EXECUTIVE SECRETARY

Contract

This is a D-1 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 15 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 242,484 USD and 305,990 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 advertised is located in New York. The incumbent manages the work of the Secretariat to the United Nations Board of Auditors (the Board) and Panel of External Auditors of the United Nations. The incumbent reports to the Assistant Secretary-General/Controller.

Responsibilities The duties and responsibilities of the incumbent of the post cover the following:

Servicing of the Board and Panel of External Auditors:

I. Plans and organizes the Board and the Panel of External Auditors sessions through the year. This includes conducting the proceedings of the sessions including preparation of the agenda and related working papers for discussion and drawing the attention of the Chairperson and members to policy decisions, discussions etc. arising from the intergovernmental legislative bodies that may be relevant to the work of the Board and/or Panel of External Auditors. This also results in the Board's approval of 27-30 reports annually at the session. The ES is also the custodian of the Board and Panel’s records since their inception and is responsible for the archiving of these records.

II. Engagement with multiple stakeholders on an on-going basis. The ES is in engagement with multiple stakeholders at the highest level including heads of entities, Member States, Intergovernmental and Oversight Bodies. The ES is also engaged with the larger UN entities in the system such as the CEB and IPSAS Task Force to facilitate the liaison between Auditors and client mechanisms.

III. Publishing and processing BoA reports The ES is responsible for ensuring the producing approximately 27-30 reports annually coordinating the publishing and translation process with DGACM and assists the Audit Operations Committee in their discussion at Intergovernmental bodies.

IV. Management of ES Secretariat Staff a) The ES manages his/her own staff and budget related issues for both Auditors and Secretariat personnel; b) Renders administrative support to the Chairperson of the AOC, TG, the Board and the Panel; c) Maintains a permanent record of the discussions, resolutions and decisions of the General Assembly with audit implications and informs Members of the Board accordingly; d) Ensures a comprehensive and current permanent record of parliamentary and other documentation (inter alia management letters, Financial Regulations and Rules, etc.) for use by the Board and its staff as well as records relative to the activities of regular and special sessions of the Board and Panel; e) Prepares the biennial programme budget proposals of the Office and for the Board of Auditors (including the audit fee); monitors expenditures; and certifies the accounts as they relate to the Office; f) Leads team members efforts to collect and analyze data and provides insight to identify trends or patterns for data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting. Ensures that everyone can discover, access, integrate and share the data they need.

Support to Audit Operations Committee:

a) Advises the Board, Audit Operations Committee (AOC) on the Board's established policies and practices, including the development and implementation of audit policies and procedures, especially for the benefit of incoming Board and AOC members; b) Provides guidance, advice and information to the AOC and individual Directors of External Audit on administrative matters and financial practices and procedures in the United Nations; c) Advises new auditors of past discussions and decisions as well as on the work of the Joint Inspection Unit (JIU), the Independent Audit Advisory Committee (IAAC), the Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) and other internal audit services, with a view to limiting duplication of efforts; d) Prepares periodic information reports for the AOC, members of the Board and the Panel of External Auditors on senior management changes and audit-related policy decisions, etc. taken by the Administration and the legislative authorities; e) Maintains close liaison with the Secretariats of ACABQ, the Fifth Committee, JIU, IAAC and OIOS with a view to obtaining information about the activities of these bodies that is of interest to the AOC, the Board and the Panel of External Auditors; assists in the transmission of queries between the legislative committees and the auditors; f) Undertakes assignments, other than direct audit work, as requested by the AOC, Members of the Board, and the Panel of External Auditors; and g) Arranges for monthly meetings of the AOC, including the drafting of the agendas and preparation of the minutes of the meetings.

Competencies Professionalism: Proven ability to perform extensive advisory and monitoring functions, to provide technical, administrative and substantive support arising from directives and guidelines which include Financial Regulations and Rules, administrative manuals, Administrative Instructions and Staff Regulations and Rules and policy statements from legislative bodies. Knowledge of the field of auditing, International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS), the Internal Standards on Auditing and the International Standards of Supreme Audit Institutions. A client-focused approach to problem-solving, and sound judgment and creativity to develop innovative solutions to unique audit situations. 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 the 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 that 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) in auditing, accounting, business or public administration, or related discipline is required. A first-level university degree (Bachelor's degree or equivalent) in combination with two additional years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Job - Specific Qualification Certification as CPA, CA, CIA, or CISA, or equivalent, is desirable.

Work Experience A minimum of fifteen years of progressively responsible experience in the field of auditing or accounting or related area is required.

Experience in a major public sector organization or within the United Nations system is desirable.

Experience with the programmes of other international organizations, such as the United Nations Development Programme, United Nations Children's Fund, etc. is desirable.

Experience in data analytics or related area is desirable.

Experience supervising a team 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 official United Nations language is an advantage.

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

Special Notice The appointment and renewal thereof are subject to the availability of the post or funds, budgetary approval or extension of the mandate.

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 and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

Staff members appointed to the current position are required to submit a financial disclosure statement upon assignment or appointment and annually thereafter.

Staff members of the United Nations Secretariat must fulfil the lateral move requirements to be eligible to apply for this vacancy. Staff members are requested to indicate all qualifying lateral moves in their Personal History Profile (PHP) and cover letter.

For this position, applicants from the following Member States, which are unrepresented or underrepresented in the UN Secretariat as of 31 July 2022, are strongly encouraged to apply: Afghanistan, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahrain, Belize, Brunei Darussalam, Cabo Verde, Central African Republic, China, Comoros, Cuba, Cyprus, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Djibouti, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Israel, Japan, Kiribati, Kuwait, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Malta, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Monaco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, Norway, Oman, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Solomon Islands, South Sudan, Timor-Leste, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Vanuatu.

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.