CHIEF OF SECTION, AUDIT

Contract

This is a P-5 contract. This kind of contract is known as Professional and Director staff. It is normally internationally recruited only. It's a staff contract. It usually requires 10 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 208,877 USD and 261,770 USD.

Please keep in mind that the salary displayed here is an estimation by UN Talent based on the location and the type of contract. It may vary depending on the organization. The recruiter should be able to inform you about the exact salary range. In case the job description contains another salary information, please refer to this one.

Org. Setting and Reporting The position is located in the Audit Response and Boards of Inquiry Section (ARBOIS), Office of the Under-Secretary-General, Department of Operational Support (OUSG DOS). The incumbent reports to the Chief of OUSG DOS. ARBOIS coordinates the DOS work related to the Organization’s main oversight mechanisms, including preparing responses on oversight reports, following up on the status of implementation of oversight recommendations and guiding DOS on measures to address internal control weaknesses and prevent repeated audit findings. In addition, ARBOIS provides guidance to field missions to facilitate inquiries into accidents and incidents resulting in the loss of life and serious injuries of mission members or third-party individuals when mission members are involved, and major loss of United Nations funds or damage to assets and equipment; this includes advising and assisting the USG DOS in all matters related to HQ Boards of Inquiry. ARBOIS also leads the Department’s risk management process and works with the OUSG planning team to integrate risk management into strategic planning.

Responsibilities Within delegated authority, the Chief of Audit Response and Boards of Inquiry Section will be responsible for the following:

• Provides overall management and supervision of the activities of the Audit Response and Boards of Inquiry Section reporting to him/her.
• Plans, develops, presents, and articulates responses to audit reports on behalf of the Under-Secretary-General for Operational Support (DOS).
• Provides strategic support to the senior management of DOS on audit, risk management and Headquarters Boards of Inquiry issues, including the identification of trends, gaps in policy, procedures, and guidelines, as well as emerging issues to address through preventive and/or corrective action, as required.
• Develops and provides guidance for DOS offices to ensure compliance with audit recommendations.
• Interacts on a routine basis with the members of the United Nations Board of Auditors (BOA), Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) and officials from the Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) as well as with senior management of DOS and field missions.
• Undertakes systematic review of Boards of Inquiry findings and recommendations; tasking the monitoring of implementation of recommendations, and provides technical guidance to field mission on conducting Boards of Inquiry.
• Ensures that inputs to reports of the oversight bodies to the General Assembly and responses to requests from Permanent Missions to the United Nations are provided in a timely and comprehensive manner.
• Identifies and collates suggested areas for inclusion in OIOS and JIU annual work plans.
• Attends the entrance/exit conferences of the oversight bodies and ensures any required follow-up.
• Implements and maintains the risk management process by aligning risk management with internal control measures as well as manages the process of identifying, analyzing, evaluating and treating risk.
• Undertakes research on existing guidance and best practices materials for risk management.
• Works closely with colleagues in DOS personnel to ensure the integration of the risk management process into both strategic planning and day to day operations; and provides guidance on and introduces methodologies for collecting, collating, and disseminating data relating to risk management planning.

• Oversees the maintenance of a reference library of documentation and other resources on audit, boards of inquiry and risk management and related matters on the basis of the existing stock of the relevant documents, e.g. reports of the BOA, JIU and OIOS, reports of boards of inquiry, risk management registers, financial regulations and rules, manuals and standard operating procedures.

  Competencies - PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of the accounting, audit, risk management and oversight functions and processes. Ability to conduct research, perform in-depth analysis of key issues, write reports, present relevant and meaningful information, and perform extensive advisory and monitoring functions. Knowledge of United Nations documentation on oversight, risk management, boards of inquiry and related administrative and budgetary matters is essential. 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.

• 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.

• PLANNING AND ORGANIZING: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.

• LEADERSHIP: Serves as a role model that other people want to follow; empowers others to translate vision into results; is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives; establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support; Anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions; drives for change and improvement, does not accept the status quo; shows the courage to take unpopular stands; provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing.

• JUDGEMENT/DECISION MAKING: Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly; gathers relevant information before making a decision; considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them; takes decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on the Organization; proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information; checks assumptions against facts; determines the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision; makes tough decisions when necessary.

  Education Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent degree) in finance, accounting, business administration or related area. A first-level university degree in combination with two (2) additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

  Work Experience A minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in auditing, finance, accounting, oversight, or related field is required.

  A minimum of three (3) years of experience managing teams in a unit/section in a large multicultural organization is required.

  Experience working in risk management in an international organization is desirable.

  At least one (1) year of experience in peacekeeping operations within the United Nations or a similar international organization is desirable.

  Languages English and French are the working languages of the UN Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of French is desirable. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.

  Assessment Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

  Special Notice - This position is temporarily available for six months with possibility of an extension. 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 job opening 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 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.

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.

The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side 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.