Head of Internal Audit recruitment

ROLE OF THE INTERNAL AUDIT UNIT OF THE DIRECTOR GENERAL

The office of the Director General consists of the Private Office of the Director General, Legal Counsel, Communication Adviser and Internal Audit. The Private Office, the Legal Counsel and the Communication Adviser shall provide support and advice to the Director General in the execution of his duties towards the Organisation and in the management of the Agency. The Internal Audit shall be responsible for providing an objective and independent appraisal and consultancy function for the Agency.

The Head of Internal Audit reports directly to the Director General and manages the Internal Audit Unit. The Internal Audit Unit is responsible to the Director General for analysing, assessing and proposing improvements to the internal control systems established to ensure the orderly and efficient performance of the Organisation's tasks, ensuring compliance with regulations / management policies, safeguarding the Agency's assets and ensuring the completeness and accuracy of records and reporting. The scope of responsibilities of the Head of Internal Audit encompasses the internal audit of the Agency, the Pension Fund (currently valued at € 600 M) and the Route Charges System.

The Head of Internal Audit is assisted by a team of up to 5 professional auditors and a secretary. The objectives of the Internal Audit Unit (which is independent of the audited activities) are:

• to provide an objective and independent appraisal and consultancy function;

• to recommend to management an effective system of internal controls designed to help meet the Agency's objectives; and

• to assist the Agency in improving the effectiveness of its Risk Management.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

The successful candidate will manage the Internal Audit Unit and plan and manage its staff and activities. More particularly, the jobholder will be called upon to:

• manage the audit team by recruiting suitably qualified staff, ensuring adequate coaching and by planning its work;

• build and maintain the required expertise on auditing techniques and make this available to the staff of the Office;

• establish, in agreement with the Director General, an annual work plan based on risks;

• collaborate closely with the Agency's Directors to identify these possible risk areas;

• monitor developments in the work environment and act, as necessary, where the Agency's interests are threatened or can be advanced;

• approve and issue reports, letters to management and recommendations on the basis of the Internal Audit Unit's investigations and studies;

• conduct personally special reports at the request of the Director General or the Provisional Council.

REQUIRED PROFILE

Master degree or equivalent university degree in the field of business or economic studies, or an appropriate professional accountancy qualification, or relevant equivalent experience. An International Internal Audit qualification (Certified Internal Auditor) would be an advantage.

• Extensive relevant professional experience including internal auditing and application of modern management methods applied in the private and public sectors.

• Knowledge of management organizations tools such as, Business Plan, work programme and performance assessment.

• Knowledge of the professional accounting regulations/standards such as IFRS, accounting practices and the ability to apply them to complex audit and accounting issues.

• Knowledge of the development and implementation of cost determination methodologies.

• Extensive experience of the organisation of civil aviation in Europe and the working practices and decision making process in international organisations would be an advantage. The successful candidate will preferably have a detailed knowledge of European institutions and a firm understanding of their relationship with ATM.

• Extensive experience of the financial and contractual aspects applicable in European programs and projects.

• Knowledge of Air Traffic Management (ATM). An extensive management experience in a European Air Navigation Service Provider Organisation/Company would be a significant advantage

• Extensive experience at senior management level with a track record of strong leadership, preferably in an international context.

• Ability to implement changes and to provide strategic vision.

• Ability to coordinate positions and, if necessary, reconcile differing views and develop these into a coherent policy. Experience as member of international boards or committees would be an advantage.

• Strong communication (oral / written) and interpersonal skills.

• Agency staff must be able to work in a multinational and multicultural environment.

• The working languages of the Agency are English and French. For this particular post, candidates need to have an excellent knowledge of English and a working knowledge of French. Knowledge of any other language would be an advantage.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

An initial selection will be made by a Selection Board on the basis of the candidates' qualifications and experience. Thereafter, those candidates considered suitable may be invited for assessment and interviews.

• Applications will be accepted from nationals of EUROCONTROL Member States only. Agency staff subject to the Staff Regulations governing officials, the General Conditions of Employment governing servants at the Maastricht Upper Area Control Centre, or the Conditions of Employment of Contract Staff are considered internal candidates. At the closing date of the notice of competition, internal candidates must have completed their probationary period.

• This post is governed by the terms of the Financial Regulations, which state that the Head of Internal Audit will report directly to the Director General. He/she will be appointed by the Director General after approval by the Organisation's governing body for a period of 5 years, which is renewable once (which implies a maximum tenure of 10 years).

• Before being established in the post, external candidates will be required to successfully serve a probationary period of 9 months.

• The selected candidate will be appointed in principle at the basic grade of the advertised job bracket.

• The generic post is: Head of Division

• This competition is published on 06/06/2012, the closing date is 04/07/2012.