Head, Pay and Entitlements Unit

IMPORTANT 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.

1.     Organizational Context

a.    Organizational Setting

The post is in the Pay and Entitlements Unit within the Finance Division in the Department of Program Planning and Finance. The Finance Division is responsible for the management of WIPO's financial accounting and reporting, treasury management and compliance with financial policies and procedures. Included within these responsibilities are the management of the Organization's cash position, production of statutory financial reports and other financial information, and coordination with oversight and financial control activities.

b.    Purpose Statement

As Head of the Pay and Entitlements Unit, the incumbent is responsible for ensuring accurate and timely processing of payroll in compliance with the ICSC framework. This role includes overseeing the accuracy of accounting information, maintaining robust financial controls, and driving continuous improvements in payroll-related systems and processes.

The incumbent will also play a role in the ERP transformation, working closely with the Human Resources Management Department (HRMD) and other key stakeholders to help re-engineer business processes. This includes overseeing the implementation of a next-generation payroll system that anticipates and addresses the organization's evolving needs.

c.    Reporting Lines

The incumbent reports primarily to the Director of the Finance Division. 
 

In addition, the Head of Human Resources Operations Service will provide inputs to the Director of Finance for performance purposes, specifically focusing on work integration with HR Operations to ensure a seamless and efficient payroll operation process.

d.    Work Relations

The incumbent guides and supervises the unit and interacts with a wide range of colleagues, clients within the Organization and with external parties, such as other UN organizations, and financial institutions to resolve issues and follow up on finance-related matters.

Duties and Responsibilities

The incumbent will perform the following principal duties:

a.   Operational Excellence: Oversee daily operations, ensuring processes align with best practices. Ensure timely and accurate payroll processing, manage tax reconciliation, respond to audit queries, and proactively identify and mitigate risks.

b.   Team management: Motivate, coach and supervise staff to enhance performance while maintaining internal controls and segregation of duties.

c.   Comprehensive Payroll Management: Manage end-to-end payroll operations for both domestic and international staff, including UPOV and individual contractors, ensuring compliance with financial regulations.

d.   System Integration and ERP Collaboration: Lead the integration of new payroll framework and related systems in coordination with Finance and HR, as part of WIPO's ERP transformation.

e.   Strategic Leadership and Modernization: Monitor emerging trends and lead business process re-engineering, change management and modernization efforts, including beyond ERP transformation, to ensure future readiness.

f.    Financial Reporting and Data Analytics: Analyze payroll and ICS accounts, prepare regular reports, and use data analytics to support strategic, data-driven decision-making.

g.   Stakeholder collaboration and Partnerships: Collaborate with HR and stakeholders to re-engineer payroll processes, enhancing efficiency and alignment with best practices. Foster effective relationships with internal stakeholders, resolve payroll issues efficiently, and engage with international peers on best practices.

h.   Perform such other related duties as required.

Requirements

Education (Essential)

Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in business administration, finance, accounting, or a related field. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Education (Desirable)

Certification as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Chartered Accountant (ACA), or equivalent is desirable.

Certification in data analytics.

Experience (Essential)

A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible professional experience in accounting or finance, with at least three years in payroll and payments in an international organization.

Experience leading or contributing as a subject matter expert in ERP system implementation or revamping, particularly across various modules.

Proven track record in modernizing finance or payroll functions through technology and managing payroll system development and process improvement projects.

Experience managing a team.

Language (Essential)

Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English.

Language (Desirable)

Good knowledge of another UN language.

Job Related Competencies (Essential)

In-depth knowledge of payroll processes, accounting principles, financial regulations, and compliance standards.

Strong analytical skills with the ability to collect, organize, analyze, and disseminate significant amounts of information with attention to detail and accuracy.

Ability to identify and implement best practices in payroll management and financial reporting.

Ability to interpret accounting standards and develop and implement accounting policies and plans to ensure correct accounting practices and adequate control.

Ability to use payroll systems, enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, and related financial software.

Ability to apply principles of change management and proactively serve as a role model for transformation.

Excellent managerial skills and ability to provide leadership and motivate staff.

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and ability to maintain effective partnerships and working relations in a multicultural environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.

Excellent organizational skills, with the ability to work within strict time constraints to meet deadlines.

Organizational Competencies

1.     Communicating effectively.

2.     Showing team spirit.

3.     Demonstrating integrity.

4.     Valuing diversity.

5.     Producing results.

6.     Showing service orientation.

7.     Seeing the big picture.

8.     Seeking change and innovation.

9.     Developing yourself and others.

Information

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.

Annual salary:

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 October 2025 rate of 88.7%25

P4

Annual salary

      $77,326

Post adjustment

      $68,588

Total Salary

      $145,914

Currency USD

Salaries and allowances are paid in Swiss francs at the official rate of exchange of the United Nations.

Please refer to WIPO's Staff Regulation and Rules for detailed information concerning salaries, benefits and allowances.

Additional Information

* 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: 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.