Chief Internal Audit – P5  

UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built: we offer our staff diverse opportunities for personal and professional development that will help them develop a fulfilling career while delivering on a rewarding mission. We pride ourselves on a culture that helps staff thrive, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, a champion
The Office of Internal Audit and Investigations (OIA) is a key component of UNICEF’s independent internal oversight system. It has two sections: the Internal Audit Section and the Investigations Section. The former helps UNICEF fulfill ts mission by providing independent and objective assurance and advisory services designed to designed to add value and improve the adequacy, effectiveness and efficiency of UNICEF’s operations. OIAI reports to the Executive Director and independently to the Executive Board on the results results of its work.

To learn more about our work, please follow this link.

How can you make a difference? 

The position makes decisions on the objective, scope and methodology for audit. It also makes decisions regarding the quality of evidence and actions to address risks identified by assurance and advisory activities. These decisions are critical in assessing UNICEF governance, risk management and controls and strengthening delivery of results for children.

1. Leadership of Unit: Provide leadership of the unit including oversight of the unit’s overall portfolio of work (audit and advisory engagements) Manage and provide strategic direction to individual staff assigned to the unit and to engagements in the Chief’s portfolio. Ensure audit and advisory engagements are conducted in accordance with applicable standards and other requirements as well as the OIAI Charter and are based on approved engagement plans. Ensure outputs of the unit are of the highest quality and effectively communicate audit and advisory results. This entails using best practices and methodologies including an agile approach and ensuring audits conducted by the unit are risk-based, efficient, and focused on achieving maximum value and impact for UNICEF. This also entails providing strategic and technical guidance and directions to audit teams; making sure engagements are adequately planned and resourced prior to any mission and take full advantage of technology and analytics, supervising engagement teams; providing advisory services as needed by assigned clients and/or in thematic areas; reviewing and approving working papers; preparing and/or overseeing the preparation of high-quality work products such as engagement plans and reports for review and approval by the Director and/or Deputy Director; making sure that the reported implementation of recommendation and/or actions agreed with clients are objectively reviewed and closed based on adequate supporting evidence; establishing, managing and maintaining productive relationships with senior managers across UNICEF, clients and other stakeholders critical to the assurance and advisory work of the unit. (40%)

2. People Management: Establish, discuss, and agree on performance plans with staff in the unit and identify and address skills gaps. Provide objective feedback to staff throughout the performance period. Coach and mentor assigned staff and hold career discussions. Conduct periodic performance appraisal of assigned staff, taking into consideration engagement-specific feedback received by the staff member from other Chiefs, Audit and Engagement Team Leaders and other staff inside and outside OIAL Provide engagement-specific feeciback on the performance of other units staff who are assigned to engagements for which the chief is responsible. Identify and address staff’s individual training needs, ensuring staff have opportunity to learn and grow professionally. Lead by example and proactively address staff issues and update the Deputy/Director on people management issues. Contribute to the recruitment of high calibre staff, Promote an environment of management excellence and foster a respectful work culture, staff well-being, diversity and inclusion. Ensure adequate preparation for rollout and effective management of virtual team/processes and/or accountabilities in line with the organization’s guidelines, policies and procedures. (20%)

3. Thematic Focus: Serve as a focal point for the Audit Section for assigned thematic, geographic and/or function areas and/or specific clients. This will inclucle monitoring and keeping abreast of developments and emerging risks relevant to the assigned area, ensuring OlAl’s risk register and work plans are updated accordingly. This also includes building and maintaining relationships with leadership and other key staff in the assigned area of responsibility. This also includes identifying and making the business case for potential assurance or advisory services relevant to the assigned areas of responsibility. (20%)

4. Leadership of OIAI and the Audit Section: Participate in and contribute to the management of the Internal Audit Section and as a member of the OIAI leadership team. This includes providing senior level contribution to the Section’s risk-based work planning activities, identifying and responding to emerging risks, and ensuring the preparation and updating of the Section’s Work Plan. This also includes serving as a thought leader, both inside UNICEF and externally, on the evolving role of internal audit within similarly situated organizations, and keeping abreast of innovations, developments and best practices in internal auditing to facilitate continuous learning and improvements in the work of OIAL This also includes contributing to and leading the Section’s development and implementation of standard operating procedures, as well as the application of the International Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing and their implication for oversight in the United Nations System. This also includes acting on behalf of the Deputy Director for Audit as required and carrying out other task as may be assigned by the Director or Deputy Director for Audit (20%)

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here: Job Description Chief Audit P5 #114280.pdf
 

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

Minimum requirements:

Education:

Advanced university degree, preferably in business administration, economics, finance, auditing, accounting, or another related field.

Professional Experience:

At least ten (10) years of experience in auditing (e.g. financial and performance, or operational). Extensive experience in a directly related field may also be acceptable.

At least five (5) years of experience in managing teams and complex assignments in multi-cultural environment, government and recognized international organizations will be an advantage.

Language Requirements: Fluency in English is required.

Desirables:

• Professional accreditations (e.g. CPA, CA, ACCA, CIA, or CISA) from a recognized professional body is preferred.
• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency. 
• A working knowledge of another UN language is an advantage.

• Functional Competencies

  – Analyzing

  – Applying Technical Expertise

  – Following Instructions and Procedures

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships

(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness

(3) Drive to achieve results for impact

(4) Innovates and embraces change

(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity

(6) Thinks and acts strategically

(7) Works collaboratively with others 

(8) Nurtures, leads and manages people

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic background, and persons with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. To create a more inclusive workplace, UNICEF offers paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. Click here to learn more about flexible work arrangements, well-being, and benefits.

According to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. In its Disability Inclusion Policy and Strategy 2022-2030, UNICEF has committed to increase the number of employees with disabilities by 2030. At UNICEF, we provide reasonable accommodation for work-related support requirements of candidates and employees with disabilities. Also, UNICEF has launched a Global Accessibility Helpdesk to strengthen physical and digital accessibility. If you are an applicant with a disability who needs digital accessibility support in completing the online application, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility tendersglobal.net UNICEF.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.

Remarks:

As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.

UNICEF’s active commitment to diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable men from programme countries are encouraged to apply.

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason. 

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.

In this role, you will collaborate with colleagues across multiple locations. For effective collaboration, we encourage flexible working hours that accommodate different time zones while prioritizing staff wellbeing.

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.

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How cinfo Can Support You in the Application Process for This Position

• Application and Interview Preparation: Whether you’re preparing your application documents or getting ready for an interview, you can book a Job Application Support session to receive tailored guidance.
• For Swiss nationals invited to the first round of the selection process (e.g., written test, interview, assessment center): Notify us at [email protected], and we will inform our HR partners in the respective organization and the Swiss Government to help increase your visibility.

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