Internal Audit Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
The Office of the Inspector General (OIG) operates under the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations. The OIG is responsible for providing oversight of FAO's programs and operations through internal audits and investigations. The Internal Audit Branch (OIGA) is divided into two units: the Assurance Unit, which focuses on audits of headquarters entities and decentralized offices, and the Advisory and Professional Practices Unit, which undertakes advisory engagements and leads initiatives to enhance professional practices within the internal audit function. The OIG aims to improve the effectiveness of risk management, control, and governance processes within the organization, adhering to the International Professional Practices Framework (IPPF) and the standards set by the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA).

Job Overview:
The Internal Audit Specialist position is designed for individuals who will undertake audit and advisory activities within the OIG’s Internal Audit Branch (OIGA). The role requires a high level of technical competence and independence, ensuring compliance with the International Professional Practices Framework and FAO policies. The specialist may be based at the FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy, or may work remotely, depending on the specific requirements of OIGA. The position is open for both generalist auditors and those specializing in Information Technology and data analytics. The role involves contributing to the preparation of annual work plans, leading audit assignments, discussing findings with senior management, and providing recommendations to enhance operational efficiency. The specialist will also be responsible for preparing comprehensive audit programs and electronic working papers that support audit findings.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Internal Audit Specialist will have a range of responsibilities, including but not limited to: contributing to the preparation of annual work plans that include risk analysis; preparing comprehensive audit programs; leading or participating in audit assignments to assess the adequacy and effectiveness of the Organization’s internal controls, risk management, and governance; performing value for money and compliance audits; discussing audit findings with senior management and preparing clear, concise draft reports summarizing the results of assignments; providing advice to management at various levels and making recommendations to improve controls; providing on-the-job supervision and training to affiliate personnel; preparing electronic working papers that support the work done and audit findings; and performing other related duties as required. The specialist will work under the guidance of the Inspector-General and the supervision of a Head of Unit.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must meet the following minimum requirements: For Consultants, an advanced university degree from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO in fields such as audit, business or public administration, finance, accounting, information systems, computer science, economics, political science, international development, law, or related fields is required. Those with a bachelor's degree must have two additional years of relevant professional experience. For Professional Staff Associates (PSAs), a university degree in similar fields is required. Additionally, candidates must have relevant working experience in internal audit, with at least ten years for category A, five years for category B, and two years for category C. A working knowledge of English at level C is also mandatory.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced university degree from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO in relevant fields such as audit, business or public administration, finance, accounting, information systems, computer science, economics, political science, international development, law, or any other related field. For those applying as Consultants with a bachelor's degree, two additional years of relevant professional experience are necessary. For PSAs, a university degree in the aforementioned fields is sufficient.

Experience:
The level of experience required for the Internal Audit Specialist position varies by category. For category A, candidates must have at least ten years of relevant working experience in internal audit, including information technology audit. For category B, a minimum of five years is required, while category C candidates need at least two years of relevant experience. Experience in performing financial, operational, performance, and information technology audits is essential, along with demonstrated ability to identify issues, collect and analyze information, and develop recommendations or solutions.

Languages:
A working knowledge of English at level C is mandatory for this position. Additionally, limited knowledge (level B) of other FAO official languages, including Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, and Spanish, is considered an asset. This multilingual capability can enhance communication and collaboration within the organization and with various stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
The position is for short-term assignments ranging from three to a maximum of 11 months. Candidates may be required to undertake field missions depending on the specific needs of the OIG. The role is open to both national and international candidates, and it may involve home-based assignments. Professional certifications such as Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) and/or Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) are desirable, along with certifications from internationally recognized accountancy bodies like CPA, CMA, CIMA, or ACCA. For IT Audit Specialists, certifications such as Certified in the Governance of Enterprise IT (CGEIT), Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC), ISO 27001, ITIL, or IT Project Management are also desirable.