Head of Internal Audit - 26211-FT_LT

Internal Oversight Division, Sector of the Director General

Contract Duration - 2 years (maximum cumulative length of 5 years) *

Duty Station: CH-Geneva

Final date to receive applications: 13-Aug-2026, 11:59:00 PM CET

This post is a limited-term fixed-term post.

The post is located in the Internal Audit Section of the Internal Oversight Division (IOD) in the Sector of the Director General. IOD serves as an independent and objective reviewer of WIPO operations and activities based on risk and relevance to WIPO management and constituencies, with a view to 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.

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.

The incumbent works under the supervision of the Director IOD, in accordance with the provisions of WIPO’s Internal Oversight Charter (rev 2024), and in cooperation and coordination with the Organization's Program Managers, as appropriate.

The incumbent will perform the following principal duties:

a. 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.

b. 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.

c. 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.

d. 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.

e. 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.

f. 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…