Audit Analyst

The Office of Audit and Investigations (OAI) reports to the Administrator and is responsible for internal audit and investigations services to UNDP and its affiliated entities. OAI provides independent, objective assurance on the effectiveness of risk management and the effectiveness and adequacy of internal controls. As part of its assurance work, OAI also supports the annual audit exercise of non-governmental/nationally implemented projects (HACT/NIM projects) in some 150 countries where UNDP operates and reviews and analyses the resulting audit reports submitted by audit firms and government audit institutions. 

OAI has a decentralized organizational structure with Directorate and other headquarter units based in New York, and Regional Audit Centre’s (RACs) located in five regions: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (Asia Pacific), Pretoria, South Africa (East and South Africa), Dakar, Senegal (North, West and Central Africa), Panama City, Panama (Latin America and the Caribbean) and Istanbul, Turkey (Europe and the CIS).

The Audit Analyst reports to the Chief of the RAC for Latin America and the Caribbean (RAC-LAC). The RAC-LAC is staffed with a Chief (P-5 level), three Audit Specialists (2 P-4 and 1 P-3), one Audit Analyst (P2), and one Administrative Associate (GS-6 level). 

Position Purpose

The Regional Audit Centre for Latin America and the Caribbean (RAC-LAC) covers a portfolio of 25 UNDP country offices in the region. The primary role of the Audit Analyst is to perform internal audits of UNDP country offices in the region and to review the annual HACT/NIM/NGO and DIM audit exercises under the direct supervision of the RAC Chief. The location of the offices covered by the RAC-LAC may include areas with hardship or hazardous working conditions.

UNDP adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve its strategic goals. Therefore, UNDP personnel are expected to work across units, functions, teams, and projects in multidisciplinary teams to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration.

Duties and Responsibilities

As a member of an audit team and under the supervision of the team leader, prepares/participates in the preparation of risk-based audit plans/programmes

• Prepare working papers for review by the audit team leader. 
• Draft specific parts of audit reports for review by the team leader. 
• Monitor the implementation of agreed recommendations and advises on problem areas.
• Apply, to the extent possible, the concept of Performance Audit in all audit engagements.

Participates in the annual review of HACT/NIM/NGO audit reports that cover projects implemented by either, national institutions or non-governmental organizations

• Review of annual HACT/NIM/NGO audit plans submitted by country offices.
• Qualitatively assess the HACT/NIM/NGO audit reports received.
• Assess country office follow-up action plans.
• Preparation of HACT/NIM/NGO review letters and supervision of consultants engaged in the HACT/NIM/NGO exercise.

Participates in the annual exercise for the audit of projects directly implemented (DIM) by UNDP

• Review the annual DIM plan and support the preparation of RFP to external audit firms.
• Assess qualitatively and quantitatively proposals for audit services received from audit firms.
• Oversee the work by audit firms and provides clarifications to external audit firms.
• Assess draft and final reports produced by external audit firms.
• Assess the performance of the work performed by the audit firms.

As a member of an audit team conducts specific elements of the assignment in accordance with the International Standards for Internal Auditing and OAI policy guidelines

• Assess the adequacy and effectiveness of internal controls and risk management practices. 
• Document findings and communicate orally and/or in writing to the country offices on their compliance, performance, and potential for improvement. 
• Recommend actions to address shortcomings identified, strengthen internal controls, and improve business processes. 
• Undertake frequent, and at times extended, missions to UNDP offices in the region, including to areas with hazardous working conditions.

Contributes to the ongoing development of professional practices within OAI

• Participates in knowledge sharing sessions, learning activities, etc. 
• Participates in the implementation of his/er personal learning and training development plan.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Competencies

Core:
Achieve Results:

• Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline.

Think Innovatively:

• Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements.

Learn Continuously:

• Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback.

Adapt with Agility:

• Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible.

Act with Determination:               

• Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident.

Engage and Partner:

• Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships.

Enable Diversity and Inclusion:

• Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination.

Cross-Functional & Technical: 
Business Direction and Strategy: System Thinking            

• Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system.

Business Management: Communication               

• Ability to communicate in a clear, concise, and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience. 
• Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media, and other appropriate channels.

Audit & Investigation – Audit: Internal auditing standards, practices, and techniques

• Knowledge of key notions and concepts, practices, and methodologies of internal auditing (IPPF and Other IIA Standards, COSO). Undertake audit assignments in accordance with international professional standards in respect of operational audits, financial audits, performance audits, project audits and provision of advisory services. 

Audit & Investigation – Audit: Critical creative and foresight applied to audit and investigations 

• Possess essential critical thinking and foresight capacity to analyze facts to form a judgment. 

Audit & Investigation – Audit: Performance key concepts and techniques             

• Ability to understand and use various concepts such as efficiency, effectiveness, and economy. 

Audit & Investigation – Audit: Fraud awareness and investigation techniques    

• Basic knowledge to understand the foundations of fraud, how to detect red flags and conduct initial fact findings. 

Business Direction and Strategy: Negotiation and Influence         

• Ability to reach an understanding, persuade others, resolve points of difference, gain advantage in the outcome of dialogue, negotiates mutually acceptable solutions through compromise and creates win-win situations.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in Economics, Development, International Relations, Business Administration, Public Administration, Law, or related field is required. OR
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas mentioned above, in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree. Or
• A bachelor’s degree in combination with one or more of the following is required. a) certification as a Chartered Accountant. b) certification as a Certified Public Accountant.
• Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) designation desirable; in the absence of CIA certification, additional professional certifications (e.g., CISA, CFE) are an advantage.

 Experience:

• A minimum of 2 years (with master’s degree) or 4 years (with bachelor’s degree) of professional experience in audit or another directly relevant area, such as internal audit, program evaluation, international policy, or project management is required. 
• Working experience in International Organizations or National Supreme Audit Institutions is desirable.
• Field experience is an advantage.
• Experience in performance audits is an advantage.

Language:

• Fluency in English and Spanish required.
• Working knowledge of other UN official languages (e.g., French) is an advantage.