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.

OAI has a decentralized organizational structure with a Headquarters Audit Section (HAS) and other Units, based in New York, as well as Regional Audit Centres (RAC) located in the five regions covered by UNDP. The Headquarters Audit Section (HAS) is responsible for the audit of UNDP Headquarters (HQs) units as well as corporate functions and systems. HAS audit universe consists of: (i) HQs units based in New York, (ii) out-posted HQs units such as Regional Centres/Hubs, Representation Offices, Policy Centres and the Global Shared Services Centre,  and (iii) global and regional programmes and projects.

HAS is staffed with a Chief (P-5 level), four Audit Specialists (P4 or P3 levels), and one Audit Administrative Associate (G-6 level).  This workforce is at times supplemented with Junior Professionals or personnel on secondment or loan to OAI.

The Audit Specialist reports to the Chief.  The role of the Audit Specialist is to perform comprehensive audits of, primarily, business units as well as corporate systems and functions that are in the audit universe of HAS. At times, this may include undertaking audit assignments in areas with hardship or hazardous working conditions.

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 Section 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 missions to UNDP offices in the regions, including to areas with hardship or hazardous working conditions;
• Provides guidance and advice to business units on audit-related matters.

Other Tasks

• Contributes to the annual risk assessment for HAS audit universe;
• 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 OAI Director.

Impact of Results

Decisions:

• Significant decisions are made in assessing organizational risk and providing guidance on corporate level issues;
• Significant decisions are made in assessing headquarters units, functions, regional offices and projects.

Recommendations:

• Promotes the due regard for economy, efficiency and effectiveness in the acquisition and use of resources and the safeguarding of assets throughout the organization;
• Proposes changes in policies and procedures to the Chief.

Error:

• Failure to detect and correct weaknesses in management and internal controls could result in loss of assets or reputation of UNDP. This would cause loss of confidence by donors and implementation partners;
• Failure to conduct audits professionally and competently could result in unwarranted damage to the reputation of units, functions or individual staff members.

Competencies

Core Values & Ethics:

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

Teamwork:

• Lead team based activities;
• 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 relevant professional standards, as applicable;
• Management audits;
• Audits of corporate functions and systems;
• Audits of global and regional projects;
• 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 Requirements:

• Fluency in English is required;
• Good working knowledge of French or Spanish is desirable.

How to apply

The application must contain duly completed and signed Personal History Form (P11), which can be downloaded 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 experience 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_New York_P4” in the e-mail subject field.

Please note that:

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