Financial Controller

Vacancy Notice 1870

INTERPOL is the world’s largest international police organization, with 196 Member Countries. Created in 1923, it facilitates cross-border police co-operation, and supports and assists all organizations, authorities, and services whose mission is to prevent or combat international crime. 

INTERPOL actively encourages applications from women and nationals of member countries that are currently unrepresented among our staff (please click on this link to access the list of countries). Candidates from these countries are particularly encouraged to apply. 

INTERPOL’s recruitment process is merit-based hence all hiring decisions are made considering the applicant’s qualifications and the needs of the Organization.

Job Title: Financial Controller  
Reporting To: Assistant Director, Financial Affairs 
Location: Lyon
Type of contract: Fixed-term Contract 
Duration (in months): 36.00  
Grade: 3   
Number of post: 1
Level of Security screening:  Basic
Deadline for application: 30 June 2026 

Conditions applying for all candidates

Only professional experience for which candidates can provide official proof of employment will be considered. Candidates could be requested to provide copies of such official documents prior to interviews/test.

* Subsequent extension to this post will be subject to the terms of the Organization’s Staff Manual, to satisfactory performance and to availability of funds.

Tests/interviews in connection to this selection procedure will take place approximately 1 week after the deadline for applications. Applicants are kindly requested to plan their availability during this period accordingly, in case they are short-listed.

​Selected candidates will be expected to report for duty approximately two to three months after receiving an offer of employment at the latest.

This selection exercise may be used to generate a reserve list of suitable candidates that may be used to address Organization's similar staffing needs in the future.

 SUMMARY OF THE ASSIGNED DUTIES

The Executive Directorate Resource Management (EDRM) covers Finance and Corporate Services (FCS), and Human Resources Management (HRM). Within the FCS Directorate and under the supervision of the Assistant Director, Financial Affairs, the Financial Controller is responsible for supervising and maintaining the Organization's financial records in compliance with International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) and the Organization's financial regulations. This includes ensuring effective controls and rules are in place to guarantee compliance, preparing financial statements that fairly represent the organization's financial delivery, and providing technical financial advice across the organization.

Additionally, the Financial Controller is responsible for managing the external audit process, ensuring that all audit recommendations are implemented and that the Organization's financial statements are audited in accordance with IPSAS and the Organization's financial regulations, ultimately providing assurance that the Organization's financial records are accurate, complete, and reliable. The Financial Controller leads a team of coordinator and technical accountants and will work closely with other finance unit heads and coordinate and collaborate organization wide on financial matters.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND ACTIVITIES

1: Lead and maintain the Organization's financial records in compliance with International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) and the organization's financial regulations

• Lead and maintain under the supervision of the Assistant Director, Financial Affairs the General Ledger and all Income and Expenditure accounts for all INTERPOL budgets, in compliance with IPSAS and the financial regulations of the organization in a manner that will facilitate timely and accurate tracking of implementation of the organization’s budgets.
• Coordinate effectively with the Head of Treasury and Accounts Payable to ensure accurate and timely processing and accounting of all receivables, payables, and treasury transactions.
• Lead and advise across the Organization on financial treatment of different funding streams including capital expenditure to ensure that management decisions consider financial rules and implications to effectively manage budgets. This requires close collaboration with the Head of Budget and Analysis.
• Lead on the effective control of the balance sheet of the Organization with regular monitoring and reconciliations to ensure risks are identified and addressed in a timely manner.
• Closely collaborate with the Head of Budget and Analysis on forecasts to ensure financial commitments and risks are accurately reflected in the financial records.
• In close collaboration with the Head of Budget and Analysis; lead on the financial closure process on a monthly basis to ensure accurate financial data for reporting, analysis and decision making by the hierarchy and governance bodies.

2: Lead on the preparation of the annual financial statements ensuring it fairly represent the Organization's financial delivery in compliance with IPSAS and the Organization’s financial regulations

• Develop and maintain a deep understanding of IPSAS, staying up-to-date with evolutions and changes to the standards, and working in a timely manner to address any changes and ensure compliance while keeping the Director of Finance and Corporate services updated on changes in IPSAS that might affect the Organization financial position and providing advice on mitigation if required.
• Design and prepare high-quality financial statements that meet the requirements of IPSAS, including the Balance Sheet, Income Statement, Cash Flow Statement, clear notes to the financial statements that enables all stakeholders to understand the financial reporting basis of the Organization and its key financial policies as well as its performance. Ensure it is delivered in a timely manner to meet the Organization’s requirements.
• Conduct regular benchmark exercises to ensure that the financial statements are of high quality and comparable to those of similar organizations.
• Assess and lead on external reviews of the financial statements when necessary to provide an independent assessment of their accuracy and compliance with IPSAS.
• Collaborate with other departments and teams to ensure that financial data is accurate, complete, and consistent, and that the financial statements fairly reflect the Organization's activities and performance.
• Identify and address any areas for improvement in the financial statements and implementing changes as necessary to ensure ongoing compliance with IPSAS and high-quality presentation.
• Provide technical guidance and support to other staff members on IPSAS and financial reporting requirements.

3: Manage the external audit process, ensuring that all audit recommendations are implemented and that the organization's financial statements are audited in accordance with IPSAS and the Organization's financial regulations, ultimately providing assurance that the Organization's financial records are accurate, complete, and reliable

• Lead the collaboration with the external auditors to plan the audit, including identifying the scope, timeline, and key areas of focus, and ensuring that the audit is conducted in accordance with IPSAS
• Lead on the coordination of the audit process, including responding to auditor requests, providing information and explanations, and facilitating access to personnel and documentation.
• Identify and address any issues or concerns raised by the auditors, and work to resolve them in a timely and effective manner, to ensure an unqualified audit opinion while keeping the Assistant Director, Financial Affairs updated on potential issues to ensure early intervention and mitigation if required.
• Lead and manage the financial records of the Organization on a daily basis to ensure compliance with IPSAS and Organization rules and effective management of financial risks to ensure the external auditors issue an unqualified audit opinion, indicating that the financial statements are presented fairly and in accordance with IPSAS.
• Coordinate the implementation of audit recommendations, including developing and implementing corrective action plans, and ensuring that recommendations are fully addressed and that progress on implementation is monitored and reported, to ensure that the Organization is held accountable for addressing audit findings.
• Engage effectively with stakeholders, including management, governance bodies, and external parties where relevant, to ensure that they are informed of the audit process, findings, and recommendations.

4: Lead and advise on the definition of financial policies, accounts and systems and conduct regular financial controls

• Lead on the drafting of financial regulations, directives instructions and policies to ensure that INTERPOL’s internal financial rules are complete, comply with international accounting norms and provide the Organization’s financial policy framework.
• Lead on the configuration and update of the accounting system including the creation of legal entities, accounts, financial reports, and user access rights as appropriate.
• Ensure that the Organization’s financial commitments are tracked and that the financial system allows for sufficient segregation of duties between different user roles.
• Ensure sufficient and regular financial controls (reconciliations, inventories etc.) are undertaken to comply with the organizations financial policy and reporting framework.

5: Lead and manage the accounting team to provide sound financial reporting and advice to support sound financial health of the Organization

• Lead a team of coordinator and accounting professionals to deliver on the sound management of the Organization’s financial records and all the reporting that it entails.
• Work collaboratively across the Organization to provide advice on the impact of decisions on the financial situation of the Organization and provide advice on how projects, strategies, agreements, and decisions can be structures to optimize the financial position of the Organization.
• Prepare and present financial analysis and recommendations to management and governance bodies to support effective management of INTERPOL’s financial health.

6: Provide other duties

• In the absence of the Assistant Director, Financial Affairs or Director FCS, the Financial Controller may be asked to represent FCS on behalf of the Assistant Director or the Director FCS, and cover various tasks related to the coordination of the functioning of FCS.
• Perform, with minimum supervision, all other duties as may be directed by the Assistant Director, Financial Affairs or Director FCS and maintain close professional relationships with other senior management.
• Perform any other duty as requested by the hierarchy.

QUALIFICATIONS, COMPETENCIES AND SKILLS

EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATION REQUIRED

• At least 5 years’ University degree in a relevant domain required (such as Business Administration, Finance).
• Qualified accountant from a recognized national accounting body and/or equivalent professional experience supported by accredited professional training.
• Post-graduate degree would be considered as an additional asset.

EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

• At least 8 years’ experience in financial reporting and accounting including managing a team.
• Detailed knowledge of international accounting standards such as International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), International Accounting Standards (IAS) and IPSAS.
• Accounting and controls – Detailed knowledge and experience of accounting treatment, practices, journals, adequate supporting documentation.
• Detailed experience in financial closure and financial reporting processes.
• Experience in developing financial statements and managing audit processes.
• Experience of VAT.
• Strong computer skills particularly financial systems e.g., SAP or similar ERP, Microsoft office packaged software and business intelligence reporting e.g. Business Intelligence tools.
• Demonstrate excellent communication and writing skills to clarify complex financial matters to a non-financial audience.
• Experience from a large national or international setting in private or public sector is essential.
• Experience in law enforcement organization would be an asset.
• Experience in working in an international environment is highly desirable.

LANGUAGES

• Fluency in English is essential and in French highly desirable.
• Working knowledge of another official language of the Organization would be an asset (Spanish,
• Arabic).

SPECIFIC SKILLS

• Enthusiasm, positive thinking and “can do” attitude.
• Very strong communication skills, both in written and oral form; ability to clarify.
• Ability to maintain objectivity and apply logical, specifically inductive, reasoning.
• Ability to perform at the highest level in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
• Ability to work independently as well as in teams with minimal direct supervision.
• Discipline and high degree of self-motivation.
• Ability to deliver under high pressure and tight deadlines.
• Good social, specifically multicultural, skills.
• Highly developed initiative, creativity (original thinking) and curiosity.
• Ability to develop and maintain professional networks with internal and external stakeholders.
• Listening skills.
• Willingness to learn.
• Personal maturity.
• Flexibility, availability and may travel as required.

As part of our commitment to transparency throughout our recruitment process, INTERPOL's Staff Manual Regulation 11.4: Age-limit, which states that: 'Officials of the Organization shall not normally be retained in service beyond the age of 65 years. The Secretary General may, in exceptional cases and in the interests of the Organization, extend this age limit, in which case he shall inform the official concerned sufficiently in advance.'

Given this Regulation and in case candidates reach the age of 65 during the potential duration of the appointment, should they be selected for the position and the process proceed to appointment, the employment period may be affected by this regulatory limit and may therefore not extend for the full standard contract duration as published in the vacancy notice.

We are sharing this information to ensure transparency at this stage of the process.