Audit Specialist - OIA

Work for the IMF. Work for the World.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is an organization of 191 countries, working to foster global monetary cooperation, secure financial stability, facilitate international trade, promote high employment and sustainable economic growth, and reduce poverty around the world. The Office of Internal Audit (OIA) is an independent assurance and advisory function designed to protect and strengthen the Fund.

The mission of OIA is to:

- bring a systematic and disciplined approach to assess and improve the effectiveness of the Fund’s governance, risk management processes, and internal controls; and,

- act as a consultant and catalyst for the improvement of the Fund’s business processes by advising on best practice and the development of cost-effective control solutions.

The Audit Specialist will be expected to actively support the planning and execution of risk-based audits and advisory engagements covering Business Process and Information Technology (IT) subject areas. He/she will be responsible for helping produce high impact, strategically relevant audit/advisory reports and will be required to brief OIA Management and client counterparts clearly and succinctly on the results. Staff in this role are also expected to bring their technical audit and thought-leadership capabilities to bear on OIA-wide activities such as the annual risk assessment and work plan formulation, refresh of the audit plan, and other important special projects and initiatives.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

• Supports the delivery of audits and/or advisory projects covering Business Process domains or IT, and leads such assignments when assigned as auditor-in-charge.

• Brings a deep understanding of risk-based audit techniques to enhance the quality and impact of audit results, including performing detailed testing and in-depth analysis of processes, controls, and underlying data.

• Applies strong analytical skills to review and interpret documentation, assess design and operating effectiveness of controls, and identify risks in a comprehensive and integrated manner.

• Demonstrates the ability to probe beyond surface-level observations by asking insightful, targeted questions to stakeholders, enabling a more complete understanding of processes and the identification of holistic risks and interdependencies.

• Demonstrates the ability to leverage emerging technologies, including Artificial Intelligence (AI) enabled tools (e.g., Copilot and intelligent agents), to enhance audit effectiveness, support data analysis, improve testing depth, and derive insights from large and complex datasets, while applying appropriate professional judgment and governance considerations.

• Demonstrates good project management skills in their work assignments and proposes solutions to increase team productivity.

• Completes engagements/assigned areas within the time and cost budgets allocated, while delivering high-quality and value-added results.

• Effectively evaluates audit/advisory results, weighing the relevance, accuracy, and perspective of conclusions against the accumulated audit evidence.

• Draws conclusions and formulates recommendations that are well-supported by detailed testing and analysis, ensuring alignment with documented findings and communicating them in a clear, concise, and constructive manner.

• Communicates audit results effectively to the client by positioning the issues in the appropriate context.

• Maintains strong working relationships with client counterparts and stays abreast of key developments in client departments, including tracking and reporting on the status of action plans to address prior audit observations.

• Collaborates effectively with the auditor-in-charge and other team members and leverages external consultants/co-source providers to derive optimal value.

• Leads and/or actively contributes to department-wide initiatives (e.g., OIA’s annual risk assessment and work program formulation exercise).

• Proactively participates in knowledge sharing and dissemination of best practices within OIA, with clients, and in external professional fora.

Minimum Qualifications and Skills

• Educational development, typically acquired by the completion of an advanced university degree, or equivalent, in business, accounting, economics, finance, information technology, law, communications, organizational development, or a related field, or a professional certification either as an Accountant (CPA or international equivalent) or as an Auditor (CIA or CISA), supplemented by a minimum of four (4) years of relevant work experience, is required. Alternatively, a minimum of two (2) years of experience in a related position at Grade A10, or equivalent, is required.

• Professional skepticism and curiosity to review business processes and identify underlying risks.

• Analytical thinking and sound judgment in evaluating complex issues and forming balanced conclusions.

• Integrity and independence in conducting work with objectivity and adherence to professional standards.

• Effective stakeholder engagement, including the ability to challenge constructively while maintaining collaborative relationships.

• Adaptability and continuous learning mindset, particularly in emerging areas such as AI, data analytics, and evolving risk landscapes.

• Diplomatic and partnership skills, with a strong team-oriented and collaborative mindset, and the ability to build, maintain, and contribute effectively to high-performing teams while fostering an inclusive and supportive working environment.

Preferred Qualifications and Experience

• At least one professional certification in internal auditing, risk management, and IT-auditing, for example, Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) or Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA), or Certified information Systems Security Professional (CISSP).

• Previous relevant work experience in the Big Four firms OR other auditing and consulting firms.

• Previous relevant work experience in other International Financial Institutions (IFIs).

• A sound understanding of audit standards, risk management methodologies, and a track record of bringing to bear such knowledge in the execution of risk-based audits.

• Prior experience with data analytics or data visualization.

• Experience with using TeamMate audit software.

This vacancy shall be filled by a 3-year Term appointment in accordance with the Fund’s new employment rules that took effect on May 1, 2015. 

A regular staff member who is selected to fill the vacancy will maintain their open-ended status. If the selected candidate is a contractual employee, they will be offered a Term staff appointment. Staff members already on a term appointment will continue their current term but may receive an extension provided that their current term appointment has not already been extended. 

Department:

OIA Office of Internal Audit

Hiring For:

A11, A12

The IMF is guided by the principle that the employment, classification, promotion, and assignment of staff shall be made without discrimination against any person. We welcome requests for reasonable accommodations for disabilities during the selection process. Information on how to request accommodations will be provided during the application process.