Principal Auditor/Audit Manager (Chief of the Assurance Audit Unit)

Grade: P5

Vacancy no.: RBC/P/IAO/2026/5
Publication date: 12 May 2026
Application deadline (midnight Geneva time): 15 June 2026

Job ID: 13646
Department: IAO
Organization Unit: IAO
Location: Geneva
Contract type: Fixed Term

The following are eligible to apply:

• ILO Internal candidates in accordance with paragraphs 31 and 32 of Annex I of the ILO Staff Regulations.
• External candidates.

Applications from candidates who have already separated from ILO service upon retirement or early retirement, will not be considered.

The ILO values diversity among its staff and welcomes applications from qualified female candidates. We also encourage applicants with disabilities. If you are unable to complete our online application form due to a disability, please send an email to ilojobs@ilo.org.

The ILO welcomes applicants with experience in working within ILO constituents (governments, employers’ and business membership organizations, and workers’ organizations).

Applicants from non- or under-represented member States, or from those member States which staffing forecasts indicate will become non- or under-represented in the near future would be particularly welcome. A list of these countries can be found here: ILO Jobs: Non- and under-represented Member States

In addition to the interviews and tests that any candidate may be required to take, successful completion of the ILO Assessment Centre is required for all external candidates and any internal candidate applying to a higher category.

Notwithstanding the general considerations set out in the ILO Staff Regulations, this vacancy announcement is the only authoritative document pertaining to the qualifications required for this position. The minimum required qualifications were determined in view of the specific duties and responsibilities of this position.

The specific language requirements for this position are detailed hereunder. However, external candidates applying for the professional category vacancies and whose mother tongue is not one of the working languages of the Office (English, French and Spanish), shall be required to possess a fully satisfactory working knowledge of at least one of the ILO working languages. If appointed, they will be expected to acquire a knowledge of a second working language of the Office during their initial years of service.

Recruitment for this vacancy is subject to the availability of funding.

Introduction

The position is located in Assurance Audit Unit of the Office of Internal Audit and Oversight (IAO) of the International Labour Organization (ILO). The IAO provides an oversight function covering all systems, processes, programmes and activities within the ILO. The principal objective of IAO is to add value to the ILO and assist the Director-General in the effective management of programmes and activities to ensure efficiency, effectiveness, economy, accountability and transparency.

The Audit Manager is responsible for planning and delivering internal audit activities, and managing staff of the Assurance Audit Unit. This role involves evaluating and improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the ILO’s systems of governance, risk management and internal controls. The Audit Manager is therefore responsible for providing assurance on the adequacy and effectiveness of the ILO’s system of governance, risk management, internal controls, financial management, and use of assets.

The position reports to the Chief Internal Auditor, Director of the IAO.

Specific Duties

1. Manage the operations and resources of the Assurance Audit Unit. Plan, establish procedures, direct and coordinate internal audit activities. Lead and mentor a team of senior internal auditors, providing guidance and support. Ensure audit assignments are conducted in accordance with the Institute of Internal Auditors Professional Practices Framework, and/or other relevant industry standards as appropriate.
2. Prepare and propose Programme and Budget proposals for the Unit.
3. Identify and assess key risks facing the ILO on an annual basis, liaising with management as necessary. On the basis of the results of the risk assessment, taking into account organizational priorities, develop a comprehensive risk-based plan for submission to the Chief Internal Auditor, Director of the IAO.
4. Formulate, maintain and implement policies, processes on audit.
5. Execute and manage internal audit assignments to evaluate the effectiveness of governance, risk management, internal controls, including compliance with established regulations, rules, and procedures, including value for money and other types of audits.
6. As directed by the Chief Internal Auditor, draft terms of reference for third party consulting firms to undertake audit related activities in support of IAO’s risk-based audit plan and/or delivery of IAO’s vision and mission.
7. Liaise with contracted third parties and oversee their assignments. Conduct quality control of their outputs prior to submission to the Chief Internal Audit, Director of IAO for their review.
8. Review working papers and draft reports for each audit assignment undertaken by a senior internal auditor, ensuring draft reports are clear and concise, highlighting findings, recommendations and including management’s response.
9. As necessary, draft internal audit reports for submission to the Chief Internal Auditor, Director of IAO. The reports mush be clear and concise, highlighting findings and recommendations, including comments from management as appropriate.
10. Draft the annual report of the Chief Internal Auditor to Governing Body.
11. As directed by the Chief Internal Auditor, Director of IAO, communicate audit findings or other matters relating to audit orally and/or in writing to senior management or other key stakeholders.
12. Represent the Office at inter-agency forums and participate in senior management meetings on issues related to audit.
13. Stay abreast of industry trends, emerging risks and best practices to enhance audit methodologies. Identify opportunities for process improvements within the internal audit function.
14. Stay current with advancements in audit technology and recommend tools for the internal audit function. Leverage technology and data analytics tools to enhance audit efficiency and effectiveness.
15. Perform other relevant duties as assigned.

Required qualifications

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in auditing, accounting, finance, or other relevant field. A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) in one of the afore-mentioned fields or other relevant field with an additional two years of relevant experience in addition to the experience stated below will be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Certification as a Chartered Accountant, and/or Certified Public Accountant, Certified Internal Auditor or Certified Information Systems Auditor would be an advantage.

Experience

At least ten years of progressive experience in managing, leading and conducting audits, including at the international level. At least five years of experience managing a team of auditors. Prior experience in the UN system would be an asset.

Languages

Excellent command of one working language (English, French or Spanish) of the Organization with a high level of communication skills and strong drafting skills. Working knowledge of a second working language. One of these languages must be English. Working knowledge of a third working language would be an asset.

Competencies

In addition to the ILO core competencies, this position requires:

Thorough knowledge of and effective skills in audit methodology and techniques. Thorough knowledge of risk assessment in highly digitalized environment. Excellent management and organizational skills. Ability to work effectively in a small team environment. Excellent communication skills (spoken, written, facilitation and presentational) to prepare and present audit related reports/findings effectively and clearly. Excellent interpersonal and diplomatic skills with strong client orientation. Cross-cultural sensitivity and ability to work effectively in a team both as a leader and as a participant. Ability to meet tight deadlines. Must be digitally literate. Ability to work in a multicultural environment and to demonstrate gender-sensitive and non-discriminatory behaviour and attitudes.

Conditions of employment

• Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to ILO Staff Regulations and other relevant internal rules. Any offer of employment with the ILO is conditional upon certification by the ILO Medical Adviser that the person concerned is medically fit to perform the specific inherent requirements of the position offered. In order to confirm an offer from the ILO the successful candidate will be required to undergo a medical examination.
• The first contract will be issued for a twenty-four month period.
• A successful external candidate will be on probation for the first two years of assignment.
• Any extension of contract beyond the probation period is subject to satisfactory conduct and performance.

For more information on conditions of employment, please visit the ILO Jobs International Recruitment page.

Important Information

Any officials of the General Service category interested in applying to this position are hereby informed that, if selected, they will be offered the salary and allowances applicable to the grade of the position applied for, which may result in substantial changes in their take-home remuneration. In accordance with Article 3.4 of the Staff Regulations, the salary of an official, upon promotion, shall in no case be greater than the maximum salary of the grade to which he or she was promoted. For any questions or clarifications, please contact your HR partner at hrpartner@ilo.org

Recruitment process

Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application form. To apply, please visit the ILO Jobs website. The system provides instructions for online application procedures.

Evaluation (which may include one or several written tests and a pre-interview competency-based assessment centre) and the interviews will tentatively take place during the 3 to 4 months following the application deadline. Candidates are requested to ensure their availability should they be short listed for further consideration.

Depending on the location and availability of candidates, assessors and interview panel members, the ILO may use communication technologies such as Video or teleconference, e-mail, etc. for the assessment and evaluation of candidates at the different stages of the recruitment process, including assessment centres, technical tests or interviews.

The ILO has zero tolerance for acts of sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) and is determined to ensure that all staff members and all beneficiaries of ILO assistance do not suffer, directly or indirectly, from sexual exploitation and abuse.
To ensure that individuals with a substantiated history of SEA, sexual harassment or other types of abusive conduct are not hired by the Organisation, the ILO may conduct a background verification of candidates under consideration.

Fraud warning

The ILO does not charge any fee at any stage of the recruitment process whether at the application, interview, processing or training stage. Messages originating from a non ILO e-mail account - @ilo.org - should be disregarded. In addition, the ILO does not require or need to know any information relating to the bank account details of applicants.