Job Description

VA ID:

2003

Grade Level:

P-5

Division:

Office of the Executive Secretary

Section:

Internal Audit and Oversight Section

Unit:

Type of Appointment:

Fixed Term Appointment

Date of Issuance:

18 April 2024

Deadline for Applications:

19 May 2024

Vacancy Reference

VA123-2003-2024

Reporting Date:

As soon as possible

Please note that all candidates should adhere to CTBTO Values of Integrity, Professionalism and Respect for Diversity.

Qualified female applicants and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

A roster of suitable candidates may be established for similar positions at the same level as a result of this selection process for a period of two (2) years.

Organizational Background

The Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization with its headquarters in Vienna, Austria is the international organization setting up the global verification system foreseen under the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT), which is the treaty banning any nuclear-weapon-test explosion or any other nuclear explosion. The Treaty provides for a global verification regime, including a network of 337 stations worldwide, a communications system, an international data centre and on-site inspections to monitor compliance.

Organizational Setting

This position is located in the the Internal Audit and Oversight Section, Office of the Executive Secretary (OES).

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision of the Executive Secretary, to:

Duties and Responsibilities

Lead, plan, and coordinate work on financial and other administrative audit assignments in accordance with the applicable Regulations, Rules and Administrative Directives and relevant and established professional standards for audit, evaluation, and oversight;
Lead complex cross-functional performance and management reviews and provide reports to the Executive Secretary which include recommendations and/or observations for organizational learning, optimization of business processes, and improved programme performance;
Establish and enforce formal guidelines, standards and methodology for internal audit activities, ensuring consistency of audit approach and adequacy of audit practice, as well as manage continuous improvement of audit processes and methodologies;
Assess the adequacy and overall effectiveness of the Organization’s internal controls and risk management, review internal control procedures and propose recommendations and professional practices to gain organizational efficiency and effectiveness benchmarking with United Nations and international organizations;
Provide substantive inputs to the Secretariat’s focal point for risk management and the established internal working mechanisms in developing, monitoring and updating the corporate risk statement, risk policies and risk registers;
Provide authoritative advice to senior management to help improve the Organization’s governance including the ethics function, risk management, quality assurance, and internal control mechanisms;
Perform in-depth analysis of business processes utilizing data analytic tools and presenting fact-based findings in a strategic understandable manner;
Prepare concise and objective audit reports; monitor the selection, presentation and implementation status of audit recommendations;
In cooperation with the Quality Management and Performance Monitoring Section, conduct evaluation of processes and activities;
Conduct preliminary assessments and investigations of allegations of harassment, discrimination and abuse of authority, fraud and other financial malfeasances and act as the focal point for the Whistleblowing Policy;
Foster and ensure an environment of independence and trust in the work of the Internal Audit and Oversight Section;
Develop and execute the annual audit plan in a timely and cost-effective manner also considering stakeholder operational requirements;
Assist other PTS counterparts with coordination and management of External Audit engagements;
Provide reporting as required to the governing and subsidiary bodies of the Commission;
Oversee the development of tools, such as dashboards and charts, enabling the Executive Secretary and other Senior Management to receive relevant and timely information about the Section’s activities and the statuses of internal audit recommendations;
Lead and provide overall strategic direction to the Section; plan and ensure the proper implementation of the Section’s activities; proactively manage and direct staff; plan and allocate work assignments; coach, mentor, and evaluate staff; participate in the recruitment of staff and in the development of staff training programmes;
Manage the Section’s financial and other resources in accordance with the Rules and Regulations of the Preparatory Commission;
Perform other duties as assigned.

Education

Advanced university degree in audit, accounting, finance, economics, public or business administration, or a related field;
Internationally recognized professional certification in auditing or accounting (e.g. Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Chartered Accountant (CA) and/or Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE)) or equivalent is required;

Work Experience and Qualifications

A minimum 10 years of progressively responsible and relevant experience in the fields of accounting and auditing, including extensive performance at the managerial/supervisory level, preferably four years of which should have been in an international environment;
Proven record of extensive practical experience in planning and conducting complex audits and thorough knowledge of international public auditing standards, methodologies, best practices and IT tools is essential;
Experience in analysis of complete sets of data to identify anomalies and trends is required;
Demonstrated ability to deal with complex issues with diplomacy, tact and excellent judgement is essential;
Strong leadership skills and demonstrated capability in managing teams in a multicultural environment is essential;
Experience in conducting investigations is an asset;

Languages

Excellent written and oral communication skills in English are essential;
Knowledge of other official CTBTO languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian and Spanish) is desirable.

Competencies

Professionalism - 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;
Communication - Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from other and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match the audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed;
Planning and organizing - Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary;
Team work - Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organisational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others' ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; builds consensus for task purpose and direction with team members; supports and acts in accordance with final group decisions, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings;
Accountability - Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honors commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable;
Creativity - Actively seeks to improve programmes or services; offers new and different options to solve problems or meet client needs; promotes and persuades others to consider new ideas; takes calculated risks on new and unusual ideas; thinks “outside the box”; takes an interest in new ideas and new ways of doing things; is not bound by current thinking or traditional approaches;
Client orientation - Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; establishes and maintains productive relationships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress and setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to clients;
Commitment to continuous learning - Keeps abreast of new developments in own occupation/profession; actively seeks to develop oneself professionally and personally; contributes to the learning of colleagues and subordinates; shows willingness to learn from others; seeks feedback to learn and improve;
Technological Awareness - Keeps abreast of available technology; understands applicability and limitations of technology to the work of the office; actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks, shows willingness to learn new technology.

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 improvement; does not accept the status quo; shows the courage to take unpopular stands.
Vision - Identifies strategic issues, opportunities and risks; clearly communicates links between the Organization’s strategy and the work unit’s goals; generates and communicates broad and compelling organizational direction, inspiring others to pursue that same direction; conveys enthusiasm about future possibilities.
Empowering Others - Delegates responsibility, clarifies expectations, and gives staff autonomy in important areas of their work; encourages others to set challenging goals; holds others accountable for achieving results related to their area of responsibility; genuinely values all staff members’ input and expertise; shows appreciation and rewards achievement and effort; involves others when making decisions that affect them.
Building Trust - Provides an environment in which others can talk and act without fear of repercussion; manages in a deliberate and predictable way; operates with transparency; has no hidden agenda; places confidence in colleagues, staff members and clients; gives proper credit to others; follows through on agreed upon actions; treats sensitive and confidential information appropriately.
Managing Performance - Delegates 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.
Judgment/Decision Making - Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly; gathers relevant information before making a decision; considers positive and negative impact on others and on the Organization; proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information; checks assumptions against facts; determines that the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision; makes tough decisions when necessary.

Remuneration

CTBTO offers an attractive compensation and benefits package in accordance with the policies of the International Civil Service Commission. For more information on UN salaries, allowances and benefits, see link: http://www.un.org/Depts/OHRM/salaries_allowances/salary.htm). The salary offered may be subject to deductions to the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund and/or Health Insurance Scheme.

Additional Information

All applications must be submitted through the CTBTO e-Recruitment system before the deadline stated in the vacancy announcement.
Incomplete applications and submission of employment history in formats other than the CTBTO Employment Information Form will not be considered
The CTBTO Preparatory Commission retains the discretion not to make any appointment to this vacancy; to make an appointment at a lower grade in particular if the candidate has less than the qualifications required; to make an appointment with a modified job description, or to offer a contract term for a shorter duration than indicated in the vacancy announcement.
Please note that the CTBTO will only consider academic credentials or degrees obtained from an educational institution recognized in the IAU/UNESCO list.
The CTBTO reserves the right to undertake correspondence only with shortlisted candidates.
Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to a reference-checking process.