Chief (Professional Practices), Office of Internal Audit & Investigation

ACCA Careers; New York (NY); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

UNICEF in New York is seeking a seasoned professional to lead the Quality Assurance and Improvement Programme within the Office of Internal Audit and Investigations. The role directs audit standards, methodologies, risk-based planning, and performance analytics to ensure high quality assurance across UNICEF operations.

The position requires a strong record in internal audit leadership, coupled with the ability to communicate complex findings to senior management and oversight bodies, and a

Qualifications

• Advanced degree required; Masters preferred.
• 10+ years in internal audit or related fields.
• Experience leading QAIP and audit methodologies.
• Ability to synthesize complex information for senior stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead QAIP and improve audit quality and standards.
• Strategic planning of audit universe and risk-based priorities.
• Develop KPIs and dashboards for audit performance.
• Drive digital audit initiatives and data analytics.

Skills

QAIP leadership

Risk-based planning

Audit performance & KPIs

Data analytics

TeamMate/Power BI

Executive reporting

Education

Master's degree in Business Administration or related field

Tools

TeamMate

Power BI

Job description

Job no: 595792

Contract type: Fixed Term Appointment

Duty Station: New York

Level: P-5

Location: United States

Categories: Audit and Investigation, Financial Management

UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do for as long as we are needed. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built: we offer our staff diverse opportunities for professional and personal development that will help them reinforce a sense of purpose while serving children and communities across the world. We welcome everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

For every child, the right to a Calling

How can you make a difference?

The Office of Internal Audit and Investigations (OIAI) is a key component of UNICEF’s independent internal oversight system, providing assurance and advisory services to strengthen governance, risk management, and control processes. OIAI reports functionally to the Executive Board and administratively to the Executive Director. Within OIAI, the Internal Audit Section delivers risk-based assurance and advisory services across UNICEF’s global operations. In this context, the Professional Practices function plays a critical leadership role in ensuring that the Internal Audit function is strategically aligned, high-performing, risk-informed, and continuously evolving in response to organizational priorities, emerging risks, stakeholder expectations, and the Global Internal Audit Standards. The Chief (Professional Practices) leads this function and serves as the central authority for audit quality, methodology, professional standards, risk-based planning, and performance insights across the Internal Audit Section, driving continuous improvement, innovation, and the long-term effectiveness and credibility of internal audit activities.

Under the supervision of the Deputy Director, Internal Audit, Chief (Professional Practices) is responsible for leading and governing the quality, strategic alignment, performance, and continuous transformation of the Internal Audit function. The position provides leadership over the Quality Assurance and Improvement Programme (QAIP), audit methodology and standards, risk-based planning frameworks, audit universe management, assurance mapping, audit performance measurement, and the modernization of audit practices through data, technology, and innovation.

Key Functions, Accountabilities And Related Duties/tasks

• Lead the Quality Assurance and Improvement Programme (QAIP) (25%) - Provide strategic leadership and full ownership of the Internal Audit Section’s Quality Assurance and Improvement Programme (QAIP), ensuring it covers all aspects of the audit activity and aligns with the Global Internal Audit Standards. Establish and enforce quality frameworks, methodologies, and performance criteria across all audit engagements.
• Lead audit strategy, risk-based planning, and assurance mapping (25%) - Lead the development and continuous enhancement of the audit universe, risk-based planning frameworks, and strategic audit priorities, ensuring alignment with UNICEF’s evolving risk profile, organizational transformation initiatives, and stakeholder expectations.
• Lead audit performance, analytics, and strategic insights (20%) - Establish and manage a comprehensive audit performance and analytics framework, including key performance indicators, dashboards, and data-driven monitoring of audit activities. Analyze cross cutting findings, systemic risks, trends, and emerging issues arising from audit and advisory work to generate strategic and forward-looking insights.
• Lead audit methodology, standards, innovation, and transformation (15%) - Establish, maintain, and continuously enhance audit methodologies, policies, guidance, and professional practices to ensure consistency, rigor, and alignment with professional standards and leading practices. Provide authoritative interpretation of standards and ensure their consistent application across audit units.
• Lead digital audit, tools, and knowledge management (10%) - Provide strategic direction and oversight for the governance, optimization, and use of audit management systems, data analytics, and digital tools to strengthen audit quality, efficiency, and insight generation.
• Lead capability development and continuous improvement (5%) - Oversee the development and implementation of the Internal Audit Section’s capability development and training strategy, aligned with competency frameworks, evolving audit needs, and organizational priorities.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

Education

Minimum requirements:

• An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, Economics, Information Systems, or a related field is required.

Work Experience

A minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible professional experience in internal audit, risk management, or oversight functions is required, including experience in international and/or multilateral organizations.

Skills

• Demonstrated experience in leading or managing professional practices functions, including the design and implementation of Quality Assurance and Improvement Programmes (QAIP), audit methodologies, and standards compliance is required.
• Extensive experience in risk-based audit planning, including development and maintenance of the audit universe, dynamic risk assessment, and assurance mapping is required.
• Demonstrated experience in driving audit quality and performance frameworks, including development of KPIs, audit performance monitoring, and reporting to senior management and oversight bodies is required.
• Strong experience in audit management systems and data analytics, including administration and optimization of platforms such as TeamMate and the use of tools such as Power BI or similar is required.
• Demonstrated ability to leverage technology and data analytics to enhance audit effectiveness, efficiency, and insight generation is required.
• Excellent analytical, conceptual, and communication skills, including the ability to synthesize complex information and produce clear, concise reports for senior stakeholders are required.

Language Requirements

Fluency in English is required.

Desirables

• Language: Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language.
• Professional certifications such as Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA), Chartered Accountant (CA), Certified Public Accountant (CPA), or equivalent are highly desirable.
• Demonstrated experience in planning, leading, and supervising internal audit and/or advisory engagements in complex organizational environments, including decentralized and field-based operations is highly desirable.
• Strong knowledge and practical experience of the United Nations system or comparable international organizations, including governance structures, operational models, and risk environments is highly desirable.
• Proven experience in preparing for and/or leading external quality assessments (EQA) or equivalent independent reviews, including driving implementation of recommendations and continuous improvement initiatives is highly desirable.
• Demonstrated leadership and influence at senior level, including advising executive management, engaging with oversight bodies (e.g., Audit Advisory Committees/Boards), and working across global and multidisciplinary teams is highly desirable.
• Relevant experience at country level, particularly in development, fragile settings and humanitarian contexts.