Internal Audit Specialist, P- 3, Fixed-Term, OIAI, New York (Two Positions)

Under the overall supervision and guidance of the Chief of Audit, the Internal Auditor Specialist conducts and/or occasionally lead audits and advisory engagements in accordance with the International Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing and OIAI policies and procedures, as part of the approved OIAI work plan.

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, results

The Office of Internal Audit and Investigations (OIAI) is an independent office reporting to UNICEF’s Executive Director and the Executive Board. It has two sections: The Internal Audit Section and the Investigations Section. The Audit team helps UNICEF fulfill its mission by providing independent and objective assurance and advisory services designed to add value and improve the adequacy, effectiveness and efficiency of UNICEF’s operations.

This position is based in New York and requires frequent travels to UNICEF locations, often in difficult duty stations, outside of the duty station.

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

How can you make a difference?

Under the overall supervision and guidance of the Chief of Audit, the Internal Auditor Specialist conducts and/or occasionally lead audits and advisory engagements in accordance with the International Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing and OIAI policies and procedures, as part of the approved OIAI work plan. Specific duties include:

I. As a team member, participate in engagement planning activities that include engagement-specific risk assessment, determination of engagement objectives, scope and procedures and for own assigned segment(s) of the approved engagement plan:

• Execute the relevant procedures to achieve the specific engagement objectives.
• Prepare working papers in TeamMate, adequately evidencing the work performed to achieve the specific engagement objectives. 
• Develop observations clearly describing what was found vis-à-vis the specific engagement objectives, the criteria used, root cause(s) of what was found, consequence(s) and corrective actions.
• Validate and confirm factual accuracy of observations through discussions with appropriate level of client staff and other relevant means of corroboration.
• Develop inputs to engagement reports in conformance with OIAI reporting requirements.  

II.  As a team leader:

• Execute engagement planning activities that include engagement-specific risk assessment, determination of engagement objectives, scope and procedures with some support from a team member if needed.
• Execute the above-described duties of a team member for each assigned segment of the approved engagement plan.
• Oversee and review the work of team members, ensuring compliance with OIAI standards and practices, factual accuracy of observations and adequacy of work done to support achievement of the engagement objective.
• Prepare draft engagement report, incorporating inputs from team members, responses from clients and feedback from peers.
• Communicate timely and effectively with the Audit Chief on the team performance, the status of the engagement, the issues impacting them, and the steps taken.

III.  Assist in monitoring the implementation of agreed actions and in the review and assessment of the adequacy of corrective actions taken by the clients.

IV.  Carrying out other task as may be assigned by OIAI management, including contributing to OIAI’s risk-based work planning activities, development of professional internal audit policies, procedures, and change initiatives.

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

• Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in business administration, finance, economics, accounting, risk management, information technology, or another related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with at least seven years of qualifying audit experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
• Certification as a Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) is preferred. Certification as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Chartered Accountant (CA), Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA), or equivalent may be accepted in lieu of CIA.
• At least five years of progressively responsible relevant professional experience in internal and/or external auditing in either government, non-profit organizations, and/or the private sector (with at least three years at international level) is required.
• Experience of working in developing countries and international development is highly desirable.
• Demonstrated ability to use Microsoft office suite including Excel and Power of BI, Electronic working paper software such as AutoAudit and TeamMate, Computer assisted audit techniques such as ACL and IDEA, Enterprise Resource Planning systems is considered as an advantage.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another UN language is considered as an advantage.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF’s Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS).

UNICEF competencies required for these posts are…

1. Builds and maintains partnerships (2)
2. Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness (2)
3. Drive to achieve results for impact (2)
4. Innovates and embraces change (2)
5. Manages ambiguity and complexity (2)  
6. Thinks and acts strategically (2)
7. Works collaboratively with others (2)

During the recruitment process, we test candidates following the competency framework. Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels. Click here to learn more about UNICEF’s values and competencies.

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic. We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.

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 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.

Remarks:

UNICEF’s active commitment towards diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children.

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). 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.