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Head of Oversight

Vacancy #:   5715
Unit:   Oversight Unit
Organisation:   International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
Location:   Headquarters, Gland, Switzerland
Reporting to:   Deputy Director General, Corporate Services
Work percentage:   100%
Grade:   M1
Expected start date:   01 October 2021
Type of contract:   Max-term (21 months)
Closing date:   15 September 2021
BACKGROUND
The Head of Oversight provides strategic and operations leadership in matters related internal audit, control, and compliance.

Internal Oversight provides independent, objective assurance that IUCN activities and operations are managed with consistency, adequacy and in compliance with applicable rules, laws and safeguarding mechanisms. They investigate issues and concerns of non-compliance. They support IUCN Secretariat in the accomplishment of its objectives by bringing a systematic, disciplined approach to evaluate and improve the effectiveness of corporate governance, compliance, and internal control.
JOB DESCRIPTION
Key responsibilities:

Establish long and short term internal oversight work plans, taking into consideration External Audit plans to ensure complementarity, as well as any suggestions received from the senior management and the Finance& Audit Committee.

Develop and maintain a quality assurance program covering all aspects of internal audit and investigation in accordance with the applicable standards.

Ensure that the required internal control policies and reporting mechanisms are in place and up-to-date, and that all reports of concerns are assessed and necessary actions taken.

Lead the planning and implementation of internal audits, including but not limited to, performance audits, financial audits, and compliance audits; monitor progress on the timely implementation of all internal audit recommendations.

Monitor the most significant control, compliance and governance risks, and develop an assurance plan for those risks through the use of internal audits, investigations and specialized reviews.

Carry out investigations or special reviews to address concerns of fraud, corporate governance, and/or violations of IUCN corporate policies; develop a reporting mechanism of key issues and oversee the timely implementation of the investigation recommendations.

Assess the reliability, effectiveness and integrity of IUCN’s internal control mechanisms and make recommendations to IUCN senior management for improvements in the internal control process, as well as in the practices, policies and systems for internal audit and investigation.

Manage and monitor IUCN email inboxes and mailboxes where internal and external stakeholders are directed to report concerns.

Build IUCN management and staff capability to manage risk and compliance through regular training and ongoing communication.

Provide advisory services for draft policies, guidance, systems and work processes related to internal control and donor requirements as requested by IUCN senior management.

Coordinate with other control and monitoring functions such as risk management, compliance, security, legal, ethics, environmental and external audit.

Submit twice yearly Oversight Report to the Director General and the Finance and Audit Committee of the IUCN Council.

Keep updated with best practices within the profession and work on Internal Oversight.

Reporting line:

To ensure the reporting independence and that the internal oversight function is free from control or undue influence from managers within the organization, the Head of Oversight has a direct reporting line to the Deputy Director General, Corporate Services and reports on work plans and findings to the Director General and the Finance and Audit Committee of the IUCN Council.
REQUIREMENTS
  • Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline (Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, etc.), ideally with an MBA.

• Certified accountant and/or internal auditor, preferably CA, ACMA, ACCA, CPA or equivalent.


• Experience:

• 15+ years of progressive experience in an internal audit, internal control or financial or oversight position in an international organisation ideally in the international development sector.


• Knowledge of Governance, Risk and Compliance frameworks and their application

• Experience in performing investigations and managing internal audits

• In depth knowledge of governance, risk management, internal control and compliance processes

• Knowledge and practical experience of business functions specifically relating to internal controls and information system audits, and internal audits covering management, legal and statutory compliance audits.

• Experience managing small teams.

• Skills:

• Strong analytical skills and advanced modelling skills are desirable.


• Computer literacy, proficiency in the use of MS Office, Microsoft Dynamics, as well as accounting and ERP systems.

• Excellent leadership to inspire and motivate others to perform with integrity and comply with applicable systems and requirements.

• Excellent written and oral communication skills, with the proven ability to present and explain complex information and suggest process improvements to diverse audiences including senior level staff and the Board of Directors.

• Ability to effectively establish and maintain working relationships with peers, senior leadership and all levels of a multicultural global organization, with a trustworthy and professional image.

• Solid organizational and problem-solving skills: the ability to be flexible and work well under pressure in a multi-tasking multicultural work environment;

• Fluency in written and spoken English, knowledge of French or Spanish is desirable.

• Highest level of integrity and honesty, and commitment to the values and mission of IUCN

• The ability to provide high level leadership and at the same time to be a self-starter and comfortable to roll their sleeves up.
APPLICATIONS

Applicants are requested to apply online through the HR Management System, by opening the vacancy announcement and pressing the "Apply" button.

Applicants will be asked to create an account and submit their profile information. Applications will not be accepted after the closing date. The vacancy closes at midnight, Swiss time (GMT+1 / GMT+2 during Daylight Saving Time, DST). Please note that only selected applicants will be personally contacted for interviews.

Other job opportunities are published in the IUCN website: https://www.iucn.org/involved/jobs/


About IUCN

IUCN is a membership Union uniquely composed of both government and civil society organisations. It provides public, private and non-governmental organisations with the knowledge and tools that enable human progress, economic development and nature conservation to take place together.

Created in 1948, IUCN is now the world’s largest and most diverse environmental network, harnessing the knowledge, resources and reach of more than 1,400 Member organisations and around 16,000 experts. It is a leading provider of conservation data, assessments and analysis. Its broad membership enables IUCN to fill the role of incubator and trusted repository of best practices, tools and international standards.

IUCN provides a neutral space in which diverse stakeholders including governments, NGOs, scientists, businesses, local communities, indigenous peoples organisations and others can work together to forge and implement solutions to environmental challenges and achieve sustainable development.

Working with many partners and supporters, IUCN implements a large and diverse portfolio of conservation projects worldwide. Combining the latest science with the traditional knowledge of local communities, these projects work to reverse habitat loss, restore ecosystems and improve people’s well-being.

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