Deputy Director (Internal Audit), Office of Internal Audit and Investigation (OIAI), D-1, NYHQ

UNICEF works in 190 countries and territories to protect the rights of every child. UNICEF has spent 70 years working to improve the lives of children and their families. Defending children’s rights throughout their lives requires a global presence, aiming to produce results and understand their effects. UNICEF believes all children have a right to survive, thrive and fulfill their potential – to the benefit of a better world.

For every child, oversight.

The Office of Internal Audit and Investigations (OIAI) is led by the OIAI Director and is responsible for conducting internal audits and investigations related to known and suspected cases of fraud, corruption, and other forms of misconduct. OIAI consists of the Internal Audit and the Investigations function, each headed by a Deputy Director. OIAI reports directly to the UNICEF’s Executive Director and also reports independently to the Executive Board. OIAI has a decentralized organizational structure with three offices based in New York, Budapest and Nairobi (the Directorate is based in New York).

OIAI’s activities are governed by the UNICEF Financial Regulations and Rules, and by the Charter of OIAI, which stipulate, inter alia, OIAI’s mission, the scope of its work, responsibilities and authorities as well as the operational independence OIAI enjoys in conducting its duties. The internal audit function provides independent and objective assurance and advisory services designed to add value and improve the operations of UNICEF.

Under the general supervision of the OIAI Director, the Deputy Director for Internal Audit is responsible for the overall management, leadership, direction, liaising with relevant UNICEF staff and stakeholders, and the quality control for all activities and outcomes from the Internal Audit function. The incumbent, along with the Deputy Director for Investigations, will also support the OIAI Director in providing leadership and direction to the Office as a whole, deputizing for the Director whenever required and serving as a member of OIAI’s Senior Management Team.

How can you make a difference?

Functional accountabilities:

1. Provides overall strategic direction, leadership and management of all facets of the work of the Internal Audit function. This will include direct supervision of the Chiefs of Audit, as well as supervision of its internal audit staff and consultants at headquarters and field locations, and overseeing the recruitment, performance management, coaching and professional development of the audit managers and team members.
2. Directs and supervises the development of OIAI’s risk assessment, work-planning and delivery of high-quality assurance and advisory assignments across UNICEF’s programmes and operations, implementing best-in-class auditing methodologies, tools and approaches.
3. Directs and supervises the selection, prioritization, planning and conduct of internal audits in accordance with established standards, audit manuals, policies and procedures, and ensuring that the outcomes and outputs of internal audits are timely and of the highest quality.
4. Determines the human and financial resources needed for the delivery of the internal audit work program and manages the efficient and proper utilization of resources made available to the Internal Audit function.
5. Maintains a professional practices and a quality assurance function to ensure general conformance with the International Professional Practices Framework promulgated by the Institute of Internal Auditors (that includes the Global Internal Audit Standards, Topical requirements, and Global Guidance).
6. Works closely with the OIAI Director to manage OIAI’s relationships with, and periodic progress reporting including on established key performance indicators to its key stakeholders (including senior managers, the Audit Advisory Committee, UN Board of Auditors, and the Executive Board), and with the audit offices of partner agencies in contributing to knowledge sharing and harmonization of internal audit practices and methodologies.
7. Implements a communications strategy to ensure staff and external stakeholders understand the internal audit process and its role in UNICEF’s broader oversight framework, ensures compliance with the Executive Board directives including on public disclosure of audit reports and the dissemination of the synthesis of the audit findings and trends.
8. Along with the Director and Deputy Director for Investigations, serves as a member of OIAI’s senior management team, participating in the overall management of OIAI and including the preparation of office wide plans and reports.
9. Represents the Director, as required, and undertakes additional assignments as needed.

Qualifications for a successful candidate:

1. Master’s degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field, together with an appropriate professional auditing qualification (e.g. Certified Public Accountant, Chartered Accountant or Certified Internal Auditor) from a recognized professional body.
2. A minimum of 13 years of progressively responsible professional work experience and demonstrated technical competence in auditing, a significant part in an international environment, with at least five years at the managerial level.
3. Experience of leading large teams in a multi-cultural environment including introducing modern audit practices (Maturity Models, Agile Auditing, Continuous Auditing, Data Analytics etc.) is essential for this position.
4. Experience in performance auditing and managing investigations would be an advantage.
5. Fluency in English is required. A working knowledge of another UN language is desirable.

Candidate profile

1. Results-oriented leader with a proven track record in strategic and conceptual thinking.
2. Strong management and leadership skills, track record in empowering people to achieve results.
3. Exceptional analytical, decision-making and problem-solving skills.
4. Strong oral and written communication skills with the capacity to succinctly convey ideas and advocate for organisational positions and produce written work product of the highest caliber.
5. Sound political and business acumen.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

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

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.

[add the 8th competency (Nurtures, leads and manages people) for supervisory role]

During the recruitment process, we test candidates following the competency framework. Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels: competency framework here.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce and encourages qualified candidates from all backgrounds to apply.

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. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

Remarks:

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

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by UNICEF, is required for IP positions. Appointments are also 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 cancelled.

Government employees that are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government 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.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.