Org. Setting and Reporting
This position is located in the Headquarters Audit Service, Internal Audit Division (IAD) in the Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) in New York. The Chief of Service reports to the Director, Internal Audit Division. The Internal Audit Division (IAD) provides assurance and advisory services to all entities of the United Nations under the Secretary-General's authority. Clients comprise departments and offices within the United Nations Secretariat, regional commissions, peace operations, select funds and programmes, and other United Nations entities. The Headquarters Audit Service provides internal oversight coverage for the entities under five sections; Headquarters Audit Section, Field Audit Section, and Special Assignment Section in New York; European Audit Section in Geneva; and African Audit Section in Nairobi.
Responsibilities
The Chief of Service is responsible for managing the substantive work programme and resources of the Service. These responsibilities include the following: a. Develops an annual risk-based audit plan for the activities managed by the Service. b. Manages the execution of the annual audit plan, ensuring the efficient utilization of the human and financial resources of the Service, in accordance with: (i) approved audit work plans and budgets; (ii) OIOS policies and procedures; and (iii) the Internal Standards for the Professional Practice of internal auditing followed by OIOS. c. 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. d. Assists the Director, IAD with establishing operating guidelines, internal audit manuals, lines of authority and communicating work objectives and priorities of reporting. e. Establish effective collaborative relationships between the Service and client entities to increase the relevance and impact of the Service's outputs. f. Identify resource requirements for the Service for inclusion in OIOS' staffing strategies and budget requests. g. Represent the Service within the United Nations and other organizations as requested by the Director, IAD. h. Carry out other tasks as may be assigned by the Director, IAD to ensure the efficient and effective implementation of IAD work programmes. Work implies frequent interaction with the following: Managers and staff within the Division, Department, Office, Commission and/or Mission. Senior Staff within the UN Secretariat, Missions Heads and other UN offices, funds, programmes and specialized agencies. Chairs and members of intergovernmental bodies. Results expected: Produces high-quality outputs on key issues. Effectively and efficiently manages available human and financial resources to ensure the timely delivery of programmed outputs. Provides solid substantive support in the servicing of various committees and intergovernmental bodies; reports for these bodies are clear and focused on the issue at hand and the meetings or seminars are well-organized meetings or seminars and address the topics covered in a comprehensive manner. Effectively develops staff under his/her supervision, including their on-going learning and development. Effectively assists, guides and supports programme managers in meeting their objectives and outputs.
Competencies
Professionalism: Knowledge of the substantive field of work in general and of specific areas being supervised. Ability to produce reports and papers on technical issues and to review and edit the work of others. Ability to apply United Nation regulations and rules, policies and guidelines in work 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. The ability to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. 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& 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. Managerial Competencies 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 improvements; 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. Managing Performance: Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority; makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member; accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills; monitors progress against milestones and deadlines; regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff; encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative; actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff; appraises performance fairly.
Education
Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in auditing, finance, business administration, accounting or closely 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
Professional certification as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Chartered Accountant (CA), Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA), or equivalent is desirable.
Work Experience
A minimum of fifteen years of progressively responsible experience in auditing of which at least 5 years must be at the management level, is required. Experience in field operations is desirable. Experience in data analytics or related area is desirable.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English is required. Either French or Spanish or Chinese (Mandarin) or Arabic or Russian is desirable. The table below shows the minimum required level for each skill in these languages, according to the UN Language Framework (please consult https://languages.un.org for details).
Required Languages
LanguageReadingWritingListeningSpeakingEnglishUN Level IIIUN Level IIIUN Level IIIUN Level III
Desirable Languages
LanguageReadingWritingListeningSpeakingFrenchUN Level IUN Level IUN Level IUN Level ISpanishUN Level IUN Level IUN Level IUN Level IChinese (Mandarin)UN Level IUN Level IUN Level IUN Level IArabicUN Level IUN Level IUN Level IUN Level IRussianUN Level IUN Level IUN Level IUN Level I
Assessment
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise, which may be followed by a competency-based interview.
Special Notice
This post is financed by the Regular Budget of the United Nations. The appointment, or assignment, and renewal thereof is subject to the availability of the post or funds, budgetary approval, or extension of the mandate. Appointment or assignment against this position is for an initial period of one year. 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 Administrative Profile or Personal History Profile (PHP) and cover letter. The staff member appointed to the current position is required to submit a financial disclosure statement upon assignment or appointment and annually thereafter. 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. 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. For this position, applicants from the following Member States, which are unrepresented or underrepresented in the UN Secretariat as of 30 June 2026, are strongly encouraged to apply: Andorra, Brunei, Darussalam, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Grenada, Kiribati, Kuwait, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Liechtenstein, Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated States of), Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Qatar, Sao Tome and Principe, Timor-Leste, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, Vanuatu, Afghanistan, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Belize, China, Cuba, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Libya, Liberia, Luxembourg, Monaco, Oman, Paraguay, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Turkmenistan, United States of America.
