Head of Internal Audit

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING APPLICATION DEADLINE\:  please note that the deadline for applications is indicated in local time as per the time zone of the applicant’s location.

This post is a limited-term fixed-term post.

a.    Organizational Setting

The post is located in the Internal Audit Section of the Internal Oversight Division (IOD) in the Sector of the Director General. IOD serves as an independent and objective reviewer of WIPO operations and activities based on risk and relevance to WIPO management and constituencies, with a view to promoting the economy, efficiency, effectiveness, and impact of the Secretariat's work. The Audit Section evaluates the adequacy and effectiveness of governance arrangements, internal controls, and risk management frameworks, and provides assurance, analysis, and recommendations to strengthen accountability, sound management practices, and organizational performance.

IOD reports functionally to the Independent Advisory and Oversight Committee (IAOC) and administratively to the Director General. The office is independent of the organization's operational, management, and decision-making functions and is impartial, objective, and free from undue influence.

b.    Purpose Statement

The Head of the Internal Audit Section provides strategic leadership, oversight, and quality assurance for WIPO’s internal audit function in line with the Internal Oversight Charter and in conformance with the Global Internal Audit Standards. The role leads the development and implementation of risk-based audit strategies, methodologies, and frameworks; ensures that audit activities are prioritized according to organizational risk and relevance; and supports consistent, high-quality delivery of audit work. The position also contributes to the broader strategic management of the Internal Oversight Division through planning, budgeting, reporting, stakeholder engagement, and collaboration with UN inter-agency oversight networks to strengthen audit practices and organizational accountability.

c.    Reporting Lines

The incumbent works under the supervision of the Director IOD, in accordance with the provisions of WIPO’s Internal Oversight Charter (rev 2024), and in cooperation and coordination with the Organization's Program Managers, as appropriate.

The incumbent will perform the following principal duties\:

a.   Leads the development, prioritization, and implementation of the Section’s risk-based internal audit plans under the overall direction of the Director, IOD, ensuring that audit resources are aligned with areas of highest organizational risk, relevance, and strategic importance.

b.   Provides senior-level oversight of highly complex, sensitive, and high-risk internal audits; approves engagement scopes and methodologies; ensures rigorous quality assurance of audit planning, fieldwork, evidence, analysis, and deliverables; and pre-approves all outputs before final review and approval by the Director, IOD.

c.   Engages with senior management and key stakeholders on the adequacy and effectiveness of governance, risk management frameworks, and internal controls; identifies systemic and emerging risks; and recommends actionable preventive or corrective measures to strengthen organizational performance and accountability.

d.   Directs the monitoring and follow-up framework for internal audit recommendations, ensuring effective tracking of implementation status, assessment of management action plans, and reporting on unresolved high-risk issues.

e.   Manages and supervises the work of professional and support staff within the Section, including assignment of responsibilities, establishment of performance objectives, coaching and professional development, quality control of outputs, and performance management in accordance with organizational standards and policies.

f.    Leads the preparation and delivery of high-level audit reporting, presentations, and updates for the Senior Management Team, the IAOC, and Member State Representatives; provides expert analysis and recommendations on oversight matters requiring executive attention; and promotes constructive engagement with stakeholders while safeguarding the independence and objectivity of the audit function.

g.   Represents the Section at internal committees and at inter-agency oversight networks (such as UN-RIAS) to harmonize UN audit methodologies.

h.   Contributes to the strategic direction, planning, budgeting, performance reporting, and continuous improvement of IOD; supports the Director, IOD, in special assignments; and serves as Officer-in-Charge for the Division as required.

i.    Perform such other related duties as assigned.

Education (Essential)

Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in business administration, public administration, audit, finance, accounting, or a related discipline.  A first-level university degree (Bachelor's) plus two years of relevant professional experience in addition to the experience requested below, may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Education (Desirable)

Certification as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Chartered Accountant (CA), Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE), Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) or equivalent.

Experience (Essential)

At least ten (10) years of relevant, progressive professional experience in conducting internal audits and managing audit teams in an international environment or in the private sector.

Proven experience in risk-based auditing methodologies and managing complex audit portfolios.

Experience in supervising multidisciplinary teams.

Language (Essential)

Excellent written and spoken knowledge of English.

Language (Desirable)

Good working knowledge of French or another official United Nations language.

Job Related Competencies (Essential)

Demonstrated ability to lead, set, and assure the quality of modern internal audit methodologies, risk-based planning approaches, and professional practices in conformance with applicable internal audit standards.

Strong leadership skills, with demonstrated ability to direct multidisciplinary audit teams, set priorities, manage performance, develop staff capability, and foster an enabling, accountable, and results-oriented work environment.

Excellent executive communication, presentation, negotiation, and stakeholder-management skills, including the ability to engage constructively with senior management, oversight bodies, Member State representatives, and diverse stakeholders while maintaining independence, objectivity, tact, and respect for diversity.

High level of digital fluency, including the ability to lead the effective use of advanced digital tools, data analytics, audit management systems, automation, and emerging technologies, including Artificial Intelligence to strengthen risk assessment, audit planning, testing efficiency, evidence analysis, reporting, and oversight workflows.

Demonstrated ability to integrate technology-related risks, digital insights, data-driven analysis, and IT control considerations into the audit universe, risk assessment, engagement planning, execution, reporting, and follow-up.

Strong IT audit expertise, including the ability to oversee assurance over IT governance, cybersecurity, information systems controls, data protection, digital transformation risks, and technology-enabled audit approaches, and challenge management constructively on significant technology-related risks and controls.

Demonstrated ability to translate complex audit evidence and findings into clear, concise, evidence-based, and strategically relevant reports, briefings, and recommendations that support executive decision-making and governance oversight.

Ability to exercise sound strategic judgment, professional skepticism, independence, initiative, and discretion when addressing complex, sensitive, high-risk, or confidential matters. 

Demonstrated ability to lead a portfolio of concurrent and high-priority assignments, make defensible risk-based decisions under pressure, and balance timeliness, quality, stakeholder expectations, and institutional sensitivity.

 

Job Related Competencies (Desirable)

Familiarity with international public sector governance and intellectual property administration.

1.    Communicating effectively.

2.    Showing team spirit.

3.    Demonstrating integrity.

4.    Valuing diversity.

5.    Producing results.

6.    Showing service orientation.

7.    Seeing the big picture.

8.    Seeking change and innovation.

9.    Developing yourself and others.

Mobility\:  WIPO staff members are international civil servants subject to the authority of the Director General and may be assigned to any activities, office or duty station of the Organization.  Accordingly, the selected candidate may be required to move from time to time to new functions and/or to another duty station.

Annual salary\:

Total annual salary consists of a net annual salary (net of taxes and before medical insurance and pension fund deductions) in US dollars and a post adjustment.  Please note that this estimate is for information only.  The post adjustment multiplier (cost of living allowance) is variable and subject to change (increase or decrease) without notice.  The figures quoted below are based on the June 2026 rate of 86.8%

Please refer to WIPO’s Staff Regulation and Rules for detailed information concerning salaries, benefits and allowances.

Additional Information

Initial fixed-term appointment of two years, renewable subject to satisfactory performance and other applicable conditions.  The selected candidate’s appointment will be subject to an overall term of five years in this position, with normally no possibility of renewal beyond that term.  S/he may, however, apply and be considered for other positions at WIPO.

This is not applicable to WIPO staff members on fixed-term, continuing or permanent appointments, who were recruited following a competition under Staff Regulation 4.10 (“Appointment Boards”).

This vacancy announcement may be used to fill other posts at the same grade with similar functions in accordance with Staff Rule 4.9.5.

Applications from qualified women as well as from qualified nationals of unrepresented Member States of WIPO and underrepresented geographical regions are encouraged. Please click on the following links for the list of unrepresented Member States and the list of underrepresented regions and the WIPO Member States in these regions.

The Organization reserves the right to make an appointment at a grade lower than that advertised.

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By completing an application, candidates understand that any willful misrepresentation made on this web site, or on any other documents submitted to WIPO during the application, may result in disqualification from the recruitment process, or termination of employment with WIPO at a later date, if that employment resulted from such willful misrepresentations.

In the event that your candidature is shortlisted, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of your identification and the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. WIPO recognizes higher educational qualifications obtained from institutions accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list maintained by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed here\: http\://www.whed.net/. Some higher educational qualifications may not be listed in WHED, and will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Additional testing/interviewing may be used as a form of screening.  Initial appointment is subject to satisfactory professional references.

Additional background checks may be required.