OverviewJob Description - Head, Governance, Risk and Compliance Section (25312-FT)Head, Governance, Risk and Compliance Section - 25312-FTPlanning, Budget and Risk Management Division, Department of Program Planning and Finance, Administration, Finance and Management SectorGrade - P5Contract Duration - 2 years *Duty Station: CH-GenevaPublication Date: 11-Sep-2025Application Deadline: 10-Oct-2025, 9:59:00 PMIMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING APPLICATION DEADLINE: please note that the deadline for applications is indicated in local time as per the time zone of the applicant’s location.
Organizational Context
Organizational Setting: The post is located in the Governance, Risk and Compliance Section (GRC) within the Division of Planning, Budget and Risk Management and Department of Program Planning and Finance. The Department of Program Planning and Finance encompasses the Division of Planning, Budget and Risk Management and the Finance Division. The GRC Section is responsible for risk management, internal controls and the development of the WIPO financial policy and regulatory framework. It also provides the Secretariat of the Program and Budget Committee (PBC).
Purpose Statement: The Head of Governance, Risk and Compliance, is responsible for continuous improvement in the maturity of WIPO's Enterprise Risk Management and Internal Control System. The Head oversees the processes and tools to ensure good governance, active management of risks to achieve Expected Results and adherence to the WIPO regulatory framework. In this context, the Head also interacts with independent assurance and oversight bodies and facilitates the work of the Risk Management Group. The Head supports the Controller and Assistant Controller in coordinating policy and regulatory development to ensure that the regulatory framework is fit for purpose. This includes overseeing the further development and maintenance of the Internal Policy Portal to ensure a cohesive hierarchical regulatory framework. He/she also supports the first and second line with tools, including data analytics, to ensure compliance. The Head actively engages with audit and oversight entities, including the Internal Oversight Division, the External Auditors, the WIPO Independent Advisory Oversight Committee (IAOC) and the UN Joint Inspection Unit (JIU), to facilitate the structured follow-up and implementation of audit and oversight recommendations. The Head facilitates the smooth functioning of the Secretariat of the Program and Budget Committee.
Reporting Lines: The incumbent works under the supervision of the Assistant Controller / Director Planning, Budget and Risk Management.
Work Relations: The incumbent works in close cooperation with multiple entities across the Organization, notably Sector Leads, Directors and senior staff.
Duties and Responsibilities
Ensure risk management and internal controls are fully integrated, embedded and continuously strengthened in the planning, implementation and monitoring, assessment and reporting processes and systems in accordance with business needs; function as Secretary to the Risk Management Group; oversee the further development of the Enterprise Risk Management System (ERM).
Advance the use of data analytics to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the internal control system; undertake periodic reviews of the efficiency and effectiveness of internal controls.
Advocate risk management and internal controls throughout the Organization through awareness raising, training and through the engagement of Sector Leads in the risk dialogue; develop the Director General’s Statement on Internal Control for the annual financial statements and provide supporting evidence of key controls to Sector Leads to underpin their signing of Management Representation Letters.
Promote an anti-fraud culture through raising fraud awareness, development of training, fraud risk assessments and collaboration across the Organization.
Engage with audit and oversight entities (including acting as a focal point for the Joint Inspection Unit) to identify and manage risk and facilitate dialogue through thematic analysis and reporting; ensure that risks are continuously monitored and mitigated.
Oversee the development and implementation of the WIPO accountability framework; ensure the regulatory framework is updated in sync with business needs and effectively translated into the administrative and management systems.
Support the Controller and Assistant Controller / Director Planning, Budget and Risk Management in planning, conducting and managing the Program and Budget Committee.
Represent the Governance, Risk and Compliance Section on internal and external bodies; strengthen cooperation within the UN inter-agency system; develop and share knowledge of emerging and best practices in the risk management and internal controls field.
Effectively and efficiently manage the personnel and non-personnel resources of the Section.
Perform other related duties as required.
Requirements
Education: Advanced university degree in finance, business administration, economics or other related field. A first-level university degree in one of the aforementioned disciplines plus two years of relevant experience in addition to the essential experience mentioned below may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.
Experience (Essential): At least 10 years of relevant professional experience including in risk management, internal controls and compliance. Demonstrated expertise in developing and implementing enterprise-wide governance and risk management frameworks as well as internal control and compliance systems. Experience working in an international organization. Excellent written and spoken knowledge of English. Knowledge of other official UN languages.
Job Related Competencies (Essential): Excellent and proven knowledge of risk management and internal control frameworks and their application in an international setting. Strong analytical skills, with a track record of sound judgment and integrity in high-stakes environments. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and ability to build relationships with key strategic partners and maintain effective partnerships and working relations in a multi-cultural environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity. Demonstrated understanding of the principles of results-based management, and its inter-linkages with risk management. Sound judgment and integrity. Proficient user of EPM/ERM/ERP applications, Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint) and the internet.
Job Related Competencies (Desirable): Understanding of WIPO's work and its stakeholders. Understanding of the regulatory and the working environment of UN and/or related agencies or other international organizations.
Inform
Mobility: WIPO staff members are international civil servants subject to the authority of the Director General and may be assigned to any activities, office or duty station of the Organization. Accordingly, the selected candidate may be required to move from time to time to new functions and/or to another duty station.
Total annual salary consists of a net annual salary (net of taxes and before medical insurance and pension fund deductions) in US dollars and a post adjustment. Please note that this estimate is for information only. The post adjustment multiplier (cost of living allowance) is variable and subject to change (increase or decrease) without notice. The figures quoted below are based on the August2025 rate of 88.7%.
P5$92,731Post adjustment$82,252$174,983Currency USDSalaries and allowances are paid in Swiss francs at the official rate of exchange of the United Nations.
* Initial period of two years, renewable, subject to satisfactory performance. No fixed-term appointment or any extension hereof shall carry with it any expectancy of, nor imply any right to, (further) extensions or conversion to a permanent appointment.
This vacancy announcement may be used to fill other posts at the same grade with similar functions in accordance with Staff Rule 4.9.5.
Applications from qualified women as well as from qualified nationals of unrepresented Member States of WIPO and underrepresented geographical regions are encouraged. Please click on the following links for the list of unrepresented Member States and the list of underrepresented regions and the WIPO Member States in these regions.
The Organization reserves the right to make an appointment at a grade lower than that advertised.
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By completing an application, candidates understand that any willful misrepresentation made on this web site, or on any other documents submitted to WIPO during the application, may result in disqualification from the recruitment process, or termination of employment with WIPO at a later date, if that employment resulted from such willful misrepresentations.
In the event that your candidature is shortlisted, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of your identification and the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. WIPO recognizes higher educational qualifications obtained from institutions accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list maintained by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed here: http://www.whed.net/. Some higher educational qualifications may not be listed in WHED, and will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
Additional testing/interviewing may be used as a form of screening. Initial appointment is subject to satisfactory professional references.
Additional background checks may be required.
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