Internal Auditor

Job Posting Organization:
The Office of the Inspector-General (OIG) is a key oversight body within the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations. Established to ensure accountability and transparency, the OIG conducts internal audits and investigations to enhance the effectiveness of FAO's operations. The organization operates globally, with a mission to improve security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security and nutrition, promote sustainable agriculture, and eradicate hunger. The OIG plays a crucial role in ensuring that FAO's programs are executed efficiently and ethically, adhering to international standards and best practices in auditing.

Job Overview:
The Internal Auditor position is integral to the Internal Audit Branch of the OIG at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy. The role involves planning and executing audit assurance and advisory engagements aimed at providing independent and objective assurance to the Director-General and other governing bodies. The selected candidate will initially be assigned to the Audit Advisory and Professional Practices Unit, where they will engage in various audit activities, ensuring that the organization's operations are conducted with due regard to economy, efficiency, effectiveness, and ethics. The position requires a systematic approach to evaluating and improving risk management, control, and governance processes, in line with the International Professional Practices Framework (IPPF).

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Internal Auditor will be responsible for a comprehensive range of duties, including: planning and executing audit assurance and advisory engagements from initial planning through to final analysis and report writing; preparing and reviewing electronic working papers that support audit observations and conclusions; drafting clear and concise reports and presenting findings to the Inspector-General and FAO management; providing specialist advice to managers across the organization; participating in project and program reviews; promoting capacity development in internal auditing; contributing to the OIG Internal Audit Quality Assurance and Improvement Programme; developing and enhancing internal audit tools and techniques; undertaking outreach activities to support OIG's communication strategy; and performing other duties as required. The role also involves maintaining effective relationships with various stakeholders and contributing to the exchange of information between internal audit and investigation functions.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in relevant fields such as audit, management, business administration, finance, accounting, risk management, economics, law, computer science, or information systems. Alternatively, candidates with a first-level university degree may be considered if they have two additional years of relevant work experience and a certification from an internationally recognized auditing or accountancy body. A minimum of five years of relevant experience in modern auditing, accounting, management, or information systems techniques is required, along with proficiency in English and intermediate knowledge of another FAO official language.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in fields related to auditing, management, business administration, finance, accounting, risk management, economics, law, computer science, or information systems. Candidates with a first-level university degree may also be considered if they possess additional relevant work experience and recognized auditing certifications.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of five years of relevant experience in an organization utilizing modern auditing, accounting, management, or information systems techniques. Experience in both public and private sectors, as well as in auditing or management consulting firms, is highly valued. Candidates should demonstrate extensive experience in financial, operational, performance, and IT audits, as well as risk assessments and management.

Languages:
Proficiency in English (level C) is mandatory, along with intermediate knowledge (level B) of another FAO official language, which could include Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish. Additional proficiency in another FAO official language would be considered an asset.

Additional Notes:
The position is based in Rome, Italy, at the FAO headquarters. It is a full-time role, and candidates will be assessed against the specified minimum requirements. The selected candidate will initially be assigned to the Audit Advisory and Professional Practices Unit for a period of two years, with opportunities for rotation between units. The role may involve outreach activities and collaboration with various stakeholders within the organization.