UNICEF, UNDP & UNHCR Grant Auditor

Our partner, sector specialists in International Grant Audit are seeking auditors for a critical role; navigating a diverse group of NGOs & donors, such as the UN & The World Bank operating globally (Malawi, Peru, Vietnam, Belgium, Oxford, Sierra Leone, Brazil, Fiji, Cameroon). You will be London-based, travelling post pandemic 25-40% per annum on assignments 1 to 2 weeks in length in small teams.

These unique and extremely rewarding opportunities would suit experienced audit professionals that love diverse travel and supporting inspiring people and worthwhile causes. Overseas assignments post pandemic could mean travel to one of over 100 countries/territories. It presents a fantastic opportunity to see parts of the world you’d never otherwise get to see, work with lovely people and gain extremely relevant institutional donor and fieldwork experience; vital for anyone seeking a career in the international development NGO sector.

Role overview

You will complete expenditure audits of an extremely diverse range of projects funded by international donor institutions ranging from emergency aid to long-term development in areas such as agriculture, health or infrastructure, to more commercial projects such as SME development or technical research. Additionally, depending on your seniority, you will provide on-the-job training and guidance to more junior team members throughout the assignment process.

The role will use all your communication, problem-solving and analytical skills and will give you experience in working with major institutions all over the world. An example assignment might see you leading an audit opening meeting with a UN country office on the Monday morning, before heading off to spend a few days with a local NGO or government partners to audit the way they have spent UN funds. You will look at a sample of supporting documents to ensure the expenditure is genuine and for the purposes intended by UN, and review the internal controls of the NGO, making recommendations as to how these might be improved to strengthen the management of the UN resources. At the end of the fieldwork, you will draft an aide-memoire document and discuss your findings with both the UN and its local partner. At the airport, you could even start drafting the formal report as you wait for your flight back to London.

Requirements

• Qualified ACA / ACCA or equivalent (Finalists considered)
• Experience, insight &/or exposure to grant funding, reporting or audit.
• Diplomacy and cultural sensitivity while working with a hugely diverse range of clients and beneficiaries.
• A real interest in international development and associated funding structures.
• Ideally, fluency in a second language is preferable, especially in French, Spanish, Russian, German, Portuguese, Italian or Mandarin and Arabic.
• Excellent communication, report writing and presentation skills.
• Team worker.
• Resilience and adaptability.
• Internationally recognised audit qualification preferable.
• At least two-three years of audit experience.
• Ability to work under pressure; strong planning, organisational and time management skills.
• Sound technical and analytical skills, report writing and presentation skills.
• Passionate about international travel and development and willing to work in international locations for 30% plus of the time (post pandemic).
• Candidates for permanent London-based roles must have the right to work in the UK.