Internal Audit Planning & Quality Assurance Specialist

Purpose of the Role

This position entails leading internal audit functions autonomously, focusing on developing strategies, quality assurance policies, and annual audit plans to align with organizational goals while ensuring adherence to regulations. The role involves providing consultancy and guidance to optimize operational processes and audit activities.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Design and periodically update the internal audit strategy, objectives, quality assurance guidelines, policies, and procedures to reflect the organization’s requirements and international standards.
• Establish clear internal audit KPIs with measurable targets to assess performance and service quality.
• Engage with various departments through interviews to analyze processes, identify potential risks, and understand workflow challenges.
• Collaborate with the Risks and Analytics team to develop and maintain a risk register and mitigation strategies.
• Consolidate individual internal audit programs into a comprehensive annual audit plan, detailing scope, frequency, and scheduling.
• Evaluate and determine resource needs necessary for effective audit execution.
• Ensure all internal audit activities comply with applicable laws and regulations.
• Manage ongoing internal audit projects by monitoring progress, reporting status updates, and ensuring timely completion.

• Perform quality assurance assessments including documentation reviews, gap analyses, sampling, and gathering auditee feedback to evaluate audit effectiveness and adherence.
• Conduct training sessions to enhance the audit team’s skills and promote ethical standards.

• Support external and internal auditors during onsite audits as required.
• Compile comprehensive audit reports including findings, deficiencies, and improvement recommendations for senior management and committees.
• Monitor the implementation of corrective actions across departments, providing assistance and investigating delays.
• Offer advisory consultations to internal customers adhering to established protocols.
• Maintain structured documentation and archiving of audit reports for records and future reference.

• Adhere strictly to all relevant internal policies, processes, and SOPs to ensure consistency and control in work execution.
• Assist in resolving escalated issues and provide support to junior team members to maintain efficiency.
• Escalate complex matters appropriately to ensure proper resolution.
• Undertake additional assignments as requested.

• Mentor and train junior personnel to facilitate knowledge transfer and skill development.
• Delegate responsibilities by prioritizing tasks, assigning roles, and overseeing workflow to ensure task completion in line with policies.
• Offer support to direct reports to enable effective fulfillment of their duties.

Qualifications and Experience

• Possess a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration or an equivalent field.
• A Master’s degree is advantageous.
• Have at least five years of substantial experience in relevant internal audit or quality assurance roles.

Skills and Competencies

• Advanced proficiency in internal audit techniques and planning.
• Strong knowledge of legislation and regulatory requirements.
• Expertise in quality management and policy formulation.
• Developing skills in collaboration, communication, and change enablement.
• Demonstrated professionalism, customer focus, investigatory abilities, and result orientation.