Org. Setting and Reporting

Organizational Setting and Reporting Relationships: This position is located in the Resident Audit Office, Internal Audit Division of Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) in Kuwait. Audits/assignments are undertaken in the areas of finance, administration and operations. Incumbents at this level work individually or as a member of an audit team and report 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, control audit/assignment resources, consolidates results, etc • Prepares risk-based audits/reviews. Plans/ programmes in accordance with OIOS standards • Supervises and coaches staff throughout the audit/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/review • 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 • Documents, evaluates and test systems and controls to determine their adequacy and effectiveness, ensuring (i) compliance with policies and procedures, (ii) accomplishment of management’s objectives, (iii) reliability and integrity of information, (iv) economical use of resources, and (v) safeguarding of assets • Prepares working papers for review by the Chief of Section of IAD. • 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 Work implies frequent interaction with the following: Staff at various levels throughout the organisation Senior management staff of other Organisations Government officials Counterparts in sister organisations Professional Organisations (e.g., IIA, ISACA) Results Expected: The results expected will be determined by the specific task assigned to individual incumbents at this level. These tasks are based on current work programme needs and are subject to change from time-to-time. Incumbent takes responsibility for all phases of audits/reviews, ensuring adherence to requirements pertaining to the responsibilities of OIOS.

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; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; 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 is required. 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 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 position is temporarily available until 29 April 2025 with the possibility of extension. The appointment, or assignment, and renewal thereof are subject to the availability of the post or funds, budgetary approval, or extension of the mandate. If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment. While this temporary assignment may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, the selection for this position is for a limited period and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post. Subject to the funding source of the position, the eligibility for this temporary job opening may be limited to candidates based at the duty station. This temporary job opening may be limited to “internal candidates,” who have been recruited through a competitive examination administered according to staff rule 4.16 or staff selection process including the review of a central review body established according to staff rule 4.15. 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. Staff members of the United Nations common system organizations who will reach the mandatory age of separation or retirement within the duration of the current temporary need period are not eligible to apply. Submitting an application or selection for the current temporary job opening does not delay or increase the mandatory age of separation. Retirees above the mandatory age of separation who wish to be considered for the current temporary job opening must indicate the reason for their last separation as “retirement.” Such retirees shall not be employed by the Organization, unless (a) the operational requirements of the Organization cannot be met by staff members who are qualified and available to perform the required functions; and (b) the proposed employment would not adversely affect the career development or redeployment opportunities of other staff members and represents both a cost-effective and operationally sound solution to meet the needs of the service. 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. 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.

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. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile 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.