AUDITOR

Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund (UNJSPF) Audit Section in the Internal Audit Division (IAD), Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) in New York. OIOS provides internal audit services to UNJSPF, which is a defined benefit plan that provides retirement, death, disability and related benefits for the staff of the United Nations and other member organizations. UNJSPF performs the entire spectrum of financial and administrative functions covering two main areas: (i) administration of pension benefits; and (ii) investment operations. Incumbents at this level work individually or as a member of an audit team. The Auditor reports directly to the Chief of Section.

The Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) is the internal oversight body of the United Nations (UN) and assists the Secretary-General in fulfilling his oversight responsibilities in respect of the resources and staff of the Organization through the provision of audit, investigation, inspection and evaluation services.

Responsibilities

The Auditor will be responsible for the following duties:

• Leads audits/special reviews with respect to large and complex operations. Identifies and allocates tasks, coordinates/monitors work, controls audit/assignment resources, consolidates results, etc
• Prepares risk-based audits and/or reviews. Plans programmes in accordance with OIOS standards
• Collects and analyzes data to identify trends or patterns and provide insights through graphs, charts, tables and reports using data visualization methods to enable data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting
• Supervises and coaches staff throughout the audit or review with the view to ensuring conformity with OIOS standards in all phases of the audit process
• Empowers and challenges more junior staff to actively participate in the management of the audit or review
• Prepares working papers for review by Chief of Section
• Develops and discusses findings, agrees on recommendations and timelines for corrective action with responsible officer of operations audited, and monitors the implementation status of agreed recommendations
• Drafts audit or assignment reports for Organization-wide consumption, including senior management and the General Assembly
• Prepares presentations, using available technology tools (e.g., PowerPoint)
• Makes presentations of audit results to senior management of IAD and senior management of the operation audited
• Monitors the status of audit recommendations
• Appraises adequacy of follow-up action taken on audit findings and recommendations
• Maintains and updates audit programs
• Identifies training needs, develops training programs and materials, and conducts workshops with respect to auditing approaches and techniques
• Evaluates staff performance; performs management review of work performed by assistant auditors, prior to Chief of Section review
• Performs other related duties as determined by the Chief of Section

Competencies

Professionalism: Demonstrates in-depth technical knowledge and hands-on experience in the field of auditing. Demonstrates professional competence and has knowledge of auditing standards and practices, risk assessment, and applicable financial rules and procedures Identifies issues, formulates opinions and presents conclusions and recommendations. Has the ability to defend and explain difficult issues and positions to staff including senior officials. Establishes and maintains effective working relationships in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment. Has knowledge of specialized IT audit applications, such as IDEA, ACL, and TeamMate. The ability to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. Shows pride in work and in achievements; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in business administration, finance, accounting or 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.

Successful completion of both degree and non-degree programs in data analytics, business analytics or data science programs is an advantage.

Job - Specific Qualification

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 is desirable.

Work Experience

A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible professional experience in audit, finance, accounting, administration, statistics, computer science or related area is required.

Audit experience is required.

Experience in auditing pension plans and related investment operations is required.

Experience in analysis of complete sets of data to identify anomalies and trends is required.

Experience in using data analytics tools such as IDEA, ACL, and Excel for analysis of entire populations of data is required.

Experience in public sector auditing is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is desirable.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified applicants may include an assessment exercise and a competency-based interview.

Special Notice

This post is financed from Extrabudgetary Sources. The appointment, or assignment, and renewal thereof is subject to the availability of the post or funds, budgetary approval or extension of the mandate.

Appointment or assignment against this position is for an initial period of one year.

The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures.

At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated
in the application.

United Nations Considerations

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment.

Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.

The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage.

The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.

Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.