Director, Division of Internal Oversight Services

OVERVIEW

Position Number: IOS 001

Grade: D-2

Parent Sector: Internal Oversight Service (IOS)

Duty Station: Paris

Job Family: Management/Audit/Oversight

Contract Type: Fixed Term

Duration of contract: 2 years (maximum 6 years appointment, non-renewable thereafter)

Recruitment open to: Internal and external candidates

Application deadline (Midnight Paris Time): 07/11/2026

UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

The Division of Internal Oversight Services provides the Director-General with an independent and objective assurance and advisory activity designed to add value and improve the Organization’s operations, performance and results. The incumbent reports directly to the Director-General.

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

The Director of the Division of Internal Oversight Services (IOS) assists the Organization in accomplishing its objectives by bringing a systematic and disciplined approach to evaluation, internal audit and investigation with the aim of improving organizational effectiveness as well as the effectiveness of risk management, internal control and governance.

KEY ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Specifically, with a view to assessing the organizational performance, effectiveness and integrity of UNESCO, the incumbent will be responsible for:

• Ensuring that the work of IOS conforms to generally accepted international auditing, investigation and evaluation standards and best practices, within the scope of the UNESCO Internal Oversight Mandate, and developing internal methodology, tools and techniques to ensure excellence in the conduct of the Division’s work.
• Contributing to the development of strategies for safeguarding and protecting the Organization’s interests in pursuit of its goals and objectives; assisting in discharging the Director-General’s duties, including the provision of impartial, objective and sound advice.
• Preparing an annual risk- and priority-based oversight work plan, which will deliver the services and outputs required by the UNESCO Internal Oversight Charter and the UNESCO Evaluation Policy; overseeing implementation of the work plan and ensuring outputs are within time, cost and quality standards.
• Overseeing an internal audit portfolio that focuses on key risks and opportunities to strengthen the Organization’s governance, risk management, internal controls and value-for-money, using modern internal audit practices in accordance with professional standards.
• Guiding independent evaluations in order to improve the relevance, impact, effectiveness, efficiency, sustainability, coherence and performance of UNESCO programmes and projects.
• Leading an investigation function which examines cases of alleged fraud, misconduct, malfeasance, mismanagement, waste of resources or other violations of the Organization’s code of conduct and regulatory framework.
• Keeping abreast of issues of major strategic and operational importance to the work of UNESCO and ensuring these inform the work of the service; and
• Creating a positive working environment, providing guidance to the staff of IOS and helping them to meet their full potential.

The Director IOS ensures that the endeavours of the Division to promote accountability and professionalism and to foster a culture of learning and improvement are adhered to. The incumbent submits an IOS annual report, through the Director-General, to the UNESCO governing bodies.

For further information on the specific above-mentioned programmes, candidates may consult our website: https://www.unesco.org/en, and/or the following documents: 41 C/4 (UNESCO’s Medium-Term Strategy for 2022 – 2029), 43 C/5 (Draft UNESCO’s Programme and Budget for 2026 – 2029 quadrennium).

COMPETENCIES - Core (C) & Managerial (M)

• Communication (C)
• Accountability (C)
• Innovation (C)
• Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement (C)
• Planning and organizing (C)
• Results focus (C)
• Teamwork (C)
• Professionalism (C)
• Building partnerships (M)
• Driving and managing change (M)
• Strategic thinking (M)
• Making quality decisions (M)
• Managing performance (M)
• Leading and empowering others (M)

Short Description

For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in public or business administration, evaluation, social sciences, development studies, auditing, law or a related field.
• Professional certification/certificates (e.g. CIA, CPA, CA, CFE, CISA, CGAP or similar) from an officially recognized oversight body or professional association.

WORK EXPERIENCE

• A minimum of 15 years of progressively professional relevant experience, of which preferably 7 years acquired at international level, specifically in the programmatic and operational aspects of audit work, as well as evaluation, value for money assurance and internal investigations.
• Proven track record as a senior manager in audit and/or evaluation functions within an international organization or at a national public sector-level, with a good knowledge of the latest/relevant methodologies, norms and standards, and developments in the audit, evaluation and investigation fields in the international community.
• Demonstrated leadership in professional networks such as UNEG/UNRIAS/RIAS/UNRN, IIA or national evaluation societies. 

SKILLS & COMPETENCIES

• Knowledge of, and commitment to, the Organization’s mandate, vision, strategic directions and priorities.
• High sense of professional integrity, objectivity, strong analytical capabilities, diplomacy and political astuteness.
• Strong sense of impartiality, objectivity and positive attitude towards the Organization and its goals.
• Ability to exercise intellectual authority, as well as provide and manage advisory services.
• Strategic and leadership skills in a multilateral setting with the ability to establish and maintain effective and constructive working relations in a highly political environment with people of different national and cultural backgrounds.
• Proven ability to integrate a gender perspective into tasks and activities.
• Highly developed analytical and communication skills and the ability to quickly grasp complex issues and produce solutions.

LANGUAGES

• Excellent knowledge of and drafting skills in one of the working languages (English or French) of the Organization and ability to work in the second language.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

WORK EXPERIENCE

• Experience in the United Nations system and/or other international organizations/institutions.
• Demonstrated experience of management at the international level. 

SKILLS & COMPETENCIES

• Knowledge of the Organization and its methods of work.
• Ability to identify efficiencies and address operational challenges in processes through innovative methods and solutions.

LANGUAGES

• Knowledge of other official languages of UNESCO (Arabic, Chinese, Russian or Spanish).

BENEFITS AND ENTITLEMENTS

UNESCO’s salaries consist of a basic salary and other benefits which may include if applicable: 30 days annual leave, family allowance, medical insurance, pension plan etc. 

The approximate annual starting salary for this post is US$202 761.

For full information on benefits and entitlements, please consult our Guide to Staff Benefits.

SELECTION AND HIRING PROCESS

Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application and provide complete and accurate information, by the above deadline.

To apply, please visit the UNESCO Careers website. No modifications can be made to the application once submitted. 

The process may include pre-recorded video interviews and/or written assessments, interviews with a Panel, as well as reference checks. In addition, candidates may be requested to provide additional information which may be pertinent to the position’s qualifications.  

Please note that all candidates, whether selected or not, will be informed of the outcome of their application in due course. 

Short-listed candidates may also be added to Talent Pools; subject to their consent (i.e. Data Privacy Statement).

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• UNESCO recalls that paramount consideration in the appointment of staff members shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, technical competence and integrity.
• UNESCO applies to a zero-tolerance policy against all forms of harassment.
• UNESCO is committed to achieving and sustaining equitable and diverse geographical distribution, as well as gender parity among its staff members in all categories and at all grades. Furthermore, UNESCO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Candidates from non- and under-represented Member States (last update here) are particularly welcome and strongly encouraged to apply.
• lndividuals from minority groups and indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply.
• All applications will be treated with the highest level of confidentiality.
• Geographical mobility is required for staff members appointed to UNESCO’s international posts.
• In the event that your candidature is retained for an interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. UNESCO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO. The list can be accessed through the link: https://www.whed.net
• The statutory retirement age at UNESCO is 65 years.
• UNESCO appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by the Organization, is required for International Professional positions.
• UNESCO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.