Director, Office of Audit and Investigations

UNDP is committed to the highest standards of integrity among its staff members and other personnel as well as transparency and accountability in its programmes and operations. Within UNDP, the Office of Audit and Investigations (OAI) is responsible for providing UNDP with an effective system of risk-based, independent and objective internal oversight that is designed to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of UNDP’s operations through the provision of: (i) internal audit and consulting services; and (ii) investigations services.

OAI’s Strategic Vision 2022-2025 is to provide oversight services which will help UNDP to successfully manage its strategic and operational risks at all levels of the organization.

OAI assists the Administrator and the Associate Administrator of UNDP in their management oversight responsibilities. OAI’s audit and investigation activities are governed by the UNDP Financial Regulations and Rules and by the Charter of OAI, which stipulate, inter alia, OAI’s mission, the scope of its work, responsibilities, and authorities as well as the operational independence OAI enjoys in conducting its duties.

OAI’s internal oversight services cover all UNDP programmes, projects, operations and activities undertaken by all business units in over 130 countries and locations. The services also cover the interagency activities in which UNDP is involved as well as the activities of UNDP’s hosted entities, including the UN Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), the UN Office for South-South Co-operation (UNOSSC) and UN Volunteers (UNV). The investigation function in respect to UNV is restricted to volunteers working for UNDP.

Internal Audit

Internal audits conducted by OAI serve as an independent, objective assurance and consulting activity designed to add value and improve the operations of UNDP. They help UNDP accomplish its objectives by bringing a systematic, disciplined approach to evaluate and improve the effectiveness of governance, risk management and control processes.

Investigations

OAI conducts investigations into allegations of misconduct by UNDP personnel such as fraud, theft and embezzlement, corruption, sexual harassment, sexual exploitation and abuse, discrimination, workplace harassment and abuse of authority, retaliation against whistleblowers or abuse of privileges and immunities. OAI also conducts investigations into allegations of fraud and other financial irregularities committed by vendors, implementing partners and other third parties, deemed detrimental to UNDP. OAI has the sole responsibility for the conduct of all investigations within UNDP.

Structure

Its more than 85 staff members are based at UNDP's New York headquarters and at five Regional Audit Centers (in Dakar, Istanbul, Kuala Lumpur, Panama City and Pretoria).

At present, OAI hosts and is principally responsible for UNDP’s Social and Environmental Compliance Unit (SECU), which was established by UNDP management as an independent accountability mechanism to consider, address and respond to complaints from individuals and communities related to the application of and compliance with UNDP’s social and environmental standards.

OAI conducts audit and investigations independently from any interference from UNDP senior management or any outside party, While maintaining the operational and professional independence of the Office, the Director of OAI is accountable to the Administrator and for the provision of internal audit and investigation services and for the management of the Office. The Director shall report to the Administrator via the Audit and Evaluation Advisory Committee (AEAC) on the performance of OAI against agreed performance indicators. The Director of OAI has free and unrestricted access to the Executive Board on internal audit matters, maintains a close working relationship with the United Nations Board of Auditors (UNDP’s external auditors) and fosters coordination and cooperation with the internal audit and investigation offices of other organizations of the United Nation’s system. The Director is a member of the senior management Organizational Performance Group (OPG) and co-ordinates its work with UNDP’s Independent Evaluation Office (IEO).

Duties and Responsibilities

• Assess and make appropriate recommendations to improve the governance, risk management, and controls in the organization and demonstrates commitment to maintain high accountability standards for the organisation
• Ensures that internal audit activities are undertaken in accordance  with the International Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing (IPPF); the Core principles, the Code of Ethics and, the Standards and the Definition of Internal Auditing established by the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA).
• Develops new audit approaches in response to risks identified and taking into account the assurance and information needs of senior management, Member States, donors and other stakeholders.
• Actively supports UNDP’s commitment to transparency through the disclosure of audit reports, as appropriate and in line with decision 2012/18 of the UNDP Executive Board, and interacts, in that regard, with members of the UNDP Executive Board and donors.
• Promotes and leads joint and coordinated audit activities with other organizations of the United Nation’s system as required.
• Ensures that allegations of wrongdoing are swiftly assessed and investigated, preparing the basis for decisions on disciplinary or administrative actions.
• Ensures that investigation activities are in conformity with the “Uniform Principles and Guidelines for Investigations” and with the UNDP Legal Framework for Addressing Non-Compliance with the United Nations Standards of Conduct, the OAI Investigation Guidelines and any other applicable administrative guidance.
• Ensures that the reporting, assessment, and investigation of alleged non-compliance with UNDP’s social and environmental policies and procedures are conducted in accordance with the Investigation Guidelines of OAI’s Social and Environmental Compliance Unit.
• Promotes cooperation in investigations, as appropriate, with other international organizations, donor agencies and national law enforcement authorities.

3) Effective leadership and management of the Office of Audit and Investigations:

• Effectively leads and manages the staff members and other personnel assigned to OAI, continuously strengthening the credibility and competency of the staff.
• Effectively manages the financial resources allocated to OAI.
• Lead and promote/communicate the role of OAI and demonstrate the value of internal oversight across the organization both internally and externally.
• Effectively manage the audit and investigations caseload, prioritizing cases that have a detrimental impact on UNDP’s recourse and reputation.
• Lead and develop excellence in approaches including through the use of new technologies.
• Invest in robust quality controls for audit and investigations including periodic internal and external reviews and assessments.
• Create synergies between OAI and other business units including IEO.

Core Competencies - UNDP Core Competencies can be found here.

• Achieve Results - Level 4: Prioritize team workflow, mobilize resources, drive scalable results/strategic impact
• Think Innovatively - Level 4: Easily navigate complexity, encourage/enable radical innovation, has foresight
• Learn Continuously - Level 4: Create systems and processes that enable learning and development for all
• Adapt with Agility - Level 4: Proactively initiate/lead organizational change, champion new systems/processes
• Act with Determination - Level 4: Able to make difficult decisions in challenging situations, inspire confidence
• Engage and Partner - Level 4: Construct strategic multi-partner alliances in high stake situations, foster co- creation
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion - Level 4: Create ethical culture, identify/address barriers to inclusion

People Management Competencies

UNDP People Management Competencies can be found here.

• Advanced university degree in business administration, public administration, finance, law or another relevant field.
• In addition, a professional certification as Chartered Accountant, Certified Public Accountant or Certified Auditor is required.

• At least 15 years of progressively responsible experience and demonstrated technical competence in public sector audit, a significant part of it in an international environment. Experience in managing investigations as well as in environmental and social standards compliance and grievance handling is desirable.
• Demonstrated ability to manage a large complement of multi-disciplinary staff in a multi-cultural environment.
• Sound knowledge of general management practices and techniques, including results-based management principles, governance and accountability, use of information and communications technology, and techniques of quality assurance and risk management is required.
• Skills and knowledge should include an extensive understanding of global financial and operational risk, international auditing standards and international public sector accounting standards (IPSAS).
• Audit experience with the United Nations system or a multilateral or bilateral development organization is an advantage.

Language:

• Fluency in English.
• Proficiency in French and/or Spanish is desirable.