Senior Lead (Internal Auditor) Global Assurance, Africa

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, Finance, or a related field.
  
• Internal Audit Certification (CIA, CPA, or equivalent) required.
  
• Minimum of 6-8 years of experience in internal auditing, compliance, or financial operations.
  
• Experience in international non-profit organizations or multinational entities preferred.
  
• Strong knowledge of US GAAP, IFRS, and relevant statutory/regulatory requirements.
  
• Proficiency in data analysis and financial assessment techniques.
  
• Strong understanding of business process evaluation and risk management.
  
• Expertise in internal control frameworks and compliance monitoring.
  
• Ability to identify financial risks and recommend practical solutions.
  
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including report writing and presentations.
  
• Awareness of industry regulations, audit methodologies, and best practices.
  

• Strategy & Knowledge Development & Implementation
  
• Execute the annual audit plan with a focus on risk prioritization and efficiency.
  
• Conduct detailed financial and operational audits, ensuring alignment with regulatory requirements and IJM’s internal policies.
  
• Utilize data analytics to assess financial trends, operational risks, and control effectiveness.
  
• Review financial records and reporting structures to ensure compliance with IJM policies, US GAAP, local accounting standards, and external statutory requirements.
  
• Identify and assess risks associated with financial operations, compliance requirements, and business processes, ensuring recommendations are impactful and feasible.
  
• Evaluate internal controls and operational effectiveness, identifying opportunities for improvement and recommending best practices.
  
• Assess finance team structures and key responsibilities, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives and efficiency needs.
  
• Examine sub-award and partner onboarding, financial monitoring, and compliance frameworks for project execution.
  
• Conduct in-depth payroll and headcount analysis, identifying trends and inconsistencies.
  
• Assess treasury, banking operations, and cash management practices to strengthen financial security and risk mitigation.
  
• Apply data-driven insights to generate analytical reports on budget utilization, cash flow trends, and financial health indicators.
  
• Provide high-quality audit findings with practical recommendations that drive sustainable improvements in finance and operations.
  
• Conduct focused reviews of major grants, including mid-term and closeout audits, ensuring adherence to funding requirements.
  
• Evaluate asset and inventory management practices, proposing enhancements to improve efficiency and control.
  
• Strengthen risk assessment frameworks and tools to ensure consistent application across global offices.
  
• Networking & Partnership
  
• Establish strong relationships with field office leaders and finance teams to enhance audit engagement effectiveness.
  
• Conduct structured interviews with key stakeholders to assess internal controls and risk areas.
  
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams (OGC, Global Grants, Risk & Compliance) to enhance financial governance and compliance measures.
  
• Provide expertise in forensic investigations, fraud risk assessments, and special compliance reviews as needed.
  
• Contribute to enterprise-wide financial system transformation initiatives, ensuring effective controls are embedded.
  
• Policies and Procedures
  
• Identify areas for improvement in policies and procedures, making recommendations to strengthen internal controls and operational efficiency.
  
• Provide guidance on updating financial policies and reference manuals to align with industry best practices.
  
• Offer insights on global and field office finance policy enhancements, ensuring compliance and effective implementation.
  
• Communication
  
• Ensure timely and transparent communication with all audit stakeholders, following best practices in engagement management.
  
• Provide clear audit notifications, periodic updates, and key insights throughout the audit process.
  
• Present audit objectives, findings, and recommendations effectively in meetings with senior leadership and field office teams.
  
• Discuss and align preliminary audit findings with field office leadership to ensure clarity and mutual understanding.
  
• Prepare comprehensive audit reports, incorporating management feedback and submitting them for Director, Global Assurance, review.
  
• Track the implementation of audit recommendations, following up on corrective actions to ensure full resolution.
  
• Monitor and support the execution of external audit recommendations, ensuring timely and effective compliance.
  
• Training and Development
  
• Design and deliver targeted training programs for field office leadership and finance teams to enhance financial compliance awareness and internal controls.
  
• Provide guidance on strengthening finance training materials, making them more accessible and practical for diverse global teams.
  
• Identify skill gaps and performance improvement opportunities within global offices, recommending capacity-building initiatives.
  
• Fieldwork Projects
  
• Execute on-site audits for selected global field offices annually, ensuring alignment with global audit priorities and consistency in findings.
  
• General Tasks
  
• Stay informed about regulatory developments, industry trends, and emerging financial risks impacting IJM’s global operations.
  
• Actively participate in staff development activities and cross-functional collaborations to foster a culture of continuous learning.
  
• Engage in department meetings, training sessions, and relevant professional development programs.
  
• Maintain professional certifications and complete required continuing education to ensure up-to-date expertise in internal auditing and compliance.