Director of Administration and Finance - Lyon, France - WHO - World Health Organization

Description

PURPOSE OF POSITION
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) is the specialized cancer agency of the World Health Organization. The objective of the IARC is to promote international collaboration in cancer research.

The role of the Services to Science and Research Branch (SSR) is to support the achievement of IARC's scientific objectives through efficient and effective management of the Agency's resources and provision of administrative services, ensuring accountable risk mitigation and implementing strategies to strengthen capacities and maximize IARC's impact.

The SSR branch is responsible for providing efficient, effective and responsive administrative services to the various programmes and activities of the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) in respect of human resources, building management, procurement and supplies, budget and finance (regular and extra-budgetary), information technology (IT), as well as administrative support, for the attainment of the overall objectives of the Agency.

The incumbent has the overall managerial responsibility for the final outcome, as well as for the planning, monitoring and, evaluation of the administrative and financial services of IARC.

The incumbent guides, coordinates, facilitates and supervises the work done by the following service units under his/her responsibility: Administrative Services Office (ASO), Budget and Finance (BFO) including Resource Mobilisation and Grants Office (RMO), IT services (ITS), Human Resources Office (HRO), the incumbent has advisory responsibility in legal matters as well as managerial and organizational development issues in IARC.

Available guidelines and degree of independence in decision-making: Statute and Financial Regulations of IARC. World Health Organization (WHO)'s Basic documents, Staff Rules and Regulations; WHO Manual; IARC Handbook, Resolutions and decisions of the Governing Council, as well as the Programme Budget. Directives of the Director General and Director IARC.

With delegation from the Director IARC, authority permits the incumbent considerable flexibility in the performance of his/her functions.

In coordination with the Director IARC, the incumbent has authority to establish guidelines and directives including the adaptation of WHO guidelines to better meet the specific needs of the Agency.

Contacts inside the Organization:
Director IARC for policy guidance and to solve special problems arising.

Leaders of Research Groupings and Professional staff within Administration and Finance to provide guidance and decisions on policy and programme implementation.

IARC Senior Leadership and Operational Teams. WHO Headquarters to obtain guidance and information, including legal advice.


Contacts outside the Organization:

Host Government (France) and City of Lyon, Government Ministries and national/international institutions, to obtain support and services and to resolve problems requiring intervention at high level; to clarify/inform of IARC financial, administrative and legal issues.

Legal representatives with regard to procedure for the acceptance and settlement of legacies. Travel agent, banks and suppliers to finalize arrangement for goods and services, and to negotiate costs.


DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
1\.

Promotes and supports IARC's objectives by serving as principal adviser to the Director on all administrative, financial, budgetary and legal matters, including matters related to organizational development and the efficient use of IARC's human and financial resources.

2\. In conjunction with the Director, works to create a good working environment throughout IARC.

3\.

Advises on improvement and rationalization of IARC management, in general, and on administrative, budgetary and financial aspects of programme planning and implementation, in particular.

4\. Ensures the correct conduct of financial and budget matters.

5\. On behalf of Director IARC, promotes the security of IARC staff and property.

6\. Provides advice on legal, protocol and diplomatic matters.

7\.

Optimizes, through ongoing review and revision, the IARC administrative policies and procedures to match the requirements of a modern, progressive international research organization.

Notably, to ensure:

• Provision of accurate, timely and informative financial data to scientific branches.
• Efficient routing and clearance of documents.
• High quality space for laboratory and non-laboratory-based scientists as well as administrative staff by maintaining and developing the Agency's premises.
• Communication of the working procedures of Administration and Finance to all staff in order to develop an integrated, cohesive organization with mutual appreciation of scientific and administrative roles.

8\.

Plan, coordinate and direct the overall programme of the administrative services provided to IARC including the Administrative Services with Supply, Registry and the operations and maintenance of IARC's premises, Budget and Finance, Human Resources, IT services, the incumbent must:

• Inspire, guide, coordinate, facilitate, supervise and evaluate the work of the services assigned to the Division of Administration and Finance, providing orientation and leadership to the staff, promoting teamwork and staff development.
• Oversee staff relations and disciplinary matters, including necessary investigation and implementation of the Director's decision thereon.
• Review all legal documents and contracts and deal with all legal and administrative aspects in relation to legacies made to IARC.

9\.

Contributes to IARC programme and policy development by:

• Supporting the Director in strategic planning, including risk projection
• Participating in and supervising the preparation and submission to the Director of the programme budget and related documents.
• Assisting the Director at the Agency's Governing and Scientific Council meetings and present documents or answer questions, as the Director may decide, on administrative, financial and budgetary matters.
• Advising on programme and policy development and on major managerial options.
• Chairing and providing leadership to the IARC Operational Team and participating in the IARC Senior Leadership Team.

10\.

Represents IARC in the areas of administration and finance by:

• Communicating with governments, institutions and donors regarding administrative and financial matters.
• Liaising with French government officials and the City of Lyon.
• Facilitating efforts for the mobilization of extra-budgetary resources.

11\. Performs other related duties as required by the Director.


WHO COMPETENCIES

• Teamwork.
• Communication.
• Creating an empowering and motivating environment.
• Ensuring effective use of resources.
• Moving forward in a changing environment.
• Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond.

FUNCTIONAL SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE

Essential:

• Ability to develop strategy and forward-looking plans.
• Excellent skills in modern management methods.
• Proven skills in organization development and change management.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.

Desirable: Knowledge of WHO administrative and financial policies and practices.


REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

Essential:
Advanced university degree in law, finance, economics, public or business administration, or other fields related to management.


Desirable: Training in modern management-related techniques such as digital workplace and digital integration, data-driven decision making, etc. Advanced certified training in project management.


PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Essential:

At least 15 years' experience in progressively senior positions in administration and finance of a large public sector organization, including management of a large budget, with a minimum of 7 years of experience within the United Nations common system.

Desirable: Experience in administration of reputed biomedical research institute.


USE OF LANGUAGE SKILLS
Excellent knowledge of English or French with a good working knowledge of the other language.


OTHER SKILLS (e.g. IT)
Familiarity with enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems such as SAP or Workday.


REMUNERATION
WHO salaries for staff in the Professional category are calculated in US dollars.

The remuneration for the above position comprises an annual base salary starting at USD 106,023 (subject to applicable deductions), a variable post adjustment, which reflects the cost of living in a particular duty station, and currently amounts to USD 5,009 per month for the duty station indicated above (subject to change).

Other benefits include 30 days of annual leave, allowances for dependent family members, home leave, and an education grant for dependent children.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• This vacancy notice may be used to fill other similar positions at the same grade level or lower.
• Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.
• A written test and/or presentation/seminar may be used as a form of screening.
• If your candidature is retained for an interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. IARC/WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

The list can be accessed through the link:
Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and will require individual review.

• According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible.
• Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to WHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules, and Manual noting that first year of fixed term contracts is a probationary period which maybe extended subject to performance evaluation.
• For information on IARC's operations please visit: , and for more general information on WHO's operations please visit: .
• IARC/WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The IARC/WHO recruits and employs staff regardless of disability status, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, language, race, marital status, religious, cultural, ethnic, and socio-economic backgrounds, or any other personal characteristics.
• IARC/WHO is committed to achieving gender parity and geographical diversity in its staff. Women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of unrepresented and underrepresented Participating States are strongly encouraged to apply for IARC/WHO jobs. Persons with disabilities can request reasonable accommodations to enable participation in the recruitment process. Requests for reasonable accommodation should be sent through an email to .
• An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential. IARC/WHO prides itself on a workforce that adheres to the highest ethical and professional standards and that is committed to put the IARC/WHO Values Charter into practice.
• IARC/WHO has zero tolerance towards sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct (i.e., discrimination, abuse of authority and harassment). All members of the IARC/WHO workforce have a role to play in promoting a safe and respectful workplace and should report to IARC/WHO any actual or suspected cases of SEA, sexual harassment, and other types of abusive conduct. To ensure that individuals with a substantiated history of SEA, sexual harassment or other types of abusive conduct are not hired by the Organization, IARC/WHO will conduct a background verification of final candidates.
• IARC/WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
• IARC/WHO also offers wide range of benefits to staff, including parental leave and attractive flexible work arrangements to help promote a healthy work-life balance and to allow all staff members to fully express and develop their talents.
• The statutory retirement age for staff appointments is 65. For external applicants, only those who are expected to complete the term of appointment will normally be considered.
• Staff members in other duty stations are encouraged to apply.
• Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with IARC/WHO and an underlying premise of the international civil service. Candidates appointed to an international post with IARC/WHO are subject to mobility and may be assigned to any activity or duty station of the Organization throughout the world.