Head of Internal Audit

• Head of Internal Audit (26211-FT_LT)
• Duty Station
• CH-Geneva
• Organizational Context

Internal Oversight Division, Sector of the Director General.

The IOD serves as an independent and objective reviewer of WIPO operations and activities based on risk and relevance to WIPO management and constituencies, promoting the economy, efficiency, effectiveness, and impact of the Secretariat’s work.

The Audit Section evaluates the adequacy and effectiveness of governance arrangements, internal controls, and risk management frameworks, and provides assurance, analysis, and recommendations to strengthen accountability, sound management practices, and organizational performance.

IOD reports functionally to the Independent Advisory and Oversight Committee (IAOC) and administratively to the Director General.

The office is independent of the organization’s operational, management, and decision-making functions and is impartial, objective, and free from undue influence.

Purpose Statement

The Head of the Internal Audit Section provides strategic leadership, oversight, and quality assurance for WIPO’s internal audit function in line with the Internal Oversight Charter and in conformance with the Global Internal Audit Standards.

The role leads the development and implementation of risk-based audit strategies, methodologies, and frameworks; ensures that audit activities are prioritized according to organizational risk and relevance; and supports consistent, high-quality delivery of audit work.

The position also contributes to the broader strategic management of the Internal Oversight Division through planning, budgeting, reporting, stakeholder engagement, and collaboration with UN inter-agency oversight networks to strengthen audit practices and organizational accountability.

Reporting Lines

The incumbent works under the supervision of the Director IOD and in cooperation and coordination with the Organization’s Program Managers, as appropriate.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop, prioritize, and implement the Section’s risk-based internal audit plans under the overall direction of the Director, IOD, ensuring that audit resources align with areas of highest organizational risk, relevance, and strategic importance.
• Provide senior-level oversight of highly complex, sensitive, and high-risk internal audits; approve engagement scopes and methodologies; ensure rigorous quality assurance of audit planning, fieldwork, evidence, analysis, and deliverables; and pre-approve all outputs before final review and approval by the Director, IOD.
• Engage with senior management and key stakeholders on the adequacy and effectiveness of governance, risk-management frameworks, and internal controls; identify systemic and emerging risks; and recommend actionable preventive or corrective measures to strengthen organizational performance and accountability.
• Direct the monitoring and follow-up framework for internal audit recommendations, ensuring effective tracking of implementation status, assessment of management action plans, and reporting on unresolved high-risk issues.
• Manage and supervise the work of professional and support staff within the Section, including assignment of responsibilities, establishment of performance objectives, coaching and professional development, quality control of outputs, and performance management in accordance with organizational standards and policies.
• Lead the preparation and delivery of high-level audit reporting, presentations, and updates for the Senior Management Team, the IAOC, and Member State Representatives; provide expert analysis and recommendations on oversight matters requiring executive attention; and promote constructive engagement with stakeholders while safeguarding the independence and objectivity of the audit function.
• Represent the Section at internal committees and at inter-agency oversight networks (such as UN-RIAS) to harmonize UN audit methodologies.
• Contribute to the strategic direction, planning, budgeting, performance reporting, and continuous improvement of IOD; support the Director, IOD, in special assignments; and serve as Officer-in-Charge for the Division as required.
• Perform such other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in business administration, public administration, audit, finance, accounting, or a related discipline.

A first-level university degree plus two years of relevant professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree.

• Certification as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Chartered Accountant (CA), Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE), Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) or equivalent.

Experience (Essential)

• At least ten (10) years of relevant, progressive professional experience in conducting internal audits and managing audit teams in an international environment or in the private sector.
• Proven experience in risk-based auditing methodologies and managing complex audit portfolios.
• Experience in supervising multidisciplinary teams.
• Excellent written and spoken knowledge of English.
• Good working knowledge of French or another official United Nations language.
• Job Related Competencies (Essential)
• Demonstrated ability to lead, set, and assure the quality of modern internal audit methodologies, risk-based planning approaches, and professional practices in conformance with applicable internal audit standards.
• Strong leadership skills, with demonstrated ability to direct multidisciplinary audit teams, set priorities, manage performance, develop staff capability, and foster an enabling, accountable, and results-oriented work environment.
• Excellent executive communication, presentation, negotiation, and stakeholder-management skills, including the ability to engage constructively with senior management, oversight bodies, Member State representatives, and diverse stakeholders while maintaining independence, objectivity, tact, and respect for diversity.
• High level of digital fluency, including the ability to lead the effective use of advanced digital tools, data analytics, audit management systems, automation, and emerging technologies, including Artificial Intelligence to strengthen risk assessment, audit planning, testing efficiency, evidence analysis, reporting, and oversight workflows.
• Demonstrated ability to integrate technology-related risks, digital insights, data-driven analysis, and IT control considerations into the audit universe, risk assessment, engagement planning, execution, reporting, and follow-up.
• Strong IT audit expertise, including the ability to oversee assurance over IT governance, cybersecurity, information systems controls, data protection, digital transformation risks, and technology-enabled audit approaches, and challenge management constructively on significant technology-related risks and controls.
• Demonstrated ability to translate complex audit evidence and findings into clear, concise, evidence-based, and strategically relevant reports, briefings, and recommendations that support executive decision-making and governance oversight.
• Ability to exercise sound strategic judgment, professional skepticism, independence, initiative, and discretion when addressing complex, sensitive, high-risk, or confidential matters.
• Demonstrated ability to lead a portfolio of concurrent and high-priority assignments, make defensible risk-based decisions under pressure, and balance timeliness, quality, stakeholder expectations, and institutional sensitivity.
• Job Related Competencies (Desirable)
• Familiarity with international public sector governance and intellectual property administration.
• Communicating effectively.
• Showing team spirit.
• Demonstrating integrity.
• Producing results.
• Showing service orientation.
• Seeing the big picture.
• Mobility

WIPO staff members are international civil servants subject to the authority of the Director General and may be assigned to any activity, office or duty station of the Organization.

Accordingly, the selected candidate may be required to move from time to time to new functions and/or to another duty station.

Salary and Allowances

Net annual salary: US$92,731 (pre-tax, pre-medical insurance, pre-pension).

Post adjustment: US$80,491.

Salary paid in Swiss francs at the official United Nations rate of exchange.

EEO Statement

Applications from qualified women as well as from qualified nationals of unrepresented Member States of WIPO and underrepresented geographical regions are encouraged.

Additional Information

The Organization reserves the right to make an appointment at a grade lower than that advertised.

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