International Justice Mission (IJM) is a global team of lawyers, investigators, social workers, community activists, and other professionals working to protect the poor from violence through 17 field offices throughout Africa, Latin America, and South and Southeast Asia. The Senior Lead (Internal Auditor) for Global Assurance in Africa is responsible for executing the annual audit plan with a focus on risk prioritization and efficiency, conducting detailed financial and operational audits, and ensuring alignment with regulatory requirements and IJM’s internal policies.
Responsibilities
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.
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.
How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should apply online through the International Justice Mission (IJM) portal by visiting: https://www.myjobmag.co.ke/apply-now/1157704
