Senior Audit Officer

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.

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.

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, documented 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.

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. 
 

Representational functions of the Senior Audit Officer are typically focused on audit promotion and positioning of the AUO as authoritatively competent to internal as well as external clients and partners. Based on the technical expertise of this level, authoritative advice is provided to member state government counterparts and donors as required. S/He expands and develops new client relationships and establishes the foundation for collaboration with counterparts both within the Fund and externally. S/He builds collaborative networks within IFAD and with external UN/IFI oversight entities and, as required, represents AUO and IFAD at meetings and conferences, ensuring IFAD's contribution to the definition of and adherence to system oversight standards and principles; keeps abreast of professional developments in relation to risk management, internal control, governance, audit, and anti-corruption. S/He organizes or participates in presentations to IFAD staff, Senior Management and Governing Bodies, and in awareness and/or training activities on internal audit activities and results, risk management, internal control and on the prevention of fraud and corruption. The Senior Audit Officer discusses audit findings as appropriate with heads or officials of units audited, advises them of accounting and management considerations and seeks to develop solutions to problems.

Organizational Competencies:

Level 2:

• Building relationships and partnerships - Builds and maintains strategic partnerships internally and externally

• Communicating and negotiating - Acquires & uses a wide range of communication styles & skills

• Demonstrating leadership - Leads by example; initiates and supports change

• Focusing on clients - Contributes to a client-focused culture

• Learning, sharing knowledge and innovating - Challenges, innovates & contributes to learning culture

• Managing performance and developing staff - Manages wider teams with greater impact on others and on the organization

• Managing time, resources and information - Coordinates wider use of time, information and/or resources

• Problem-solving and decision-making - Solves complex problems and makes decisions that have wider corporate impact

• Strategic thinking and organizational development - Staff in management and/or strategic leadership roles

• Team working - Fosters a cohesive team environment

Education:

• Level - An advanced university degree (master's or equivalent) from an accredited institution in a job related field.

• Degree must be an accredited institution listed on  or accredited by a national ministry of education or an equivalent national entity

Experience:

• At least eight (8) years of progressively more responsible professional experience in auditing programmes in International Organizations or International Financial Institutions.

Certifications: 

• A professional qualification in audit (CPA, CFA, CA, CIA, CISA, or equivalent).

Languages:

• Required English (4 - Excellent) 

• Desirable: French, Spanish, or Arabic (3 - Good) 

Skills:

• IFAD governance & mandate: In depth knowledge of IFAD`s governance structure, mandate, strategic priorities and technical work

• Advanced data analytics: Statistical & econometrics research, forensic and advanced data analytics / data mining

• Risk management (e.g. reputational): Identification and assessment of potential liabilities and risks in IFAD's activities, particularly vis-à-vis third parties; ability to handle risks via contingency and mitigation strategies

• Time management: Adherence to deadlines under time constraints and pressure (e.g. to deliver governing body documents on time); ability to coordinate and manage complex workflows and in-house and external teams

• Basic ICT & digital fluency: Expertise relevant to the specific role (e.g. in-depth, computer information systems, including micro-computer operating systems software, hardware and applications software and other office technology equipment), end-user computing configuration management

• Audit: Know-how in audit planning and management strategies to conduct internal audits.

• Finance & Impact Investments: Expertise in international development finance, derivatives, debt capital markets, impact investing, blended finance, general treasury issues (e.g. correspondent banking and custody accounts), and including regulatory developments - Basel Principles, EMIR, Dodd Frank and the AIFMD

• Topical expertise - Audit: Audit expertise specific to the role, e.g. full professional and updated familiarity with audit standards and practices, including concepts as commonly applied in the UN and IFI environments. Familiarity with measures for preventing fraud and corruption and experience of collaborating with investigators.

• Performance management: Know-how in managing performance so that staff supervised deliver on the agreed objectives and meet their development needs while meeting the needs of IFAD. Is proficient in establishing clear performance goals (operational and behavioural) and learning plans as well as in evaluating the performance of staff against the set goals.

• Change management: Role modelling, anticipation of key risks & conflicts and formulation of contingency plans/solutions, action-oriented

• Client orientation: Strong critical thinking combined with communication skills to liaise between the business and technologies to understand business problems and needs, document requirements and identify solutions

• Confidentiality & Discretion: Establishes self and division as trusted advisor to internal stakeholders by maintaining high level of discretion and confidentiality in assignments; demonstrates sound judgement when dealing with sensitive and/or confidential matters; drives good governance and is a "Culture Carrier" demonstrating IFAD institutional conscience through his/her work.

• Integrity and ethics: Strong emphasis on acting with honesty, not tolerating unethical behaviour, demonstrating equity, impartiality and sensitivity in exercising authority and interacting with staff, and other  stakeholders. Conduct must be guided by IFAD core values, the Code of conduct and a high sense of ethics.

• Leadership: Group thought leader, sought out by others and providing mentorship and effective guidance to others; Ability to build trust, inside and outside the organization by acting as a role model for IFAD's core values and competencies, and to provide a clear sense of direction, mentorship and effective guidance to the team, strategizing the IFAD's goals, giving the vision, empowering the team and ensuring a positive environment for all.

• Written communication: Clear, succinct and convincing written communication in the language needed for specific role; highly professional, balanced and diplomatic language (e.g. for drafting of position papers, briefings, etc.)

• Programme/Project development, management: Know-how in Programme/Project development, implementation, management

IFAD staff members are international civil servants subject to the authority of the President of IFAD. In accordance with IFAD's Human Resources Policy, the President can decide to assign them to any of the activities of the Fund. All International Professional staff members are required to be geographically mobile and positions in the professional category are subject to changes in location at any time in line with strategic priorities and reform initiatives in IFAD.

IFAD is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of ethnic, social or political background, colour, nationality, religion, age, gender, disability, marital status, family size or sexual orientation in line with its and the . 

Please be aware of fraudulent job offers. IFAD does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process. Official communication from IFAD will always come from e-mails ending in @ifad.org

Representatives or alternate representatives of Member States on the IFAD Executive Board, Governors or alternate governors to the IFAD Governing Council and other Member States Permanent Representatives and their Alternates to IFAD (collectively IFAD Member States Representatives) who apply for or take up any type of employment with IFAD may do so only after a twelve-month period has elapsed after the effective date of cessation of their IFAD Member States Representatives responsibilities as established in the notification of termination of functions communicated through the official channels.

In accordance with IFADs provisions, all new staff members will normally be placed at the first step in the grade level for which they have been selected. For information on IFADs remuneration package, please visit . Applicants are invited to use the ICSC compensation calculator to estimate the salary and benefit entitlements. 

Long-listed candidates will be required to participate in a pre-screening exercise. Short-listed candidates will be required to participate in a technical and competency-based interview and may be required to take a written test and/or to deliver a presentation.

Non-selected candidates who have been shortlisted, interviewed and found suitable in this competitive selection process, may be included in IFAD's appointable roster and considered for future positions in the same job family and grade level, in line with IFAD's applicable provisions. Candidates included in the appointable roster will be notified by IFAD.

If you encounter technical issues, please contact erecruit@ifad.org, with a screenshot and details of the problem.