CHIEF OF SECTION, AUDIT, P5

  • Organisation: OIOS - Office of Internal Oversight Services
  • Location: Kabul
  • Contract: R
  • Deadline: 24 December 2026

Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the in the Resident Audit Office, Internal Audit Division (IAD) in the Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) in Kabul, Afghanistan. The Chief of Section reports to the Chief of Service, Peace Operations Audit Service. The Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) is the internal oversight body of the United Nations. Established in 1994 by the General Assembly, the office assists the Secretary-General in fulfilling his oversight responsibilities in respect of the resources and staff of the Organization through the provision of audit, investigation, inspection, and evaluation services. The Office aims to be an agent of change that promotes responsible administration of resources, a culture of accountability and transparency, and improved programme performance. The Internal Audit Division 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.

Responsibilities

The incumbent will be responsible for the following duties: • Oversees annual risk assessment of a portfolio of clients and ensures risk registers are kept current. • Develops and implements the Section’s medium and long-term goals and objectives, and related annual audit work plans. • Plans, organizes, directs and coordinates the activities of teams conducting multiple concurrent engagements. • Manages the human and financial resources of the Section. • Defines the broad objectives and scope for each audit/advisory engagement. • Provides direction and leadership with respect to all phases of each audit/advisory engagement with a view to ensuring that OIOS standards and global internal audit are complied with and that audit/review objectives are achieved within budget. • Reviews working papers and engagement communications (e.g., audit and advisory reports). • Empowers/challenges staff to assume more responsibility. • Provides guidance to audit staff on technical and administrative matters. • Leads audits/ advisory engagements of a sensitive and complex nature. • Analyses guidelines and standards for internal audit activities and ensures consistency of approach and adequacy of practice of subordinate auditors.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. • Comments on and recommends improvements in, or reviews proposed changes to, administrative issuances including the financial rules of the Organization. • Monitors the status of implementation of audit recommendations. • Liaises with internal audit functions of other United Nations organizations. • Establishes and maintains a positive relationship with auditees and other oversight bodies. • Carries out other tasks as may be assigned by the Service Chief or Director of IAD. Work implies frequent interaction with the following: Staff at all levels throughout the Organization Government officials Senior management of other Organizations Chief Technical Advisers, experts and consultants Counterparts in sister organizations Professional organizations Results Expected: Independently responsible for overall planning, development, management and supervision of assurance and advisory engagements to a portfolio of clients and management of assigned staff with complex audit operations and issues.

Competencies

Competencies: Professionalism: Knowledge of auditing standards and practices, knowledge of applicable financial rules and procedures. Ability to identify issues, formulate opinions and present conclusions and recommendations. 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. Able 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. Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings. 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 business administration, finance, accounting or related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with 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

Certification as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Chartered Accountant (CA), and Certified International Auditor (CIA), Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) or equivalent is desirable.

Work Experience

A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible professional experience in audit, finance, accounting, administration or related area is required. Five years’ experience in audit management is required. Five years’ experience of drafting audit reports is required. Three years’ experience reviewing audit reports is required. Five years’ experience in managing a diverse group of professionals is required. Experience in analysis of complete and complex sets of data to identify anomalies and trends using contemporary data analytics tools is required.

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 Russian or Arabic or Chinese (Mandarin) 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

Language Reading Writing Listening Speaking

English UN Level III UN Level III UN Level III UN Level III

Desirable Languages

Language Reading Writing Listening Speaking

French UN Level I UN Level I UN Level I UN Level I

Spanish UN Level I UN Level I UN Level I UN Level I

Russian UN Level I UN Level I UN Level I UN Level I

Arabic UN Level I UN Level I UN Level I UN Level I

Chinese (Mandarin) UN Level I UN Level I UN Level I UN Level I

Assessment

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

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