Background

The Office of Audit and Investigations (OAI) is responsible for internal audit and investigations services to UNDP and its affiliated entities. OAI provides independent, objective assurance on the effectiveness of risk management and the effectiveness and adequacy of internal controls. As part of its assurance work, OAI also supports the annual audit exercise of non-governmental/ nationally executed projects (NGO/NEX projects) in some 150 countries where UNDP operates and reviews and analyses the resulting audit reports submitted by audit firms and government audit institutions.

OAI has a decentralized organizational structure with five regional audit centres (RAC) located in the regions covered by UNDP. The RAC is normally staffed with a Chief (P-5 level),three or four Audit Specialists (P-4 or P-3 level), and one Administrative Associate (G-6 level).

The Audit Specialist reports to the Chief. The primary role of the Audit Specialist is to perform comprehensive audits of UNDP country offices in the regions of Europe, the Commonwealth of Independent States as well as the Middle East, a total of 34 country offices.

Duties and Responsibilities

Principal functions:

Management:

• As a team leader, assumes responsibility and accountability for achieving the audit objectives. This  involves: Preparation of risk-based audit plans/programmes; Conduct of audit field work; Preparation and review of working papers;Preparation of Exit Conference notes;Preparation of draft audit reports, incorporating input from other team members;
• Assesses the team members’ performance in a participatory manner and documents lessons learned;
• Provides direction and guidance to, and coaches team members ensuring effective team functioning;
• Presents audit results to management;
• Monitors the status of audit recommendations and appraises adequacy of action taken on audit recommendations;
• Acts as OIC for the RAC when necessary. 

Client Services:

• As a team leader or as a member of an audit team, conducts audit assignments in accordance with the International Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing as published by the Institute of Internal Audit and OAI policy guidelines;
• Assesses the adequacy and effectiveness of internal controls and risk management;
• Documents findings and communicates orally and/or in writing to the audited offices on their compliance, performance and potential for improvement;
• Recommends actions to address shortcomings identified, strengthen internal controls and improve business processes;
• Under the overall supervision of the Chief, conducts special assignments including management reviews, consulting assignments, special audits, and training workshops;
• Undertakes, frequent and at times extended, missions to UNDP offices in the region, including to areas with hazardous working conditions.
• Provides guidance and advice to business units on audit-related matters.

Other Tasks:

• Contributes to the ongoing development of professional practices within OAI;
• Participates in the implementation of his/her personal learning and training development plan;
• Performs other assignments or tasks as determined by the Chief or the Director or Deputy Director (Audit).
  

Competencies

• Demonstrates integrity and fairness;
• Display cultural sensitivity;
• Shows strong corporate commitment;
• Complies with UNDP regulations, rules, and code of conduct.

Teamwork:

• Motivates and coaches team members;
• Embraces extra responsibility;
• Build team morale & consensus.

Task Management Skills:

• Produces timely, quality outputs;
• Exercises sound judgment/analysis;
• Develops creative solutions;
• Ability to handle multiple tasks.

Communications:

• Writes clearly and convincingly;
• Speaks clearly and convincingly;
• Has good presentation skills;
• Listens actively and responds effectively.

Building & Sharing Knowledge:

• Actively builds deep knowledge in one or more areas;
• Makes valuable practice contributions;
• Applies existing knowledge to work;
• Provides advice & support to others.

Learning:

• Provides constructive coaching and feedback;
• Acts as long-term mentor for others;
• Acts on personal development plan.

Professional:

• Demonstrated ability to perform and/or manage the following services, in accordance with professional standards:   
• Operational audits;
• Special audits;
• Financial audits;
• Project audits;
• Advisory services.

Technical:

• Demonstrated ability to use the following tools:
• Microsoft office suite;
• Electronic working paper software;
• Computer assisted audit techniques (ACL or IDEA);
• Enterprise Resource Planning systems.     

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced university degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Finance, Statistics, Law, 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 desirable;
• Additional professional certifications (CISA, CFE) are an advantage.

Experience:

• A minimum of 7 years of professional experience in audit or another directly relevant area, several of which in internal audit;
• Working experience in an International Organization is desirable.

Language Requirement:

• Fluency in English;
• Good working knowledge of Russian and/or Arabic is desirable;
• Knowledge of additional United Nations official languages is an advantage.

Important: How to apply

The application must contain duly completed and signed Personal History Form (P11), which can be down loaded from www.sas.undp.org/Documents/P11_Personal-history_form.doc. the form should be uploaded to your online application in lieu of CV. If you experienced technical issues with uploading your P11 form during the online application, please send it to oai.bids@undp.org indicating your name and "Audit Specialist-Istanbul" in the e-mail subject field.

Please note that:

• Applications without P11 form will not be considered;
• Applications should be submitted in English language.