Database Associate - (Audit Recommendation Tracking Tool)

Mission and objectives

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the knowledge frontier organization for sustainable development in the UN Development System and serves as the integrator for collective action to realize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and planet. The Fiji multi-country office covers ten countries including Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu as well as provides support to regional initiatives. This position is located at the UNDP Pacific sub-office in Pohnpei State in the Federated States of Micronesia which was established in October 2021. This office is set up to serve the Federated States of Micronesia, Kiribati, Nauru, Palau and the Republic of the Marshall Islands. The office will work closely with the UNDP Pacific office in Fiji to deliver the UNDP multi-country programme document (MCPD, 2023-2027) in these five countries. UNDP in the Pacific has developed its multi-country programme document (MCPD, 2023-2027) to guide its interventions in the next five years in full alignment and directly to contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF, 2023–27). The Office covers 10 countries in the Pacific with an extensive portfolio which has grown over time. The UNSDCF and UNDP MCPD are designed in full alignment with the 2030 agenda, Samoa Pathway, and 2050 Blue Content Strategy, which is endorsed by the Pacific Island Countries (PICs) among others. The UNDP Pacific Office next five-year plan strategic priorities are encapsulated under three outcome areas: (i) Planet, (ii) Prosperity, and (iii) Peace. Following a strategic review process which was completed in June 2022, UNDP Pacific office structure is aligned to the emerging priorities of the office. In this regard, the programme portfolio will include mutually reinforcing work streams crafted around two clusters (i) Resilience and Climate Change; and ii) Inclusive growth and Effective governance, supported by a policy and innovation team, Operations team, Management and Oversight team that provides strategic guidance on results Management and compliance entrusted with the corporate alignment, programme finance management and quality assurance, and strategic communications team that provides knowledge management and communication support to all programme interventions. In Palau, UNDP’s support contributes to planet, prosperity and peace outcomes through efforts focused at enhancing policy, institutional and local/community levels.

Context

UNDP is supporting Supreme Audit Institutions (SAIs) to strengthen audit follow-up and public accountability through the Audit Recommendation Tracking Tool. The tool supports systematic upload and management of audit recommendations and enables reporting for internal SAI management and external oversight stakeholders. The purpose of this volunteer assignment is to work with an assigned SAI to ensure the Audit Recommendation Tracking Tool database is complete, accurate, and up to date for audits conducted from 2022 onwards, including follow-up tracking and report generation.

Task Description

Under the direct supervision of the designated SAI focal point and in close coordination with UNDP, the Volunteer will: Audit Report Upload and Database Population

• Upload all relevant audit reports and supporting documents for audits conducted from 2022 onwards.
• Populate the Audit Recommendation Tracking Tool database following agreed naming conventions and filing structures.
• Ensure complete and accurate data entry for each audit record.
• Verify findings and recommendations extracted by the tool. Data Verification, Cleaning and Quality Assurance
• Verify recommendations and extracted data against source audit reports.
• Identify and document extraction errors, missing information, duplication, and formatting issues.
• Correct and clean data within the tool.
• Maintain a comprehensive data verification log. Updating Follow-Up Records and Evidence
• Compile available follow-up records held by the SAI.
• Update recommendation implementation status and supporting evidence.
• Record follow-up dates and summaries of auditee responses. Follow-Up Communication Support
• Prepare follow-up letters or email tracking lists for audited entities.
• Maintain a tracker of communications, responses, and next actions.
• Ensure follow-up requests clearly outline recommendations, deadlines, and required supporting information. Tracking and Updating Responses
• Monitor follow-up responses received from auditees.
• Enter updates and supporting documentation into the tool.
• Flag overdue responses and recurring issues for escalation. Reporting and Validation
• Generate audit and auditee-level reports.
• Validate report accuracy and completeness.
• Document reporting issues and recommend improvements. Continuous Improvement
• Identify recurring data issues, usability concerns, workflow constraints, and training needs.
• Provide recommendations to improve tool functionality and user adoption. Report Review
• Review and edit generated reports in consultation with the SAI.
• Adjust report content and format according to stakeholder requirements. Ad Hoc Support
• Provide general support related to event management, translation, outreach, and other activities connected to implementation of the tool.

Competencies and values

• Accountability
• Adaptability and flexibility
• Judgement and decision-making
• Planning and organizing
• Professionalism
• Self-management
• Integrity
• Attention to detail
• Communication

Living conditions and remarks

The duty station is Koror, the capital city of Palau. As a local volunteer, the candidate is expected to be familiar with the city’s environment, culture, and infrastructure. The office is accessible by public and private transport, and utilities such as electricity, water, and internet are generally reliable. Local medical facilities, banking services, and food markets are available within the city. Volunteers are expected to observe local customs, including conservative dress codes in professional settings.