Manager, Internal Audit Professional Practices, (P4) #114284, Office of Internal Audit and Investigations (Req #536954)

Under the supervision of the Deputy Director, the Manager, Internal Audit Professional Practices is responsible for: (i) managing professional practices; (ii) coordinating work planning activities; (iii) expanding and supporting the use of technology and data analytics; (iv) monitoring and reporting the implementation of the work plan; and (v) coordinating training and professional development activities.

UNICEF works in 190 countries and territories to protect the rights of every child. UNICEF has spent 70 years working to improve the lives of children and their families. Defending children's rights throughout their lives requires a global presence, aiming to produce results and understand their effects. UNICEF believes all children have a right to survive, thrive and fulfill their potential to the benefit of a better world.

For every child, a future

The Office of Internal Audit and Investigations (OIAI) is a key component of UNICEF's independent internal oversight system. It has two sections:

The Internal Audit Section and the Investigations Section. The former 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. OIAI reports to the Executive Director and independently to the Executive Board on the results of its work.

How can you make a difference?
The Internal Audit Section is under the leadership and management of the Deputy Director, Audit who in turn reports to the Director of OIAI. The Internal Audit Section has four units, the heads of which are members of the Internal Audit Management Team chaired by the Deputy Director.

Governed by the International Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing of the IIA, the Internal Audit Section seeks to accomplish OIAI's mission by using a systematic, disciplined approach to assessing the adequacy and effectiveness of Organization's governance, risk management and control processes. Under the supervision of the Deputy Director, the Manager, Internal Audit Professional Practices is responsible for: (i) managing professional practices; (ii) coordinating work planning activities; (iii) expanding and supporting the use of technology and data analytics; (iv) monitoring and reporting the implementation of the work plan; and (v) coordinating training and professional development activities.

1. Management of professional practices: Serve as a thought leader on the evolving role of internal audit and keep abreast of innovations, developments and best practices in internal auditing to facilitate continuous learning and improvements in the Internal Audit Section. This also includes research and draft standard operating procedures and guidance to ensure compliance with the IIA International Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing coordinating, documenting and communicating changes in policies, procedures, guidance, methodologies and approaches, etc. This also includes: Administering and monitoring the Internal Audit Section's Quality Assurance and Improvement Programme (QAIP) - making sure the Section performs its work in accordance with IIA International Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing and best practice - planning and coordinating independent internal and external quality assurance reviews - advising the Deputy Director on actions to further improve the management and conduct of internal audit services - assisting in editing and the quality assurance review of internal audit outputs, as needed, to ensure consistent conformance with OIAI requirements and good practices. (30%)

2. Coordination of work planning activities: Advise and support the Deputy Director and the Internal Audit Management Team in scaling up assurance and advisory services in line with the evolving risk profile of the organization and expectations of stakeholders with an emphasis on rapid risk identification and mitigation and reducing any assurance gap. This also includes: developing and maintaining the audit universe -proposing strategies and methodologies for risk-based audit work planning - coordinating audit work planning activities - documenting, communicating and ensuring broad acceptance of the work plan - ongoing and dynamic enterprise risk monitoring and proposing reprioritization of internal audit services - maintaining and updating the audit work plan as appropriate. (25%)

3. Expand and support the use of technology and data analytics: Serve as focal point and primary administrator of the audit management software such as TeamMate. This includes leading every effort such as user requirement definition, acquisition, liaison with the Information and Communication Division and vendors, training and supporting end-users. It also includes expanding and supporting the use of technology and data analytics in in risk-based work planning and engagement-level planning, execution and reporting (15%)

4. Monitor and report the implementation of work plan: This includes: monitoring progress of assurance and advisory engagements – preparing report on the implementation of the internal audit work plan - coordinating/drafting the Internal Audit Section's input to OIAI quadrennial office management plan and Director's reports to the Audit Advisory Committee (AAC), Executive Board, and the Executive Director - preparing summary reports on common and cross cutting issues identified by assurance, advisory and investigation activities - preparing advisory communications on issues of topical significance and results of audit activities - managing the public disclosure of internal audit reports - coordinating the Section's responses to questions/requests from UNICEF management, Audit Advisory Committee, external auditors (UNBoA), Joint Inspections Unit, donors, etc. - making sure agreed actions are consistent across audit reports and adequate steps are taken to follow up on their timely implementation. (15%)

5. Training and professional development programme: Administer and monitor the Section's training and professional development programme. This includes: coordinating the identification of skill gaps in relations to the IIA competency framework and UNICEF competencies - developing a comprehensive office-wide training plan medium/long-term training plan based on training needs identified by staff and their managers - monitoring and reporting on implementation of training plan (10%)

6. Carry out other tasks as may be assigned by the Deputy Director. (5%)

Recruitment Qualification

Education

Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) preferably in in business administration, finance, accounting or a related field. (A first level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.)

Certification as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Chartered Accountant (CA), Certified International Auditor (CIA), Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) or equivalent is desirable.

Work Experience

A minimum of 8 years of progressively responsible professional experience in audit, finance, accounting, administration, statistics, computer science or a related area. Experience in managing and/or undertaking quality assurance activities is required. Experience in managing and/or undertaking quality assurance activities is desirable.

Excellent conceptual and analytical abilities, and communication skills including the preparation of clear and concise reports.

Excellent work experience in enterprise risk assessment and management and oversight work planning.

Ability to use: SAP, ACL or similar CATs, TeamMate or similar audit management tools, PowerPoint, Pivot Table, Power Pivot, and the Power of BI

Language requirements

Fluency in English is required. A working knowledge of another UN language is an advantage.

Competencies of Successful Candidate

Core values: Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability (CRITA)

Core competencies: Nurtures, Leads and Manages People, Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness, Works Collaboratively with others, Builds and Maintains Partnerships, Innovates and Embraces Change, Thinks and Acts Strategically, Drives to achieve impactful results, Manages ambiguity and complexity

Functional Competencies: Analyzing, Deciding and Initiating Action, Applying Technical Expertise, Following Instructions and Procedures

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

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 also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

 Remarks:

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.