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.

a. Organizational Setting

b. Purpose Statement

c. Reporting Lines

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 attention; and promotes constructive engagement with stakeholders while safeguarding the independence and objectivity of the audit function.

g. Represents the Section at internal committees and at inter-agency oversight networks (such as UN-RIAS) to harmonize UN audit methodologies.

h. 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.

i. Perform such other related duties as assigned.

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.

Certification as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Chartered Accountant (CA), Certified Internal…