Comptroller and Director of Finance

About the role

The Comptroller and Director of Finance provides strategic financial leadership for the World Health Organization, advising senior executives on best‑practice, risk‑based financial management and ensuring transparency across all fiscal activities.

Key responsibilities

• Oversee financial accounting, reporting, treasury and cash‑flow management, ensuring compliance with international accounting standards and timely statutory reporting to Member States.
• Lead pension and staff health‑insurance services, establishing strong internal controls and efficient processes for hosted entities.
• Analyse and forecast financing availability using modern analytical tools, delivering transparent reports to senior management.
• Monitor organisational expenditures and integrate financial systems with the WHO Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) platform.
• Manage liquidity and investment strategies for reserves, special purpose funds and fiduciary accounts within approved risk parameters.
• Maintain and update the overall financial policy framework across headquarters and regional offices.
• Supervise the Global Services Center’s payroll, accounts payable and receivable functions, ensuring accurate and expeditious transaction processing.
• Provide strategic advice on financial policy issues to senior leadership.

Required profile

• Extensive experience in financial management and strategic advisory within large, complex organisations.
• Proven ability to lead finance teams and oversee multi‑entity accounting, treasury and investment functions.
• Strong knowledge of international accounting standards and public‑sector financial regulations.
• Demonstrated expertise in risk‑based financial planning and policy development.

Required skills

• ERP systems
• Financial analysis tools