Head, Pay and Entitlements Unit

Job Description

Organizational Context

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.

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.

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.

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.

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:

• 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.
• Team management: Motivate, coach and supervise staff to enhance performance while maintaining internal controls and segregation of duties.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Financial Reporting and Data Analytics: Analyze payroll and ICS accounts, prepare regular reports, and use data analytics to support strategic, data-driven decision-making.
• 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.
• 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.

DEADLINE: November 20, 2025