Call for Interest - Audit Consultants

Purpose of consultancy:

IFAD is recruiting for a roster of qualified Consultants to assist in the audit engagements for the Internal Audit section of the Office of Audit and Oversight (AUO). AUO will draw from the roster as needed to support specific short term audit assignments.
The purpose of AUO's internal auditing activity is to strengthen IFAD's ability to create, protect and sustain value by providing IFAD's governing bodies and Management with independent, risk-based and objective assurance, advice, insight and foresight. It aims to enhance IFAD's successful attainment of its objectives, its governance, risk management and control processes, its decision-making and accountability, its reputation and credibility with its stakeholders and its ability to serve the public interest.

Within the broad scope of work as outlined above, the consultant is expected to deliver relevant activities on a timely basis, reliably and accurately throughout the consultancy period. Specific deadlines, reports/deliverables will be on need basis and communicated accordingly. Consultants will be remunerated daily, per assignment.
During the term of this consultancy, incumbent will be expected to perform the following activities:
Assigned audit work

Audit planning will be performed at Headquarters, as appropriate, and approved by AUO Management. Audit field work will be conducted at IFAD field offices (e.g., Country and Regional Offices), Headquarters, and/or remotely. Assignments may cover the full range of AUO internal audit engagements, including audits of IFAD Country Offices, Headquarters divisions and business processes, and IFAD's Supervision activities of Country Programme implementation. AUO seeks consultants based across all regions of operation; assignments will where possible be allocated to consultants in or near the relevant duty station and/or audited activity, in order to reduce travel costs and mobilisation time.
Methodology

AUO's internal auditing activities shall be carried out in adherence to the mandatory elements of the International Professional Practices Framework for internal auditing promulgated by the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA). These comprise the Global Internal Audit Standards (incorporating principles and standards on ethics and professionalism) and the topical requirements for specific audit engagements.

Audit phases will include:
Engagement planning phase

• Obtain and analyze information on the audited business unit.
• Develop a risk-based audit engagement plan

Engagement fieldwork phase

• Build, document, and analyze evidence related to each of the risk areas identified in the planning phase and included within the scope of the audit.
• Document work performed for each of the areas within the audit scope.
• Formulate value added and implementable recommendations addressing the root cause of audit findings.
• Review work-papers for completeness and accuracy.
• Obtain Country Office or HQ or Regional Office Management and staff acceptance of audit findings and recommendations.
• Schedule, conduct, and document an exit meeting.
• Prepare and present a draft report summarizing audit findings and recommendations.

Engagement reporting phase

• Coordinate the receipt of comments to report findings and recommendations from Country Office and/or HQ and Regional Office Management.
• Prepare and present the final internal audit report.

Deliverables:
Under the overall supervision of the designated engagement Team Leader and the Head, Internal Audit, the consultant will be responsible for:Collecting and analyzing relevant information related to each of the assigned components and areas, in accordance with the engagement audit plan and programs, considering the nature and relevance of the risk factors identified.

• Documenting work performed, audit findings and conclusions for each of the assigned components and areas.
• For each finding identified, assessing and documenting: (i) the nature of the issue (condition); (ii) the applicable audit criteria; (iii) the root cause of the issue; and (iv) the issue's effect.
• Formulating value added and implementable recommendations addressing the root cause of the audit findings.
• Validating audit findings and recommendations with Country Office or HQ or Regional Office Management ahead of the exit meeting.
• Preparing sections of the draft report for each of the assigned components and areas, summarizing the audit findings and related recommendations.
• Participating in the discussion and presentation of audit findings and recommendations with Country Office or HQ or Regional Office Management at exit meetings.

• All the deliverables should be written in English.

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The auditor shall provide AUO with appropriately completed audit work-papers for all work performed and shall make themselves available to respond to queries by the engagement Team Leader and the Head, Internal Audit on the resultant draft report, as necessary.

Independence and conflict of interest:

Consultants shall be independent of the activities audited and free from any conflict of interest, whether actual, potential or perceived. Candidates will be required to sign a declaration of independence and conflict of interest upon inclusion in the roster, and to re-confirm it at the start of each assignment, disclosing any current or previous involvement with IFAD-supervised operations, implementing agencies, government units or projects falling within the scope of the engagement. Consultants will not be assigned to engagements where such a conflict exists or could reasonably be perceived to exist.

Expected Travel: As Needed

Required Expertise and Qualifications:

Education:

• An advanced university degree in accounting, auditing, finance, business administration, IT, commerce, or any other business-related field is required.
• A first-level university degree may be accepted combined with additional relevant experience.
• Professional accounting or auditing related designation (ACCA, CA, CPA, CIA, CISA, or internationally recognized national equivalent) is desirable. Active pursuit of such a designation, or an equivalent combination of qualifications and relevant professional experience, will also be considered. Additional certifications would be considered an asset.

Knowledge and Experience:

• At least 2 years professional experience in internal audit or related areas. Experience in an international audit/consulting firms is desirable.Solid understanding of internal auditing standards and practices, risk assessment methodologies, audit tools and techniques, and internal controls.
• Experience in auditing or supervising donor- or IFI-financed operations, including loan and grant agreements and government-executed projects, is highly desirable.
• Experience in advising or auditing Non-Sovereign Private Sector Operations within IFI or MDB, is a strong asset.
• Experience in public procurement audit or supervision is an asset.
• Candidates are invited to declare any specialist areas of expertise, which will be used to match consultants to assignment requirements: public procurement, financial management,
• Monitoring and evaluation, Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) and Sustainability, IT and cybersecurity audit and other relevant areas.
• A valid UN SSAFE (Safe and Secure Approaches in Field Environments) certificate is an asset; candidates holding one should indicate the date of completion.
• Proficiency in AI-enabled tools such as developing agents, data analytics, visualization, and spreadsheet tools, experience with ERP systems is desirable.
• Demonstrated critical thinking, integrity, adaptability, initiative, and capacity for effective stakeholder engagement.

Languages:

• Fluency in English required, with proven ability to express well verbally and in writing.

• Working proficiency in one or more additional languages is desirable and should be declared in the application, such as: French, Spanish, Arabic, Portuguese, Russian, Chinese.

Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.