Head of Internal Audit

WIPO•Geneva, IL

About The Position

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.

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 (Bachelor's) plus two years of relevant professional experience in addition to the experience requested below, may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.
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.
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.

Nice To Haves

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.
Good working knowledge of French or another official United Nations language.
Familiarity with international public sector governance and intellectual property administration.

Responsibilities

Leads the development, prioritization, and implementation of the Section’s risk-based internal audit plans under the overall direction of the Director, IOD, ensuring that audit resources are aligned with areas of highest organizational risk, relevance, and strategic importance.
Provides senior-level oversight of highly complex, sensitive, and high-risk internal audits; approves engagement scopes and methodologies; ensures rigorous quality assurance of audit planning, fieldwork, evidence, analysis, and deliverables; and pre-approves all outputs before final review and approval by the Director, IOD.
Engages with senior management and key stakeholders on the adequacy and effectiveness of governance, risk management frameworks, and internal controls; identifies systemic and emerging risks; and recommends actionable preventive or corrective measures to strengthen organizational performance and accountability.
Directs 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.
Manages and supervises 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.
Leads the preparation and delivery of high-level audit reporting, presentations, and updates for the Senior Management Team, the IAOC, and Member State Representatives; provides expert analysis and recommendations on oversight matters requiring executive attention; and promotes constructive engagement with stakeholders while safeguarding the independence and objectivity of the audit function.
Represents the Section at internal committees and at inter-agency oversight networks (such as UN-RIAS) to harmonize UN audit methodologies.
Contributes to the strategic direction, planning, budgeting, performance reporting, and continuous improvement of IOD; supports the Director, IOD, in special assignments; and serves as Officer-in-Charge for the Division as required.
Perform such other related duties as assigned.