will be accepted. 

The recruitment process will be undertaken as per Administrative Memorandum No. 976 (OFFICE(16)/15) on Staff Promotions and external recruitment through Vacancy Notices.

The initial fixed-term contract for positions up to grade 10 shall normally be two years, which shall be probationary, as per Administrative Memorandum No. 997 (OFFICE(23)/4) on Probation Policy. For Director positions, the Policy on evaluation of directors apply as per Administrative Memorandum No. 978 (OFFICE(17)/29).

The WTO may use various communication technologies such as video or teleconference for the assessment and evaluation of candidates. The recruitment process may also involve the use of various forms of testing, assessment centres, interviews and reference checks. 

Applicants may be required to sit a written examination. 

Applicants will be contacted directly if selected for an interview. 

Candidates not selected whose performance in the selection process nevertheless shows them to be suitable for a similar position may be kept on a roster for up to 24 months, and may subsequently be called upon as and when the need arises for additional resources.

All applicants are encouraged to apply online as soon as possible after the vacancy has been posted and well before the closing date – Geneva (Switzerland) time – stated in the vacancy announcement. 

PLEASE NOTE THAT APPLICATIONS RECEIVED AFTER THE CLOSING DATE WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. 

The WTO is a non-smoking environment.