JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Reference Number : Please note that ASEAN Secretariat Staff shall not be retained in active service beyond the age of 60 years

IAED/ADR/052

Opening Date :

10/12/2025

Job Title :

Assistant Director/Chief Internal Auditor

Closing Date :

08/01/2026

Job Description :

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) was founded in 1967 with the purpose of promoting regional cooperation in Southeast Asia, in the spirit of equality and partnership and thereby contribute towards peace, progress and prosperity in the region. ASEAN comprises eleven countries in Southeast Asia, with Timor-Leste being admitted as an ASEAN Member State during the 47th ASEAN Summit on 26 October 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It was proclaimed a Community through the “Kuala Lumpur Declaration on ASEAN 2025: Forging Ahead Together”, signed by the ASEAN Leaders during their 27th Summit 2015. The ASEAN Community Vision 2025 calls for the ASEAN Community in forging ahead together, and to work towards building a community that is politically cohesive, economically integrated and socially responsible.

The ASEAN Secretariat was established in 1976 by the Foreign Minister of ASEAN with basic functions of providing greater efficiency in the coordination of ASEAN organs and for more effective implementation of ASEAN projects and activities. It is also envisioned to be the nerve centre of a strong and confident ASEAN Community that is globally respected for acting in full compliance with its Charter and in the best interest of its people.

In alignment with the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 and Strategic Plans of the three ASEAN pillars of Political Security Community, Economic Community and Socio-Cultural Community, and ASEAN Connectivity, supported by the Department of Community and Corporate Affairs, the ASEAN Secretariat is inviting qualified ASEAN Nationals to apply for the position of Assistant Director/Chief Internal Auditor, Internal Audit & Evaluation Division.

Remuneration and Benefits:
Successful candidate will be offered a basic salary of USD 5,567 and attractive remuneration package including housing, outpatient medical reimbursement, hospitalization & life insurance, children’s education and gratuity. Subject to good performance during the probation, the candidate will be offered a fixed term contract of three (3) years, inclusive of the six-month probationary period. Please note that ASEAN Secretariat Staff shall not be retained in active service beyond the age of 60 years

Responsibilities

The Assistant Director (ADR)/Chief Internal Auditor reports administratively to the Secretary-General of ASEAN (SG). He/she will be responsible for the following duties:

Manage the Division’s resources, including financial, physical and human resources.

Prepare the Division’s work plan, ensuring alignment with priorities and overseeing the quality of its deliverables.

Develop audit approaches that respond to identified risks, ensuring ASEC is well-prepared to address potential threats.

Report to SG, the Committee of Permanent Representatives of ASEAN (CPR) and the ASEAN Audit Committee (AAC) on its evaluation of internal control, management and operational audits of ASEC, as well as its programme, sub programme and activities.

Assist SG in reviewing and evaluating the current system, procedures, management practices, and performance standards of ASEC including providing recommendations for improvement of effectiveness and efficiency in planning and controlling of organisation’s resources.

Monitor and report the progress of the agreed improvements, including periodical audit assessments.

Assist SG in setting up preventive measures, such as preventing fraud, recommending mechanisms to tighten internal controls, and promoting fraud awareness to the staff.

Ensure that internal audit activities are conducted in conformity with ASEAN Secretariat Financial and Administrative Rules and Procedures (AFARP) and the Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing.

Provide advice and recommendations to the ASEC’s management on improvement of the various functions of ASEC.

Foster teamwork and collaboration within the Division and across ASEC.

Perform special or any ad-hoc audit as tasked by SG.

Qualifications

A qualified auditor with advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent degree) in auditing, accounting, business administration, finance, and/or other relevant professional degree is required.

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.

Extensive professional auditing experience with progressively increasing responsibility.

Extensive supervisory experience, including a minimum of six (6) years in a senior management position.

Solid experience in public policy development and negotiation, and experience in briefing Government Ministers and senior officials.

A solid understanding of international and regional issues, and knowledge of and commitment to ASEAN ideals.

High-level financial, physical and human resource management skills.

Strong leadership, strategic and business planning skills.

Demonstrated ability to lead and motivate staff in a dynamic and demanding environment.

High-level interpersonal, negotiation and communication skills, including experience in cross-cultural environment and international settings.

Proven ability to develop and maintain sound working relationships with government representatives, public and private sector organisations and other stakeholders.

Commitment to consultative and collaborative approaches and work practices.

Excellent command of English, written and spoken.

© Association of Southeast Asian Nations

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements