Head of Internal Audit

What we do

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) works worldwide to provide protection and humanitarian assistance to people affected by conflict and armed violence. We take action in response to emergencies and, at the same time, promote respect for international humanitarian law. We are an independent and neutral organization, and our mandate stems essentially from the Geneva Conventions of 1949. We work closely with National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and with their International Federation in order to ensure a concerted, rational and rapid humanitarian response to the needs of the victims of armed conflict or any other situation of internal violence. We direct and coordinate the international activities conducted in these situations.

Purpose of the post

The Internal Audit Unit has an internal monitoring function. It reports directly to the Assembly, which, assisted by the Risks and Audit Commission, exercises general oversight. It also reports on a regular basis to the Risks and Audit Commission and the Presidency of the ICRC. It is independent of the executive (Directorate).

The task of the Internal Audit Unit is to:

1. Verify that the organisation has a sound system of governance, including oversight. Assess the adequacy of the identification, control mechanisms, and management of risks.
2. Ensure the relevant ICRC standards, rules, procedures, and principles are followed. 
3. Make sure that the internal control systems work as designed. 
4. Guarantee the reliability of ICRC’s financial, control, and risk management data.

Its work, which covers the full range of ICRC activities both at headquarters and in the field, is based on methods geared to enhancing the organization's effectiveness and efficiency. In the course of its work, the Unit may also give advice and make recommendations to that end. It does this while striving to maintain a relationship of trust and transparency between internal auditors and those they audit.

The Head of the Internal Audit Unit is responsible for defining the scope of the Unit's activities, for using the tools and techniques needed to achieve its goals, for planning ahead to ensure that it has the resources it requires, for submitting an annual audit plan to the Assembly, for carrying out that plan, and for communicating the results to the appropriate bodies.

The Head of the Internal Audit Unit currently manages a team of 23 persons based in Geneva, Manila, and Nairobi.

Main duties and responsibilities (1/3)

Under section 5 of the Internal Regulations, the head of the Internal Audit Unit must supervise the Unit's work in such a way as to ensure that professional practices are fully implemented.

The head must therefore:

• Obtain reasonable assurance that effective procedures regarding governance, risk management, and internal control mechanisms are in place at the ICRC.
• Identify and study areas involving material risk for the ICRC, propose improvements when needed, and provide recommendations supporting strategic oversight and orientations.
• Comprehensively assess the effectiveness of the ICRC's risk management and its internal control system.
• Point out opportunities for improvement and propose constructive controlling measures aimed at minimizing risk.
• Ensure that the organization's resources are acquired in an economical manner, used efficiently, and adequately safeguarded.
• Examine the budgets, financial statements, and reports by the outside auditor in order to satisfy itself that the financial and operational information provided is relevant and reliable.
• Ensure that the financial and operational information arising from the ICRC's activities is communicated in an appropriate manner, both inside and outside the organization.
• See to it that the quality of the Internal Audit Unit's work is maintained and, where necessary, improved, and that the programme drawn up to achieve this is kept up to date and made known.

Main duties and responsibilities (2/3)

• Supervise the drawing up of an audit plan based on identified risks and compatible with the ICRC's aims, and ensure that it is communicated to the Assembly, Risks and Audit Committee, and Presidency.
• Verify and vouch for the qualifications and skills of the internal auditing team.
• Make certain that the Internal Audit Unit has the resources – in terms of knowledge, technical skills, and soft skills – it needs to do its job properly.
• Ensure that the assignments carried out by unit staff are fit for the purpose, supervise the planning and assessments involved, and ensure that the findings are properly communicated and adequately followed up.
• Maintain a close relationship with the external auditor and facilitate communication between the ICRC's assurance providers.

Main duties and responsibilities (3/3)

The Head of the Internal Audit also plays a supporting role:

• By providing the Directorate with advice and recommendations on the basis of the Audit's findings and ensuring recommendations are followed up by maintaining a constructive dialogue with the Director General.
• By carrying out specific assignments from the Assembly, the Risks and Audit Commission, the Assembly Council, and the Presidency, with, where necessary, the ICRC president coordinating these assignments and setting priorities.
• By thinking strategically about the implications of audit findings for the organization as a whole and drawing the attention of the governance (Assembly, Risks and Audit Committee, Presidency) to emerging and recurring risks, including early signals and trends. 
• By actively collaborating with the Risks and Audit Commission of the Assembly.

As Head of Unit, the appointee will:

• Lead and directly supervise a team of 23 persons and take charge of the unit's organization, structure, and budget.
• Ensure the smooth running of the unit by creating a constructive working environment in a climate of trust conducive to dialogue and high-quality professional relationships.
• Prepare professional development and training plans for the team members and be attentive to their future career prospects.

Reports to (role)

• Assembly (functionally) – Vice President (administratively)

Education and experience required

• University MA degree or equivalent.
• Solid, proven experience of 10+ years in internal or external auditing, risk management, governance, and compliance within comparable organizations.
• Proven high-level management experience.
• Experience in a humanitarian or non-governmental organization is an asset. Experience in dealing with cyber risks is a plus.
• Experience in applied ethics and fraud prevention.
• Solid knowledge of financial analysis.
• Certified internal auditor qualification, and experience in auditing internal control systems.

Desired profile and skills

• Ability to think strategically.
• Ability to lead and motivate a team.
• Ability to set objectives and establish priorities to achieve high organizational quality.
• Recognized skills in negotiation and managing interpersonal relations and conflicts.
• Proven ability to develop and maintain a high-quality working relationship with a wide range of contacts.
• Effective communication skills.
• Ability to analyze complex relationships in the context of the big picture.
• Command of English and French (proficiency in another language would be an asset).
• At ease in a multicultural humanitarian environment.

Additional information

• Location: Geneva
• Type of contract: Maximum-term contract
• Grade: E
• Activity rate: 100%
• Length of assignment: 4 years (renewable)
• Estimated start date: 1st April 2026
• Recruiter: Yana Makaveeva
• Application deadline: Wednesday, 21 May 2025 

Please note that this link is to be used only by ICRC staff under external contracts. Staff with ICRC contracts should use their HRSpace profile to apply.

Should you be selected for this position, a third party will conduct a background verification. Hence, you agree to this when applying for this position.
 

Our Values

At the ICRC, we value impact, collaboration, respect, and compassion. We seek candidates who demonstrate behaviors based on these shared values.

For more information on the ICRC values, please visit this