Director, Division of Internal Oversight Services
at UNESCO, Paris, France
- Contract
- D-2
- Closing date
- 24 November 2026
- Listed
- 7 October 2026, from UNESCO
The advert
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, ProfessionalismORGANIZATIONAL 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:Long Description 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. Long Description 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.Long Description 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) Te