IFAC Senior Policy Advisor

Senior Policy Advisor

Reporting to: Deputy Director, Public Policy and Regulation

Date: January 2013

I. ABOUT IFAC

The International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) is the global organization for the accountancy profession. It works with its 173 member bodies in 129 countries and jurisdictions to protect the public interest by encouraging high quality practices by the world’s accountants. IFAC members and associates, which are primarily national professional accountancy bodies, represent 2.5 million accountants employed in public practice, industry and commerce, government, and academia. Its structure and governance provide for the representation of its diverse constituencies and interaction with external groups that rely on or influence the work of professional accountants.

II. POSITION SUMMARY

The Senior Policy Advisor reports to the Deputy Director, Public Policy and Regulation and provides support to: the Executive Director, Quality and Member Relations; IFAC Officers; and the IFAC Board. The Senior Policy Advisor is expected to understand, support and promote the objectives of IFAC. The incumbent is expected to be sufficiently adaptable and experienced to allow reassignment to other tasks, should the needs of the organization require it.

III. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Monitor national and international developments and identify strategic issues that may impact IFAC and/or the accountancy profession;

• Seek the views and input of various groups from IFAC’s staff, boards and committees, and member bodies, as well as from outside the profession, to assist in determining the policy advice or position to be advocated;

• Develop IFAC’s position on strategic issues which could impact on the accountancy profession, on capital markets, and on small- and medium-entities;

• Develop IFAC policy positions on strategic regulatory issues;

• Provide technical and organizational support for the Public Policy and Regulation Advisory Group (PPRAG);

• Assist in building and maintaining relationships between IFAC and a range of external parties such as the International Accounting Standards Board, the Financial Stability Forum, the International Organization of Securities Commissions, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision, the World Bank, the European Commission, IFAC members and associates, and accounting firms;

• Provide high quality regulatory and public policy advice to the Officers and the IFAC Board;

• Provide advice and information to IFAC members and associates, the Officers, senior management and staff on a wide variety of professional issues;

• Research, prepare, and present submissions, as required, to international regulatory agencies or other organizations;

• Represent IFAC at international, regional, and national meetings, conferences, and other public forums, including making presentations;

• Draft articles for journals and newsletters, and press releases, and contribute to speeches, as required; and

• Undertake special projects allowing IFAC to respond to changes in the accountancy profession, auditing and financial markets.

IV. QUALIFICATIONS

• Advanced academic qualifications in accounting, economics, or law;

• Strong background and understanding in one or more of the following areas: in particular, public sector financial management, international labor markets, and trade in services; but also international financial reporting, international taxation, anti-money laundering, and/or banking and finance;

• Strong analytical, research, and policy skills;

• Strong project management skills;

• An appropriate knowledge of regulatory and public policy issues, with a strong preference for experience in issues involving accounting and auditing;

• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written. Fluency in written and spoken English is critical — knowledge of other languages highly desirable;

• Excellent computer skills (Word, Excel, Outlook, Power Point, Internet Explorer)

V. PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

• Ability to liaise with senior members of the accounting profession and senior officials from public sector regulatory organizations;

• Ability to work with many cultures;

• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work to internal and externally imposed deadlines;

• Commitment to quality processes and products;

• Strong organizational skills; and strong interpersonal skills, with flexibility especially important.

The ideal candidate will be a self-starter, able to work without supervision and to respond quickly and effectively to issues.

The Senior Policy Advisor will be located in the IFAC head office in New York.

The Senior Policy Advisor will be required to comply with the policies and procedures set out in the IFAC Employee Handbook and other policies and procedures as issued by IFAC from time to time.

The demands of the role require international travel up to 25% of the year.

IFAC is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. Interested candidates should submit a resume (CV) and cover letter to: Human Resources International Federation of Accountants 529 Fifth Avenue, 6th Floor New York, NY 10017-3610, USA

Please send resume and salary requirements to jobs@ifac.org

Please visit: http://www.ifac.org/about-ifac/working-ifac