Director, Office of Internal Audit and Investigations (OIAI) - D-2, Fixed Term, NYHQ, USA

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfil their potential.  

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.   

And we never give up.  

For every child, commitment. 

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programs, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favoritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life — in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions — her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfill their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations.

Strategic office context:

The post leads and manages the Office of Internal Audit and Investigations (OIAI), which is a key component of UNICEF's independent internal oversight system. OIAI reports to the Executive Director, and to the Executive Board independently, on its findings. OIAI’s primary purpose is to provide independent, objective assurance and investigation services that support transparency, accountability, and sound risk management across the organization. OIAI conducts internal audits, and conducts or supervises investigations into allegations of fraud, corruption, sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment, abuse of authority and other forms of misconduct. The Office exercises operational independence in the performance of its duties.

OIAI's Director reports to the Executive Director and is appointed for a term of five years, renewable once for an additional maximum of five years, subject to organizational needs and satisfactory performance.  He/she is barred from re-entry into UNICEF after the expiry of his/her term.

This position is available from June/July 2026. 

Purpose for the role:

The Director is expected to serve as a strategic and trusted advisor to senior leadership, with a focus on helping the organization strengthen and maintain systems of governance, accountability, risk management and integrity and ensuring that UNICEF’s resources are used efficiently and for the purposes intended.

The Director is accountable for directing the development and execution of a risk-based annual work plan, ensuring audit and investigation activities are timely, effective, and aligned with international standards. The role oversees the delivery of audit and investigation reports to senior leadership, and the Executive Board, and ensures appropriate follow-up on recommendations. It is also responsible for maintaining coordination with the Audit Advisory Committee, as well as external oversight bodies, safeguarding the integrity of reporting channels for alleged misconduct, and supervising investigations in line with internal directives and global guidelines. A key part of the role is to uphold the independence and quality of OIAI’s work, maintain a highly qualified team, and keep stakeholders informed of evolving trends and risks relevant to UNICEF’s operations.

How can you make a difference? 

The Director’s key functions and accountabilities include:  

Strategic Leadership & Advisory Function

1. Provide the Executive Director and senior management with independent and expert insights into assurance and integrity, governance reform, enterprise risk management, organizational transformation and change management.
2. Provide thought leadership to the Executive Director, Senior Management Team, and governing bodies on improving UNICEF systems of governance, risk management and internal control.
3. Maintain the functional independence and autonomy of the Internal Audit and Investigations Office in both design and practice.
4. Provide an ‘annual opinion’ to the Executive Board as per their directives, and ensuring compliance with UNICEF’s regulatory and E