Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is in the Peacekeeping Audit Service, Internal Audit Division (IAD) of the Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) located in Entebbe, Uganda. The Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) is the internal oversight body of the United Nations and assists the Secretary-General in fulfilling his oversight responsibilities in respect of the resources and staff of the Organization through the provision of audit, investigation, inspection and evaluation services. IAD provides internal oversight services to the United Nations Secretariat at Headquarters, Offices Away from Headquarters and Peacekeeping Missions, as well as UNJSPF, UNHCR and several other entities. The Peacekeeping Audit Service provides internal oversight coverage of peacekeeping missions (including UNMISS, MINUSCA, MONUSCO, UNSOS, UNISFA, UNIFIL, UNFICYP), special political missions (including UNAMA, UNAMI, UNTMIS,) and the Regional Service Centre in Entebbe (RSCE) through its resident audit offices, which collectively comprise some 65 staff. Assurance and advisory assignments are undertaken predominately in areas of programme and project management, procurement, logistics, administration, and programmatic operations established in accordance with the mandates of the missions. To that end, the Peacekeeping Audit Service (a) issues recommendations to strengthen internal controls and to mitigate risks; (b) provides independent information and assessments to assist effective decision-making; and (c) provides independent reviews of the effectiveness of the use of the Organization's resources. This position reports to the Director of Internal Audit Division.

Responsibilities

The Chief of Peacekeeping Audit Service is responsible for managing the substantive work programme and resources of the Service. Within delegated authority, the incumbent will be responsible for the following duties: • Develop an annual risk-based audit plan for the activities managed by the Service. • Manage the execution of the annual audit plan, embedding data analytics into the audit lifecycle and ensuring the efficient utilization of the human and financial resources of the Service, in accordance with: (i) approved work plans and budgets; (ii) OIOS policies and procedures; and (iii) the International Standards for the Professional Practice of internal auditing followed by OIOS. • Ensure effective collaborative relationships between the Service and client entities to increase the relevance, efficiency and impact of the Service's outputs. • Ensure that the outputs produced by the Sections under his/her supervision meet required standards before completion to ensure they comply with the relevant mandates. • Assist the Director of IAD with establishing operating guidelines, internal audit manuals, lines of authority and communicating work objectives and priorities of reporting. • Undertake identification of resource requirements for the Service for inclusion in OIOS' staffing strategies and budget requests. • Recruit staff, taking due account of geographical balance. • Manage, guide, develop and train staff under his/her supervision. • Foster teamwork and communication among staff in the Service and across organizational boundaries. • Lead and supervise team members efforts to collect and analyze data and provides insight to identify trends or patterns for data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting. • Ensure that team members can discover, access and share the data they need through the integration of data-driven methodologies for internal and client risk assessments. • Participate in and frequently travels to international, regional or national meetings (including to UN Headquarters in New York and to peacekeeping missions) and provides programmatic/substantive expertise • Carry out other functional related tasks as may be assigned by the Director - IAD, to ensure the efficient and effective implementation of IAD work programmes. • Represent the Service within the United Nations and other organizations as requested by the Director - IAD. • Work implies frequent interaction with the following: Managers and staff within the Division, Department, Office, Commission and/or Mission; Senior staff within the UN Secretariat, Missions Heads and other UN offices, funds, programmes and specialized agencies; Representatives of Governments and representatives of non-governmental organizations; Chairs and members of intergovernmental bodies. • Results expected: Produce high-quality outputs on key issues. Effectively and efficiently manages available human and financial resources to ensure the timely delivery of programmed outputs. Provide solid substantive support in the servicing of various committees and intergovernmental bodies. Ensure reports for these bodies are clear and focused on the issue at hand and the meetings or seminars are well-organized, and address the topics covered in a comprehensive manner. Effectively develop staff under his/her supervision, including their on-going learning and development. Effectively assist, guide and support programme managers in meeting their objectives and outputs.

Competencies

• PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of the substantive field of work in general and of specific areas being supervised. Produce reports and papers on technical issues and to review and edit the work of others. The ability to utilize data analytics and integrated data-driven methodologies to enhance audit quality and in support of decision-making processes for management, contributing to a more efficient and effective internal audit approach. Analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. Apply UN rules, regulations, policies and guidelines in work situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. • COMMUNICATION: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors' language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. • PLANNING AND ORGANIZING: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently. • LEADERSHIP: Serves as a role model that other people want to follow: empowers others to translate vision into results; is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives; establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support; anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions; drives for change and improvements; does not accept the status quo; shows the courage to take unpopular stands. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing. • MANAGING PERFORMANCE: Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority; makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member; accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills; monitors progress against milestones and deadlines; regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff; encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative; actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff; appraises performance fairly.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent degree) in auditing, finance, business administration, accounting or closely. related area. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Successful completion of both degree and non-degree programs in data analytics, business analytics or data science programs is an advantage.

Job - Specific Qualification

Professional certification as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Chartered Accountant (CA), Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA), or equivalent is desirable.

Work Experience

A minimum of fifteen years of progressively responsible experience in auditing, of which at least 5 years must be at the management level supervising a culturally diverse team is required. Experience embedding data analytics into the audit cycle through the use of various data driven methodologies is required. Experience managing with multiple stakeholders on complex internal audit work is required. At least three (3) cumulative years of field experience in audit working in a peace operation is desirable. Experience in implementing initiatives to enhance internal audit efficiency or implementing process improvement initiatives in audit is desirable.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is desirable.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified applicants may include an assessment exercise and a competency-based interview.

Special Notice

• This post is financed from the Support Account for Peacekeeping Operations. The appointment, or assignment, and renewal thereof are subject to the availability of the post or funds, budgetary approval, or extension of the mandate. Appointment or assignment against this position is for an initial period of one year. • Staff members of the United Nations Secretariat must fulfil the lateral move(s) or geographical requirements as set out in ST/AI/2010/3/Rev.3 to be eligible to apply for this job opening. Staff members are requested to indicate all qualifying lateral or geographical move(s) in their Candidate Profile (CP) and Motivation Statement. • Staff members appointed to the current position are required to submit a financial disclosure statement upon assignment or appointment and annually thereafter. • For this position, applicants from the following Member States, which are unrepresented or underrepresented in the UN Secretariat as of 30 November 2024, are strongly encouraged to apply: Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahrain, Belize, Brunei Darussalam, China, Cuba, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Germany, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Hungary, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Kiribati, Kuwait, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Libya, Liechtenstein, Malta, Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated States of), Monaco, Nauru, Oman, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Somalia, Timor-Leste, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Vanuatu. • The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application. • Applicants, who successfully go through a competitive recruitment process and are recommended for selection and/or inclusion in the roster of pre-approved candidates for subsequent job openings at the same level and with similar functions, may have their application information and roster status shared with other UN Organizations. Such applicants may be contacted by other UN Organizations for similar job openings, subject to the confirmation of their interest. Placement on the roster is no guarantee of a future selection. • At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. • The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. • Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures.