Director, Internal Audit and Investigations Group (IAIG)

The Director leads IAIG in achieving the mission set forth in its Charter: the provision of independent and objective assurance over the design, effectiveness and quality of UNOPS’ Governance, Risk Management and Internal Controls and processes.

Critical to the Director’s success is their ability to balance the independence of the IAIG function whilst maintaining strong relationships with a diverse range of internal and external stakeholders who are important partners in UNOPS’ efforts to maintain the highest standards of transparency and accountability. The Director’s primary responsibilities are as set out below.

       1. Strategic leadership and operational management

• Set the direction and the strategic priorities for the IAIG.

• Direct the unit’s operational approaches and drive their continuous improvement. Be an innovator and ahead of the curve in such topics as data analytics, agile project management, remote auditing/investigations and related emerging fields. Manage a cost-effective operational budget.

• Drive sustainable quality improvements within IAIG, and be seen as a strong proponent of Quality Assurance processes. Stay current with international development trends and practices, and analyze the impact of those changes on the risks, controls and processes of UNOPS. Implement and support best international practices for the prevention, detection, and investigation of fraud and abuse as set forth in IAIG’s Charter.

• Ensure the IAIG delivers on its risk-based work plan in a timely fashion, with high quality, and to stakeholder satisfaction.

• Ensure the IAIG operates as an independent assurance unit at all times, whilst building effective relationships with key stakeholders in the effort to be recognized as a trusted advisor to the business: helping UNOPS operate successfully and mitigate risks.

• Maintain a sound record of performance validated through a robust audit and investigations program, which is critical in maintaining UNOPS’ reputation as a reliable provider of services and an effective steward of resources.

• Lead UNOPS’ investigations into alleged fraud, corruption, SEA, waste of resources, abuse of authority or other misconduct and violations of regulations, rules and administrative instructions. Maintain IAIG’s misconduct hotline and other channels of allegations intake. Investigate whistleblower complaints and allegations of misconduct consistent with the Charter of the IAIG.

• Maintain the highest standard of audits and investigations, ensuring adherence to the ‘Code of Ethics and International Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing of the Institute of Internal Auditors’ (the IIA standards) and conduct all investigations, in accordance with the guidelines of the Conference of International Investigators and in line with international best practice.

• Keep the Executive Director, Executive Board and AAC informed of IAIG’s activities and findings, through the submission of an annual opinion on UNOPS’ Governance, Risk Management and Controls; as well as regular reports of internal audits, investigations, reviews and other assurance engagements within the scope of the Charter of the IAIG.

• Report at least annually to the Executive Board on the organizational independence of IAIG as set forth in its Charter. Formulate an effective communications strategy for continuous dissemination of key findings to, and feedback from, stakeholders and beneficiaries.

• Act as a trusted advisor to the Executive Director and advise key stakeholders regarding the integrity of UNOPS’ control systems, the quality of management execution and ultimately the financial/business soundness of its projects.

• Help safeguard the organisation by advising on risk management and related prevention and detection topics.

• Support UNOPS in building, and continuously improving, strong and effective risk awareness and control consciousness.

• Make risk-prioritized recommendations, and report on whether such actions are cleared appropriately and in a timely fashion.

• Promote the sharing of best practice with regard to risk management and internal-control assurance across UNOPS, as well as sister agencies in the UN, IFIs and Donor oversight community.

• Ensure that the Executive Board’s expectations for the independent assurance function are well understood and met.

• Manage key relationships (e.g. Executive Director, Executive Board, Donors, the Audit Advisory Committee (AAC), Board of Auditors, UN Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS), Representatives of Internal Audit Services (RIAS), Representatives of Investigative Services (RIS), Joint Inspection Unit (JIU), UNOPS-Senior Leadership Team (SLT) and UNOPS-Global Leadership Management Team (GLM) ).

• Foster collaborative relationships with Donor and Partner organizations with the aim of knowledge sharing, encouraging high standards of integrity and fighting corruption and fraud.

• Negotiate and sign memoranda of understanding and other agreements establishing cooperative arrangements with Donor and Partner organizations on IAIG matters.

• Represent UNOPS at conferences and other forums relevant to the IAIG’s mission.

• Plan, recruit, develop and ultimately lead a flexible and diverse workforce, with the skills and competencies needed to ensure optimum performance of the IAIG.  Ensure sufficient knowledge, skills and other competencies are available to be able to undertake audit and investigation assignments with integrity, proficiency and due professional care, including engagement of external resources.

• Direct a high caliber team of auditors, investigators and subject matter specialist retainers (e.g. forensic accountants, construction engineers, cyber experts and language translators) in achieving IAIG’s mission.

• Be able to consistently lead several multidisciplinary teams (including co-sourced and outsourced personnel, retainers and consultants), across a complex landscape of varying time zones and locations (including high-risk and fragile environments).

• Create, foster and role model a culture of trust, empowerment and accountability within the IAIG. Promote teamwork, collaboration and diversity; build engagement and foster an inclusive work environment, respectful of all, and ensure that the highest standards of conduct are observed.

• Have a solid record of accomplishment in project managing complex assurance engagements.

• Advanced university degree in accounting, auditing, business, finance, law or other relevant field.

• A combination of a Bachelor’s degree with an additional 2 years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the education requirements outlined above.

• A professional certification from an internationally recognized auditing, accountancy, investigative or legal body (CA, CPA, CIA, CFE, Bar Association) is highly desirable.

• At least 15 years of audit or investigation relevant experience, preferably within the international environment.

• Solid experience in guiding and advising senior leadership teams, with respect to internal audit and investigation implications of the organizations’ major decisions is required.

• Extensive knowledge of internal auditing and investigations standards and practices; tools and techniques and the assessment of management systems and practices, internal controls, and utilization of resources. Familiarity of such within the United Nations system or international development entity is highly desirable.

• Experience and working knowledge of standards for conducting investigations and producing credible and timely investigation reports to Legal Counsel.

• General management practices and techniques, including: management principles, governance and accountability, use of technology, behavioral science, project management research and analysis, and quality assurance.

• Fluent in English with proven ability to communicate well both verbally and in writing is required. Fluency in French or Spanish is an asset.

UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development.

UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management and human resources.

Working with us

UNOPS offers short- and long-term work opportunities in diverse and challenging environments across the globe. We are looking for creative, results-focused professionals with skills in a range of disciplines.

Diversity

With over 4,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,000 personnel recruited on behalf of UNOPS partners spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a wide range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced, diverse workforce — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs, and continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that encourage recruitment of qualified female candidates.

Work life harmonization

UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands.