Background

The Office of Audit and Investigations (OAI) reports to the Administrator and 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.
 
The Quality Assurance and Policy Unit (QAP) in OAI performs quality assurance tasks in accordance with the International Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing, OAI standard operating procedures (SOPs) and the requirements associated with the public disclosure of audit reports.
 
QAP needs to engage experienced consultants on contract from time to time when the number of audit reports requiring review are above staff capacity.   For this purpose, OAI maintains a Long Term Agreement with suitably skilled and experienced consultants to call upon as required.
 
 

Duties and Responsibilities

Contract consultant(s) are required to assist the Chief, QAP in conducting quality assurance reviews of draft audit reports to ensure that they are in accordance with the International Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing and with OAI’s SOPs and report templates, prior to their approval and issuance by the OAI Director. To achieve this objective, the Consultant shall conduct the following:
 
Review the draft report submitted by Audit Chiefs to assess if:
  • the audit issues/observations are grounded in evidence and pertinent statements of fact and based on the related IIA attributes (criteria, condition, cause and effect);
  • the issues are significant enough to constitute “reportable audit issues”;
  • the recommendations contained in the report are practical, implementable and they call for action to correct existing conditions or improve operations;
  • the conclusions and audit rating are appropriately based on the overall implications of significant observations and recommendations;
  • management’s comments had been sufficiently addressed and appropriately reflected in the draft.
On a sample basis, review working papers of audit areas deemed critical to determine adequacy of audit documentation in accordance with OAI’s SOPs.
 
Considering the public disclosure policy, independently attest as to whether or not the report contains information deemed particularly sensitive that would require redaction prior to public disclosure.
 
Review the draft report in terms of compliance with OAI’s report templates and report writing style, and as deemed necessary, edit the draft report for constructive, clear and concise presentation.  
 
Return the draft report with review comments and tracking changes to facilitate revision.  This may be done after a discussion (face-to-face or remotely) with the Audit Chief and/or audit team leader concerned, with the Chief, QAP duly informed. At the meeting, the review comments are explained and amended as appropriate, before submitting the comments to the Audit Chief concerned for his/her follow up.  
 
Based on reviews of draft audit reports, identify areas for improvement in the quality of audits, methodologies, related processes, and audit reports in general.
 
Perform other tasks as identified by the Chief, QAP. This may include attendance at OAI’s Management Team Meetings to discuss proposed quality improvements, among others.
 
Deliverables
 
For each draft report reviewed, the Consultant shall submit to the Chief, QAP the: (a) related MS Word document, with review comments and edits tracked, and (b) corresponding independent QA attestation.
 
Working arrangement
 
The Consultant(s) will be provided access to the UNDP system and will have to conform to relevant IT security and policies in the use of this system. The Consultant(s) may work physically in OAI New York office premises or telecommute
 
Confidentiality
 
All documents, information and data provided by UNDP to the Consultant under the Contract shall be treated as confidential even when not expressly designated as such by UNDP.
 
Duration
 
The Consultant will be engaged on an ‘as needed’ basis. In other words, as and when OAI requires the services of one or more consultants, a selection will be made from the roster, according to quality assurance skills, language abilities and value for money of the contractors on LTA. 

Terms of Payment

The consultancy fee will be paid per hour. 
 
Payment will be made upon submission of monthly invoices, specifying the number of working days spent on each audit report review case, and providing documentation to support pre-approved expenses.
 
The service rendered must be assessed as satisfactory by the Chief, QAP.

Competencies

Task Management Skills:
  • Produces timely, quality outputs;
  • Exercises sound judgment/analysis;
  • Develops creative solutions;
  • Is able to handle multiple and time-sensitive tasks.
Communications:
  • Writes clearly and convincingly;
  • Speaks clearly and convincingly;
  • Has good presentation skills;
  • Listens actively and responds effectively.
Professional:

Demonstrated ability to perform and/or manage the following services, in accordance with professional audit standards:
  • Operational audits;
  • Performance audits;
  • Quality assurance services;
  • Advisory services.
Technical:

Demonstrated ability to use the following tools:
  • Microsoft office suite;
  • Presentation software applications;
  • Electronic working paper software (particularly GRC);
  • Computer assisted audit techniques;
  • 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 designation is preferred.
Experience:
  • A minimum of 10 years of professional experience in external/internal audit;
  • Experience in reviewing draft audit reports and audit work papers is required;
  • Experience in conducting internal or external quality assurance work is preferred;
  • Experience in an international environment is an advantage.
Languages:
  • Fluency in English;
  • Proficiency in French or Spanish is an advantage

Evaluation:

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on the following methodologies:
 
Assessment of applicants

CV scoring.
The P11 will be evaluated against requirements specified in the TOR.
Those applicants who meet the requirements will be long-listed and be invited to take written test on issues relating to scope of work specified in TOR.
 
Written test assessment : The written test aims to test the audit report review skills.
 
Selection of consultant for specific Audit Report Review case(s):

The contracted reviewer will be engaged on an ‘as needed’ basis. In other words, as and when OAI requires the services of one or more consultants, a selection will be made from LTA pool, according to:
  • Relevant educational and professional experiences; and
  • Value for money , which  is based on the proposed fee rate of the LTA holders.
This Notice is also advertised in UNDP Procurement Site through the link:
 http://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_notice.cfm?notice_id=15221
 
Important:

Interested applicants should submit the required documents:
 
On-line though the job site link above
 
Or by mail to:   United Nations Development Programme
                          Office of Audit and Investigations, OAI
                          220 East 42nd Str. 23rd Floor. New York 11017
                           Attention: Ms. Wai Yin Lam
 
Or by email to:   oai.bids@undp.org
                             Subject: LTA for Audit Quality Assurance Review 
Proposals are to be submitted by close of business day on 26 April 2014.