UN Women: Director, Oversight- Internal Audit and Evaluation

Background

UN Women, grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, works for the elimination of discrimination against women and girls; the empowerment of women; and the achievement of equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action and peace and security.

The Office of Internal Audit and Evaluation is responsible for general oversight on internal audit services to UN Women as well as internal evaluation services.  The Office provides two services: 1) independent, objective assurance on the effectiveness of risk management and the effectiveness and adequacy of internal controls. 2) Evaluation of UN women Programmes and portfolios.

The Director Oversight- Internal Audit and Evaluation reports to the Executive Director. The Director interacts with the Executive Board on internal audit matters, maintains a close working relationship with the United Nations Board of Auditors (external auditors of UN Women) and fosters coordination and cooperation with the internal audit and investigation offices of other organizations of the United Nations system.

Duties and Responsibilities

Oversee the management and implementation of audits and evaluations:

• Provide strategic guidance and oversee overall management of the Office of Internal Audit and Evaluations;
• Finalize the internal audit strategy and the internal evaluation strategy, and related policies and guidelines;
• Oversee the implementation of the strategies, policies and guidelines;
• Oversee the quality control of audit and evaluation deliverables;
• Submit high level reports as required;
• Liaise with high level stakeholders and represent the office and UN Women as required;
• Build and maintain close working relations with UN Women managers, including at the senior level.

Direct and lead activities related to corporate goal setting on evaluation:

• Develop the Annual Workplan and budget for evaluation activities;
• Guide and supervise evaluation staff in the systematic conduct of independent assessment on UN women programmes and activities;
• Oversee the planning, management and implementation of thematic and country programme and project evaluations and other evaluations conducted at HQ, regional, country and thematic level;
• Provide strategic advisory and overall guidance to Regional Offices, Country Offices and HQ units on evaluation matters;
• Ensure that high level technical advice and support is provided to regional offices in conducting evaluations that are consistent with a Results-Based Management system and standards of quality.

Lead and oversee corporate reporting and feedback:

• Interact, liaise and report periodically to UN Women’s Executive Board on internal audit and evaluation findings;
• Submit mandated reports for management and governing bodies on findings, recommendations and lessons learned  from UN Women programmes, projects, initiatives and management;
• Advise the Executive Director (ED) on strategic and critical issues related to internal audit and evaluation findings requiring the ED’s actions and/or interventions;
• Manage and coordinate responses to corporate requirements or demands from external parties on internal audit and evaluation related matters.

Lead the development of new tools, guidelines and systems:

• Introduce innovation and cutting edge techniques and approaches to facilitate internal audits and evaluations;
• Ensure high quality methodological and process standards through strict guidance to and oversight of the Office in adherence to UN Women’s policies on internal audits and evaluation.

Manage the Office:

• Manage human resources assigned, including; providing support to staff in the achievement of their career goals, ensuring appropriate learning, training and development, and actively participating in timely planning and assessing staff performance;
• Manage the financial resources and take responsibility for the integrity of financial systems and consistent application of the internal control framework and/or UN Women/UN rules and regulations. Submit timely mandated reports;
• Identify and integrate efficiency gains and cost reductions in all operations;
• Oversee security requirements for the team.

Lead Knowledge management and sharing initiatives:

• Promote the use of overall internal audit and evaluation findings, lessons and recommendations in policy and programme formulation throughout the organization;
• Contribute to workshops and training on risk management, internal controls and audit;
• Disseminate lessons learned from UN Women audits and evaluation (e.g. through reports, newsletters, articles etc.);
• Participate in the implementation of his/her personal learning and training development plan.

Performs any other tasks as requested by the Executive Director.

Key Performance Indicators:

• Internal Audit and Evaluation Strategies and Policies/Guidelines developed on time on scope on budget;
• Annual Work plan is implemented on time, on scope and on budget;
• Implementation of Strategies on time and on scope;
• reports and recommendations are delivered on time and on scope;
• High level issues are escalated in an appropriate manner;
• Working relationship with other units;
• Performance of staff;
• Contributions to knowledge management.

Competencies

Core Values:

• Respect for Diversity;
• Integrity;
• Professionalism.

Core Competencies:

• Awareness and Sensitivity Regarding Gender Issues;
• Accountability;
• Creative Problem Solving;
• Effective Communication;
• Inclusive Collaboration;
• Stakeholder Engagement;
• Leading by Example.

Please visit this link for more information on UN Women’s Core Values and Competencies: http://www.unwomen.org/-/media/headquarters/attachments/sections/about%20us/employment/un-women-employment-values-and-competencies-definitions-en.pdf.

Functional Competencies:

• Substantive knowledge of the different components of evaluation, including evaluation design, data collection and analysis and reporting;
• Substantive knowledge or performing Comprehensive audits of Headquarters business units and corporate functions;
• Ability to direct, lead and manage evaluations and internal audits;
• Ability to Lead team effectively, and drive for results with the ability to transfer knowledge and skills;
• Ability to forge strategic partnerships, and strong negotiation, networking and advocacy skills;
• Excellent knowledge of results-based management principles and approaches;
• Ability to Lead development of clear strategies;
• Ability to develop innovative solutions.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced university degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Finance, Statistics, Law, Social Sciences or related field;
• A first level degree in combination with a certification as Chartered Accountant or Certified Public Accountant may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree;
• Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) designation is desirable;
• Additional professional certifications (CISA, CFE) are an advantage.

Experience:

• At least 15 years of progressively responsible professional experience in audit or evaluation or another directly relevant area, several of which in internal audit;
• Working experience in an International Organization is desirable;
• Considerable experience in the design, implementation and management of evaluation and or audit programmes is essential;
• Field experience is an advantage.

Languages:

• Fluency in English;
• Proficiency in French or Spanish is desirable;
• Knowledge of other United Nations official languages is an advantage.

Application:

• All applications must include (as an attachment) the completed UN Women Personal History form (P-11) which can be downloaded from http://www.unwomen.org/about-us/employment Kindly note that the system will only allow one attachment. Applications without the completed UN Women P-11 form will be treated as incomplete and will not be considered for further assessment.

Note:

In July 2010, the United Nations General Assembly created UN Women, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. The creation of UN Women came about as part of the UN reform agenda, bringing together resources and mandates for greater impact. It merges and builds on the important work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system (DAW, OSAGI, INSTRAW and UNIFEM), which focused exclusively on gender equality and women's empowerment.