Principal Specialist - Internal Audit

Role overview

The Principal Specialist in Internal Audit will report to the Executive Head of M-PESA and take ownership of internal audit activities across the business. The role includes leading audit teams on selected projects, particularly across finance and operations audits, and ensuring work is delivered in line with the organisation's audit framework.

Key responsibilities

• Plan, carry out, and document internal audits in accordance with the company's internal audit approach and methodology.
• Lead audit teams for specific audit assignments and projects.
• Support special investigations and project-based reviews when required.
• Contribute to audit quality control and ensure month-end compliance activities, including audit action tracking, are completed correctly.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with audit teams, auditees, management, external advisors, and other stakeholders to identify control weaknesses and improvement opportunities.
• Manage the full audit process, including review of operational effectiveness, financial accuracy, risk management, and compliance with relevant directives and regulations.
• Provide objective, independent guidance to support legality, validity, and achievement of business goals.
• Detect control gaps and recommend measures to reduce risk and improve cost efficiency.
• Prepare internal audit reports and submissions for the audit committee.

Competencies

• Knowledge of internal audit standards and practices.
• Ability to assess and manage risk effectively.
• Strong analytical capability, including data analysis and basic IT audit knowledge.
• Good verbal and written communication skills.
• Negotiation and stakeholder management skills.

Qualifications and experience

• A relevant bachelor's degree is required.
• Professional certification in internal audit, such as CIA or CISA, is required.
• At least 5 years of audit experience is required.
• Previous internal audit experience is essential.

Additional information

This position is based in Lesotho and is a full-time, onsite role.