The European Patent Office in Munich is seeking a Director (Compliance and Performance Audit) *

in Dir. 0.6.1

Deadline for applications: 21.2.2012

Compliance and Performance Audit (Dir. 0.6.1) is one of two directorates making up the EPO's Principal Directorate Internal Audit (PD 0.6), the other being Quality Audit (Dir. 0.6.2). Internal Audit operates in accordance with generally recognised professional audit standards and the Internal Audit Charter issued by the President. The Head of Internal Audit, Principal Director Internal Audit (PD 0.6), reports direct to the President of the European Patent Office, having due regard to the prerogatives of the external auditors (Board of Auditors).

Reporting to the Principal Director 0.6, the Director of Compliance and Performance Audit will be responsible for the examination and appraisal of the adequacy and effectiveness of the EPO's systems of internal control and the quality of performance, as well as for conducting investigations requested by the President.

Main duties

The Director of Compliance and Performance Audit is responsible in particular for:

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  Ensuring that appropriate guidelines and methodologies for audit and investigation work are in place and properly applied in Directorate 0.6.1
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  Ensuring the preparation of a risk-based medium-term audit plan for Dir. 0.6.1, as well as an annual audit programme, to be submitted to the PD 0.6 for approval and subsequently to the President for decision
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  Assisting the PD 0.6 in ensuring that internal audit work is co ordinated with the Board of Auditors, without prejudice to the latter's independence
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  Carrying out thorough and systematic examinations to appraise and improve the effectiveness of risk management, control and governance processes
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  Managing resources to implement audit planning, and supervising the staff of Dir. 0.6.1
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  Ensuring that reports of internal audits and investigations are objective, complete, concise and issued on time
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  Ensuring that a follow-up system is in place to report periodically on the implementation of audit recommendations endorsed by the President
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  Ensuring that a periodical quality assurance exercise is conducted on Dir. 0.6.1
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  Carrying out additional tasks as assigned by the PD 0.6.

The ideal candidate will have:

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  a university degree; higher-level qualifications in auditing and certifications by the Institute of Internal Auditors would be an asset, as would a recognised accounting qualification
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  long senior-level experience in auditing or related fields (e.g. financial control, investigation)
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  experience in managing a diverse range of audits/investigations
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  the ability to analyse legal and procedural issues and financial and non-financial evidence
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  the ability to see the wider implications of events and risks, and to identify and tackle potentially sensitive and critical issues
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  great integrity
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  extremely good communication skills, both orally and in writing
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  sound knowledge of the internal workings of large organisations, preferably obtained in a culturally diverse environment such as an international organisation.

Minimum qualifications

University degree or - in exceptional cases - equivalent knowledge acquired over many years of qualified work. Many years' professional experience in auditing or related fields. Excellent knowledge of one official language**, and the ability to understand the other two.

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 on 27-28 March 2012 and the interviews on 16-17 April 2012. Both will take place in Munich.

Application until: 21.2.2012

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

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  Grade A5

** English, French and German

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  Last updated: 18.1.2012