Director of Internal Oversight Services

Org. Setting and Reporting UNRWA, the largest United Nations operation in the Middle East with over 30,000 staff working across five areas of operation, is looking for highly committed personnel wishing to make a change. UNRWA is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions from UN member states, regional bodies, business foundations and individual contributions. The mission of UNRWA is to help Palestine refugees achieve their full potential in human development under the difficult circumstances in which they live. If you are looking for a rewarding opportunity to make a tangible difference for one of the most vulnerable communities in the world, UNRWA would like to hear from you. This is an important and transformative time to join UNRWA. The Agency is advancing a modernization agenda to become more agile, adaptable and fit for purpose, while remaining firmly grounded in and committed to its mandate. UNRWA is strengthening partnerships, embracing modern technologies, promoting environmental sustainability and climate resilience, and prioritizing inclusive programming - expanding opportunities and agency for women and girls, youth and those with disabilities - to help every Palestine refugee to live in dignity, have control over their future and realize their full potential. The Director of Internal Oversight Services reports to the Commissioner-General. Responsibilities - Sets clear work objectives for the Department of Internal Oversight Services (DIOS) and ensures timely and effective use of performance reviews and feedback mechanisms; ensures regular communications and solves interpersonal or technical conflicts; establishes and supports a learning environment to include staff development fundamentals, managerial competencies and technical expertise; ensures the Department's conformance with appropriate oversight professional standards and codes of ethics; provides leadership and technical guidance to and ensures optimal cohesion of , and synergy creation within, DIOS. - Develops, organizes and directs implementation of a long-term strategy and a risk-based internal audit and evaluation plan in line with the Agency's strategic objectives and its Strategic Plan. - Leads, supports and supervises audit investigations and evaluations, ensuring optimal relations within DIOS and between DIOS and the rest of the Agency, including with senior management and the Advisory Committee on Internal Oversight. - Directs the development of, and follow-up to high-quality reports and recommendations on internal audit and evaluations and any investigation performed; monitors the actions taken by management to implement the recommendations, and reviews and reports on the adequacy and effectiveness of implementation. - Directs the internal audit activity to add value to UNRWA by providing independent and objective assurance and advice on, and contributing to, the effectiveness and efficiency of governance, risk management and control processes. Acts as the Chief Audit Executive of UNRWA in line with the Global Standards on Internal Audit issued by the Institute of Internal Auditors. - Oversees the maintenance of UNRWA's capacity to safeguard its financial and other resources; proactively assesses fraud risk and recommends preventive measures in high-risk areas; leads the conduct of investigations into suspected accounting, financial and operational irregularities including, but not limited to: fraud and corruption; sexual exploitation and abuse; harassment including sexual harassment; abuse of authority; breach of neutrality, or failure to observe regulations, rules and other administrative issuances, policies and procedures. - Directs independent strategic evaluations throughout the organization; aligns the Agency's evaluation programme with the priorities of the Strategic Plan and the Agency's programme of work; issues normative guidelines for the conduct of programme or project evaluations for use by programmes and fields and provides technical guidance to the decentralized evaluations. - Represents UNRWA at oversight-related meetings within the UN common system, professional organizations, and host and donor country representatives; collaborates with other UN system agencies on oversight-related matters of mutual interest. - Reports regularly and as required to the Commissioner-General, the Advisory Committee on Internal Oversight (ACIO) and UNRWA's Advisory Commission on the Department's activities, including the orientation and scope of such activities; serves as the Secretariat of the ACIO, ensuring that the ACIO's functions are maximized in the Agency's interests, including through providing strategic input and guidance to its work. - Coordinates with Field and Headquarters Directors effective responses to complaints by staff, beneficiaries and other parties; implements Agency policies for the protection of whistleblowers. Competencies UN Core Values of Integrity, Professionalism and Respect for Diversity, and Core Competencies of Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results apply by default. Default managerial competencies may apply. - Formulating Strategies and Concepts - Leading and Supervising - Relating and Networking - Persuading and Influencing - Deciding and Initiating Action - Creating and Maintaining Impact and Partnership. - Managing Complexity and Change - Ability to handle complex and/or sensitive issues with diplomacy, tact and confidentially, and with sensitivity to the interests of staff members and the Agency. - Excellent writing skills. Education An advanced university (Master's or Equivalent) from an accredited educational institution in public or business administration, auditing, finance, economics, social sciences, law or other related area is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Job - Specific Qualification Professional certification/qualification in at least one of the three oversight functions of audit, evaluation or investigation (e.g. CIA, CPA, CA, CFE, CISA, CGAP, CRMA or similar) from an officially recognized oversight body or professional association is required. Work Experience At least 15 years of progressively responsible relevant combined national and international professional experience in an oversight function is required. At least eight years of relevant professional experience at supervisory level is required. Unless already serving as an international staff member in the UN Common System, at least two continuous years of relevant international experience should be outside UNRWA, and outside the country(s) of citizenship is required. Experience with risk management in large organizations is desirable. Knowledge of UN financial rules, regulations and procedures, as well as knowledge of audit, investigation and evaluation guidelines is desirable. Professional certification/qualification in at least one of the three oversight functions of audit, evaluation or investigation (e.g. CIA, CPA, CA, CFE, CISA, CGAP, CRMA or similar) from an officially recognized oversight body or professional association is required. Indicate your current involvement in any outside activities, as it is required. Including but not limited to employment, independent contractor/freelance consultant, board member (corporate, academic, etc), expert group, lobby, public speaking/writing (article, book, blog, social media etc), teaching, conferences, training, press statement, voluntary work, political activity, fundraising/donation for non-UNRWA entity, running for public office, role in political party or orgs, owning business, work for gov./NGO/private company/charity, UNRWA partner/vendor, full/part-time, paid or not. A “yes” answer doesn’t necessarily lead to exclusion from future work at UNRWA, yet misrepresentation in providing accurate/complete info can lead to disqualification/termination of appointment, if hired. Languages English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English is required. Arabic is desirable. The table below shows the minimum required level for each skill in these languages, according to the UN Language Framework (please consult https://languages.un.org for details). .headtable { font-family: arial, sans-serif; border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%; border: 1px solid gray; border-radius: 10px; overflow: hidden; } .headTitle { font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; /*color: rgb(65, 98, 145);*/ color:black; } .headtable tr td, .headtable tr th { text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; padding: 6px; } .headtable th{ background-color: #F4F4F4; color: #002d62; font-weight: bold; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; padding: 12px; border-right: 1px solid #ccc; } .headtable td { text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; background-color: white; border-top: 1px solid #ccc; border-right: 1px solid #ccc; } .headtable th:last-child, .headtable td:last-child { border-right: none; } .headtable tr:last-child td { border-bottom: none; } .rounded-table-wrapper { border-radius: 12px; border: 1px solid #ccc; overflow: hidden; } Required LanguagesLanguageReadingWritingListeningSpeakingEnglishUN Level IIIUN Level IIIUN Level IIIUN Level IIIDesirable LanguagesLanguageReadingWritingListeningSpeakingArabicUN Level IIUN Level IIUN Level IIUN Level II Assessment Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview. Special Notice Type of Contract and duration: 2 years, with the possibility of further extension up to a maximum total tenure period of six years. The incumbent will be required to travel in UNRWA’s Area of Operations in the Middle East. Only applications that have been fully completed in UNRWA's online e-recruitment system inspira will be considered and no late applications will be accepted. The Personal History Profile (PHP) should be completed with full work experience under the experience tabs as per the requirements in the Job Opening. All university degrees must also be stated, where applicable. UNRWA personnel must ensure adding their contract type and grade level. Given the large pool of applicants, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for further assessment. Providing incorrect or misleading information on an application form will result in the immediate disqualification of the candidate. Advertisements published in English will only accept applications in English, other language submissions will not be considered. UNRWA is committed to achieving gender balance in its workforce. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. UNRWA welcomes applications from qualified candidates with disabilities. A roster may be created from the selection exercise, and successful candidates may become eligible for an appointment to the same post or a similar post. The Agency disqualifies applicants whose name appears on the UN Sanctions List or a UN database of staff separated for reason of misconduct or of staff who separated while a misconduct process was pending. UNRWA shares investigation and misconduct information with other UN Agencies, and past and prospective employers about staff members who have been separated for misconduct, or who have separated while an investigation and/or disciplinary process for misconduct is underway; and those individuals may be prohibited from employment with the United Nations. NB: work experience alone or formal qualifications with no relevant work experience are not considered an acceptable combination. For more details on UNRWA, please visit: https://www.unrwa.org/United Nations United Nations Considerations Staff members are subject to the authority of the Commissioner-General of UNRWA and to assignment by him or her. UNRWA is committed to achieving gender parity at all levels of staffing under the current UN-wide gender agenda and strongly encourages applications from qualified applicants from under-represented groups. At UNRWA, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. UNRWA is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application. UNRWA Considerations UNRWA staff are expected to uphold the highest standards of efficiency, competence, neutrality, impartiality and integrity. This includes respect for and commitment to human rights, diversity and non-violent means of dealing with all kinds of conflict. Only persons who fully and unconditionally commit to these values should consider applying for UNRWA jobs. Candidates will not be considered for employment with UNRWA if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. The Agency may disqualify applicants who have separated for reason of misconduct, who left a UN Agency while misconduct processes were pending, or who appear on the UN Sanctions List. UNRWA is a non-smoking work environment. Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage. The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date. No Fee