Organizational Setting
The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) is an international financial institution and a specialized United Nations agency dedicated to eradicating rural poverty and hunger. It does so by investing in rural people. IFAD mobilizes resources through Member States- and other sovereign and private sector contributions and borrowing and manages and uses such resources to finance programmes and projects that increase agricultural productivity and raise rural incomes. IFAD also advocates at the local, national and international level for policies that contribute to rural transformation.

The Office of Audit and Oversight (AUO) enhances and protects organizational value by providing independent and objective assurance and advisory services designed to add value and improve the operations of IFAD. It helps IFAD accomplish its objectives by bringing a systematic, disciplined approach to evaluate and improve the effectiveness of risk management, control and governance processes. AUO also reviews and investigates possible or alleged irregular practices, including staff misconduct, fraud and corruption in IFAD activities, and actively promotes ethics, accountability, quality and continuous improvement in IFAD operations.

AUO is organized in two sections (the internal audit and investigation sections) and a front office. The Director AUO is responsible for the overall management of AUO and reports to the IFAD President and functionally also to the Audit Committee. The Senior Audit Officer reports to the Audit Manager, AUO.

Job Role
The Senior Audit Officer is an authoritative expert with responsibility for the full range of activities involved in audit management, requiring innovative design of audit methodology, implementation, and oversight. S/he contributes to enhancing IFAD's operational effectiveness, risk management, internal control, governance processes and ethical culture by leading internal audits and advisory engagements.

Key Functions and Results
1. AUDIT POLICY AND STRATEGY: The Senior Audit Officer contributes to the definition of objectives, strategies, policies, and operating procedures for the Audit Section of AUO by reference to an assessment of risks and the Fund's strategic priorities and accepted international standards of internal auditing, and participates in the annual risk assessment and the preparation of the annual plans for the AUO audit section.

2. KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT: As called upon, communicates AUO's experience and professional viewpoint to Management and Governing Bodies drawing from audit, advisory and risk management work. Promotes good governance practices in IFAD by advising on or supporting institutional initiatives, committees and working groups where such involvement is compatible with and can leverage the work of AUO. Liaises with the other UN organizations and IFIs at operational level.

3. AUDIT ASSIGNMENTS: The Senior Audit Officer leads complex strategic, risk-based and baseline assurance and advisory engagements as assigned by the Head, Internal Audit or Director, AUO responding to key strategic risks that IFAD is facing. Acting as a team leader, defines engagement strategies and scope based on thorough risk analysis reflecting internal and external context and in consultation with relevant stakeholders. S/he recruits external experts as required, assigns tasks to, coaches and supervises team members (AUO staff and/or external experts), ensuring that work is performed to AUO established quality standards, in accordance with the Global internal auditing standards, with due regard to budget allocation and deadlines. Ensures delivery of strategic and value-adding insights leveraging technology and data analysis. Audit and advisory assignments include comprehensive and complex audits and special reviews on challenging problems and risks in relation to all areas of activities and across all IFAD risk domains.

4. GOOD GOVERNANCE PRACTICE: The Senior Audit Officer performs activities complying with policies, standards, procedures, agreements, and applicable laws and regulations: S/he promotes good governance practices in IFAD and leverages the work of AUO through contribution to institutional initiatives, committees and working groups as compatible with AUO independence. Performs other related duties as assigned by the supervisor, including collaborating with the AUO Investigation Section in joint engagements as required and performing special studies, field missions or assessments assigned.

5. MANAGERIAL FUNCTIONS: The incumbent serves as an audit team leader with accountability for integrity, transparency, and equity in the management of IFAD resources. This includes: a) People Management through recruitment and performance management of junior staff and consultants ensuring their needs are met and that they meet their objectives. b) Resource Management by providing strategic and data inputs into the divisional budget preparation exercises and execution, development of long-term and annual work plans, and overseeing accountability of material resources assigned to the Division. c) Knowledge and Content Management by ensuring (1) knowledge content is continuously updated and available, (2) best practices are continuously identified, d and distributed and (3) appropriate and up-to-date information and learning tools are available to IFAD's managers, supervisors and staff. d) Information Technology Management through leveraging ERP functionality for improved business results, simplification of transaction and reporting processes and improved client service.

Key Performance Indicators
The Senior Audit Officer plans and conducts complex audits (e.g., special operational audits), which require analysis of a broad range of subjects in the course of detecting errors or inefficiencies, or developing suggested improvements, accomplishing audit objectives typically requires coordinating several audit segments. Problems detected are often difficult to solve (e.g., elements necessary for resolution are often not available within the scope of the audit and must be found elsewhere). Audit Officers at this level perform audit work that can be characterized as complex and authoritative. Ineffective audit work results in loss of money to the Fund and possible lessening of credibility with donor States when errors undetected by internal auditors are subsequently identified by external auditors. This necessitates timely delivery of quality results, insights and recommendations rooted in a deep analysis of sources of control gaps. The value add of the audit results should be reflected in positive stakeholder feedback.