United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) · 4 hours ago
Internal Controls Specialist, Quality Management Unit (QMU), Division for Management Services (DMS), New York, P-4
New York, United States
Full-time
Onsite
Senior Level
7+ years expThe United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is the lead United Nations agency focused on ensuring every pregnancy is intended and childbirth is safe. The Internal Controls Specialist will be responsible for assessing, developing, implementing, and monitoring internal control policies and systems to enhance operational efficiency and compliance with regulatory frameworks.
CommunitiesHealth Care
Responsibilities
Keep updated, fit for purpose policies, guidance and tools for the Internal Control Framework, system access and segregation of duties controls, Anti-Fraud, and other related policies
Monitor and assess the usability and effectiveness of policies and systems and oversee timely improvements
Guide policy owners on the design of effective, risk-based and necessary internal controls in policies and ensure solid risk control matrices that document first and second line controls in response to clearly identified, relevant risks
Ensure controls are properly integrated into ERP and other systems
Contribute to the development and implementation of transaction monitoring tools (e.g. GRC risk cloud)
Test and monitor key controls and processes to assess their effectiveness and identify gaps and redundancies
Prepare clear reports on control testing results, deficiencies, redundancies and recommendations for improvements to relevant process owners, management and committees
Develop and maintain a corporate controls register ensuring it is up-to-date and accurately reflects the control environment. Coordinate integration of control registers with the broader ERM processes to create a coherent organisational risk control matrix
Lead the preparation of statements of internal control by drafting risk control matrices for key business processes, guiding and coordinating process owners. Take responsibility for updating statement text and questionnaires as this work evolves
Regularly assess fraud risks at all levels, including as part of ERM processes or project level risk assessments
Work closely with relevant business units at global, regional and country levels to ensure identified fraud risks are adequately mitigated by effective controls
Prepare and present clear reports on fraud risk mitigation to relevant stakeholders, senior management and committees
Support process owners in streamlining processes, optimising controls, and exploiting opportunities for enhanced process and control efficiency
Support process owners in the development of corrective action plans for control optimisation and identified fraud risks
Develop and deliver training to all staff on internal control and fraud risk requirements, policies, and best practices
Support offices in minimising and managing any segregation of duties conflicts in user roles and process exceptions requested based on valid justification and sufficient mitigating controls to balance business requirements and underlying risks, especially in small offices
Serve as a primary focal point on internal controls for internal and external audits, facilitating requests and coordinating responses
Coordinate and support actions to comply with related audit findings and actions to achieve timely compliance
Review IP fraud investigation reports and guide the implementation of mitigating and preventive controls
Qualification
Required
Advanced university degree in public or business administration, risk management, finance or accounting, or related field
A Bachelor's degree with suitable professional accreditation e.g. CPA, ACA would be considered equivalent
At least 7 years progressively responsible experience in internal controls, risk management, financial management, internal audit, including at least 5 years at international level and in the management of complex organisation(s)
Proven experience with internal control frameworks (e.g. COSO), design, documentation, testing and assessment of risk-based controls
Advanced knowledge of ERP systems (e.g. Oracle), data analytics tools and segregation of duties
Advanced knowledge of UN regulatory frameworks, operational realities and risks
Solid understanding and commitment to the UN and the UNFPA mandate
Ability to analyse complex processes, identify risks and assess control effectiveness
Ability to write user-friendly policies and guidance, and impactful presentations
Ability to conceptualise, plan, implement and drive multiple initiatives and work independently
Ability to lead collaboratively and convincingly across teams and functions
Excellent written and oral communication skills and ability to explain and present complex technical issues to non-technical audiences
Demonstrated ability to work in a multicultural environment and establish harmonious and effective relationships both within and outside the organization
Fluency in English is required
Preferred
Professional certifications (e.g., CIA, CRMA, CFE) desirable
Knowledge of other official UN languages is desirable
Benefits
Health insurance
Company
United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)
UNFPA is the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency.
1001-5000 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageLeadership Team
Abolade Sobola MSc., FCCA, ACA, CPFA
ACCOUNTS SPECIALIST
Arasu J.
Senior Programme Specialist - South South Cooperation/Partnerships
Recent News
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2025-12-02
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