Director Internal Auditing and Investigations

The European Patent Office in Munich is seeking a Director Internal Auditing and Investigations

in Dir. 0.6.1
(five-year Euro-contract, with the possibility of conversion into a permanent appointment)

Job group 3 
Grade G13, step 3

Deadline for applications: 19.4.2015

The European Patent Office (EPO) – the second-largest international organisation in Europe, with 7 000 staff members and a self-financed annual budget of EUR 2bn – is looking for a Director Internal Auditing and Investigations.

This directorate is one of three units making up the EPO's Principal Directorate Internal Audit and Oversight , the others being the Quality Audit directorate and the Assurance Services department.

Principal Directorate Internal Audit and Oversight operates in accordance with generally recognised professional audit standards and the Charter for Internal Audit and Oversight, approved by the President. The Director Internal Auditing and Investigations reports to the Principal Director Internal Audit and Oversight, who in turn reports directly to the President of the EPO, having due regard to the prerogatives of the external auditors (Board of Auditors). The principal directorate's assurance and internal auditing work on the Reserve Funds for Pensions and Social Security (RFPSS) is carried out under the responsibility of the RFPSS Supervisory Board.

The Director Internal Auditing and Investigations will be responsible for internal auditing (the examination and appraisal of the adequacy and effectiveness of the EPO’s system of internal control and the quality of performance), as well as for managing administrative, fact-finding investigations carried out under the EPO’s investigation guidelines, which follow best practice in international organisations. Investigations are carried out only into received allegations of misconduct (including fraud and harassment).

Main duties The Director, Internal Auditing and Investigations is responsible in particular for

1. ensuring that appropriate guidelines and methodologies and manuals of procedures for audit and investigation work are maintained and properly applied in the directorate
2. ensuring the preparation of a risk-based medium-term audit plan for internal auditing, as well as an annual internal auditing programme, to be submitted to the principal director for approval and subsequently to the President for decision; for audits on behalf of the RFPSS Supervisory Board,
3. preparing an annual plan for approval by the board assisting the principal director in ensuring that internal audit work is co-ordinated with the Board of Auditors, without prejudice to the latter’s independence
4. carrying out thorough and systematic examinations to appraise and improve the effectiveness of risk management, control and governance processes
5. managing resources, implementing the audit plan, and supervising the staff of the directorate
6. directing the Investigative Unit and the investigations carried out
7. ensuring that reports of internal audits and investigations are objective, complete, concise and issued on time
8. ensuring that a follow-up system is in place to report periodically on the implementation of audit recommendations endorsed by the President
9. ensuring that the 5-yearly quality assurance exercise (positive assessment in 2014) and the continuous quality assurance and improvement programme is maintained for Internal Audit
10. additional tasks as assigned by the principal director.

The ideal candidate will have

1. a qualification in auditing, certification by the Institute of Internal Auditors or recognised accounting and investigation qualifications
2. leadership experience in managing a diverse range of audits and investigations
3. the ability to analyse legal and procedural issues and financial and non-financial evidence
4. the ability to see the wider implications of events and risks, and to identify and tackle potentially sensitive and critical issues
5. great integrity
6. excellent communication skills, both orally and in writing
7. sound knowledge of the internal workings of the EPO or similar large organisations, obtained in a culturally diverse environment such as an international organisation.

Minimum qualifications

1. Diploma of completed studies at Master's level or – in exceptional cases – equivalent professional experience.
2. Excellent knowledge of two official languages* and ability to understand the third one.

Salary and benefits

The EPO offers competitive salaries, an excellent social package, and varied work in a modern international environment. The net monthly salary for this vacancy is approximately EUR 9 800. The EPO also operates contributory medical-insurance and pension schemes. In addition, depending on their personal circumstances, EPO staff may be entitled to relocation benefits and various allowances.

Process and timeline

The successful candidate will be selected on the basis of qualifications and tests. Before the formal interviews, shortlisted candidates will be asked to attend an assessment centre for exercises and discussions designed to assess their management skills and personal qualities.

The results will go to the selection board for consideration in the subsequent stages of the selection procedure.

It is intended to hold an assessment centre in week 22 (26-29.05.2015) and the interviews in week 27 (between 29.06 and 03.07.2015). Both will take place in Munich.

Application until: 19.4.2015

Please apply by sending us your online application

Instructions for online job applications to the European Patent Office

How to get there: directions for the European Patent Office in Munich 

* English, French and German

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