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 the Directorate, the Quality Assurance and Policy Unit, the Investigations Section, the Headquarters Audit Section and other units located at Headquarters and Regional Audit Centres (RAC) located in the five regions covered by UNDP. 
 
The Audit Specialist reports to the Chief.  The primary role of the Audit Specialist is to perform  quality assurance (QA) tasks in accordance with the International Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing.

Duties and Responsibilities

Principal functions:
 
Under the supervision and guidance of the Chief:
  • Performs QA review of draft audit reports from the Regional Audit Centres and HQ Audit Section prior to their approval by the Director, OAI and issuance to the Administrator;
    Administers the system for information gathering and preparation of the periodic progress reports of OAI units.   This includes:
    -   OAI statistics/metrics;
    -   Post-audit and other QA surveys of OAI audit clients;
    -   Tracking audit processes, from planning to reporting.
  • Prepares the quarterly consolidated OAI progress report for submission to the Audit Advisory Committee and annual report to the Executive Board, as well as other corporate reports for the Operations and/or Management Group; 
  • Administers the periodic audit follow-up process conducted by OAI Regional Audit Centres and HQ Audit Section and semi-annual update of the implementation rates for Bureau of Management’s balanced scorecard purposes.
    Contributes to developing and maintaining OAI policies and procedures, including audit guides and risk assessment models;
  • Participates in formal periodic QA reviews;
  • Contributes to maintaining and updating of the comprehensive OAI audit risk universe. to facilitate OAI’s annual work planning.

Client Services:

  • As member of an audit team, conducts audits at Headquarters or in the field, as required.
Other Tasks:
  • 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.
 

Competencies

Core Values & Ethics:

  • Demonstrates integrity and fairness;
  • Display cultural sensitivity;
  • Shows strong corporate commitment;
  • Honest and complies with UNDP regulations, rules, and code of conduct.
Teamwork:
  • Motivates and coaches team members;
  • Embraces extra responsibility;
  • Builds 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;
  • Performance audits;
  • Quality assurance services;
  • Advisory services.
Technical:

Demonstrated ability to use the following tools:

Demonstrated ability to use the following tools:
  • Microsoft office suite;
  • Presentation software applications;
  • 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 required;
  • Additional professional certifications (CISA, CFE) are an advantage.
Experience: 
  • A minimum of 5 years of professional experience in external/internal audit or another directly relevant area (such as accounting or finance), several of which in internal audit;
  • Experience in quality assurance functions. 
Language Requirements: 
  • Fluency in English;
  • Proficiency in French or Spanish is desirable;
  • Knowledge of additional United Nations official languages is an advantage.