Consultancy - Internal Auditor

Contract type: Individual Consultancy Contract; renewable subject to UNFPA requirements, satisfactory
performance, and availability of funds.

Duty station: Work to be performed in multiple locations, including areas with hazardous working conditions.

Duration: 31 October to 31 December 2022 (subject to change) for up to a total of 45 business days.

Background information
UNFPA is the lead UN agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person's potential is fulfilled. UNFPA’s strategic plan (2022-2025), reaffirms the relevance of the current strategic direction of UNFPA and focuses on three transformative results: to end preventable maternal deaths; end unmet need for family planning; and end gender-based violence and harmful practices.

These results capture our strategic commitments on accelerating progress towards realizing the ICPD and
SDGs in the Decade of Action leading up to 2030. Our strategic plan calls upon UN Member States,
organizations, and individuals to “build forward better”, while addressing the negative impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on women’s and girls’ access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights, recover lost gains and realize our goals.

In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, we need principled and ethical staff, who embody
these international norms and standards, and who will defend them courageously and with full conviction.
UNFPA is seeking candidates that transform, inspire, and deliver high impact and sustained results; we need staff and personnel who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them and who commit to deliver excellence in programme results.

Purpose of consultancy
OAIS is an operationally independent office of UNFPA and reports to the Organization’s Executive Director. It is responsible for supporting the achievement of UNFPA’s objectives by contributing to the improvement of the Organization’s operations, risk management, and results through its internal audit, investigation, and advisory services. OAIS solely performs, manages, or authorizes others to carry out these services.

To fulfill this mandate, the Internal Audit Branch provides independent and objective assurance and advisory
services with the objective of increasing accountability, enhancing risk management, governance, and control processes, and improving the effectiveness and efficiency of UNFPA’s operational and programmatic
performance. UNFPA performs its internal audit work in accordance with the International Professional
Practices Framework (IPPF) issued by the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA).

OAIS requires the services of consultants to lead and conduct internal audits and advisory engagements under the supervision of OAIS engagement team leaders, Chiefs of Units, and the Director, OAIS.
Functional responsibilities Audit planning will be performed, as appropriate, and approved by OAIS Management. Audit field work and advisory engagements will be conducted at UNFPA field offices (e.g., Country and Regional Offices), Headquarters, and/or remotely. Audit work will be performed in accordance with the International Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing, and the internal audit methodology adopted by OAIS, which is outlined below:

Audit engagement planning phase
⮚ Contribute to the annual risk assessment for the audit of UNFPA business units and processes as
may be assigned.
⮚ Obtain and analyze information on the audited business unit or the process areas.
⮚ Develop a risk-based engagement audit plan and programmes in collaboration with the team
leader.

Audit engagement fieldwork phase
⮚ Build, document, and analyze evidence related to each of the risk areas identified in the planning
phase and included within the scope of the audit.
⮚ Supervise the work of other consultants on an audit engagement, as appropriate.
⮚ Document work performed for each of the areas within the audit scope.
⮚ Formulate value added and implementable recommendations addressing the root causes of audit
findings.
⮚ Review work-papers for completeness and accuracy.
⮚ Obtain Country Office or Regional Office Management and staff acceptance of audit findings and
recommendations.
⮚ Schedule, conduct, and document audit exit meetings.
⮚ Prepare and present draft reports summarizing audit findings and recommendations.
Audit engagement reporting phase
⮚ Coordinate the receipt of comments to report findings and recommendations from Country Office
and/or Regional Office Management.
⮚ Prepare and present the final internal audit report.

Advisory Services
⮚ Advisory services will involve a structured examination of processes, ERP system pre-
implementation, implementation and post-implementation, policies and guidance, programmatic
assessment, special audits, or other areas as maybe assigned.
⮚ Advisory and consultative services will take the form of preventative and supportive analysis
and/or reviews.

Required competencies
Values:
• Exemplifying integrity,
• Demonstrating commitment to
UNFPA and the UN system,

• Embracing inclusion and cultural
diversity, and
• Embracing change and receiving
feedback.

Functional Competencies:
• Excellent knowledge of auditing principles and their
application,
• Ability to lead and supervise an audit team to deliver on expected results,
• Excellent interviewing skills,
• Excellent research, analytical, and problem-solving
skills,
• Ability to apply good judgment in the context of
assignments given,
• Ability to plan work and manage conflicting
priorities for self and others,
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and in
writing, and ability to draft and edit clear and
concise reports in English, and
• Ability to handle sensitive relationships with tact,
integrity, and discretion.

Core Competencies:
• Achieving results,
• Being accountable,
• Developing and applying professional expertise/business acumen,
• Thinking analytically and strategically,
• Working in teams/managing ourselves and our relationships,
• Communicating for impact
• People Management - managing competencies and ability to improve performance,
satisfaction, and mentor staff.

Expected travel
Travel is expected to countries, areas of programme implementation, UNFPA field offices, Implementing
Partners, and other Partners, as may be necessary to undertake assigned audit engagements, missions, and advisory services.

UNFPA is cognizant of possible Covid-19 related travel restrictions during the specified contractual period. Any such restrictions will be taken into consideration before assigning any international or local travel.

Minimum required qualifications and experience:
Education and qualifications:
a) First university degree in accounting, auditing, business administration, commerce or related field.
b) Professional accounting, auditing or related designation (CA/ CPA / internationally recognized national
equivalent or CIA). Additional certifications would be considered an asset.

Knowledge and experience:
a) At least Ten (10) years previous internal audit and/or other directly relevant experience, preferably at
internal audit functions of the United Nations, UNFPA, and other United Nations System organizations
or an international or regional organizations.

b) Proven ability to conduct internal audit engagements covering the planning, fieldwork, and reporting
phases, in accordance with IPPF.
c) Demonstrated knowledge of internal auditing standards and practices, risk management, and internal
controls.
d) Experience in effective use of modern audit management tools and techniques such as electronic
working papers, Computer Assisted Audit Techniques (CAATs), word processors, spreadsheets, and
presentation software. Experience working with TeamMate+ and Google collaboration tools (i.e.,
Google Suite), an asset.
e) Excellent written and verbal communication skills and proven ability to express oneself well.
f) Knowledge of ERP systems, including their implementation, and experience in IT auditing, highly
desirable.
 

Languages
a) Fluency in English with proven ability to express himself/herself well verbally and in writing. Spanish,
Arabic, and/or French are an asset, while other UN languages are desirable.

How to apply
An application letter which states the candidate's motivation to apply for this consultancy, as well as a
curriculum vita/resume and or an updated P.11 Form.

All documents in PDF files must be sent by E-mail to oais-consultants@unfpa.org with a subject title ‘Internal Audit consultant’ by the specified deadline.
Only qualified candidates for further assessment or selection will be contacted by the Hiring Office/Unit prior
to the recruitment and contracting processes.

Disclaimer: UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Fraudulent notices, letters or offers may be submitted to the UNFPA fraud hotline http://www.unfpa.org/help/hotline.cfm UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, teamwork, Embracing diversity in all its forms, integrity and a healthy balance of work and life. We are committed to maintaining our balanced gender distribution and therefore encourage women to apply. UNFPA promotes equal opportunities for all including persons with disabilities.