Internal Controls Analyst

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING APPLICATION DEADLINE:  please note that the deadline for applications is indicated in local time as per the time zone of the applicant’s location.

1.     Organizational Context

a.    Organizational Setting

This post is located in the Governance, Risk and Compliance (GRC) Section within the Planning, Budget and Risk Management Division, Department of Program Planning and Finance, Administration, Finance and Management Sector. The GRC Section is responsible for compliance with the WIPO regulatory framework, as well as risk management, internal controls and policy development. It also provides the Secretariat for the Program and Budget Committee (PBC).

b.    Purpose Statement

The Internal Controls Analyst provides technology reinforced compliance expertise, notably data analytics and artificial intelligence (AI), in support of the reliable operation of WIPO’s regulatory framework.   The incumbent acts as the GRC Section’s citizen data scientist, to encourage a data driven culture and works in close cooperation with the data scientists in ICTD.

The Internal Controls Analyst provides substantive input and support to the GRC processes and systems of WIPO to enable organizational assurance addressing GRC related issues and assisting the Head, GRC on related assurance opinions by independent oversight functions. The incumbent develops, monitors and reports on the internal control system, through data driven approaches and based on the COSO framework.

c.    Reporting Lines

The incumbent works under the supervision of the Head, GRC.

d.    Work Relations

The incumbent will liaise with a wide range of colleagues across the Organization, and with external parties, such as other UN organizations, and suppliers to resolve issues and follow up on GRC-related matters.

2.     Duties and Responsibilities

The incumbent will perform the following principal duties:

a.  Develop the use of data analytics including using AI to improve the effectiveness of internal controls at WIPO.

b.  Evaluate the Organization's compliance with WIPO’s regulatory Framework, undertaking a second line role to test and assess the effectiveness of internal controls on a regular basis and working with the first and third lines to mitigate financial and operational risks.

c.  Collaborate with the Enterprise Solutions Division in ICTD to leverage the analysis of ERP data for first and second line functions to help ensure compliance, streamline processes, reduce bottlenecks and identify potential fraud risks in order to provide assurance over key processes.

d.  Facilitate the annual key control assessment with control owners, and evaluate the effectiveness of key controls, record evidence of operation and identify opportunities for improvement.

e.  Prepare draft statements on internal control, underpinned by management representation letters and annual assurance summaries.

f.   Identify and recommend opportunities to improve WIPO’s internal control system, providing a consistent, comprehensive and Organization wide set of entity and process level controls recorded in an Enterprise Risk Management system.

g.  Analyze control gaps and highlight key risks, recommending actions to address deficiencies and enhance compliance.

h.  Collaborate to ensure good operation of the Organization’s delegation of authority designations system, and test for accuracy.

i.   Keep abreast of new trends in Internal Control frameworks for their adaptation to the needs of the Organization.

j.   Perform other related duties as required.

3.     Requirements

Education (Essential)

First-level university degree in business administration, public administration, management, international relations, information and communication technology, or related field.

Education (Desirable)

Certification or training in fields of governance, risk management, internal controls and/or data analytics.

Project management qualification.

Experience (Essential)

At least six years of relevant professional experience of which at least three years in the field of internal controls and data analysis.

Experience (Desirable)

Experience with data science, developing analytics dashboards or exception reports demonstrating the effectiveness of internal controls.

Experience using data analytics including using AI to improve the effectiveness of internal controls.

Experience of working with an ERP system (e.g. Oracle or PeopleSoft) within the context of results-based management, risk management, or related reporting.

Experience working in an international environment.

Language (Essential)

Excellent knowledge of spoken and written English.

Language (Desirable)

Knowledge of other official UN languages.

Job Related Competencies (Essential)

Ability to rapidly develop a good understanding of a broad range of subjects dealt with by the Organization.

Knowledge of applying risk management and/or internal controls in an international setting.

Competent user of data analytics and/or visualization solutions.

Excellent project management skills.

Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.

Excellent organizational skills with the ability to work within strict deadlines.

Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to maintain effective partnerships and working relations in a multi-cultural environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.