Senior Internal Auditor
Position summary
Introduction
Job description
The Senior Internal Auditor will lead the internal audit team. This role will be pivotal in overseeing the internal audit function, managing risk assessments, and ensuring adherence to quality standards. The Senior Internal Auditor will also play a key role in mentoring junior auditors and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
Core Functions
Internal Audits:
§ Develop and oversee audit scopes and generate audit working documents.
§ Communicate audit plans to relevant process owners.
§ Document and evaluate systems and controls to ensure effectiveness, efficiency of operations, compliance with regulatory requirements, and safeguarding of assets.
§ Engage with staff throughout the audit process to ensure conformity with applicable policies and procedures.
§ Provide guidance on policy and procedure development and implementation.
§ Consolidate audit results, compile comprehensive audit reports, and discuss findings with responsible personnel.
§ Develop, discuss, and monitor the implementation status of audit recommendations.
§ Establish audit review dates within a 5-year cycle.
Risk Management:
§ Establish and implement the institutional risk management strategy.
§ Develop and implement institutional risk management plans and facilitate their cascading to departments.
§ Identify procedural gaps and risk areas within business processes.
§ Collaborate with operational and academic staff to mitigate risks and develop policies, procedures, standards, and systems.
§ Review the effectiveness of internal controls and advise process owners of findings.
§ Monitor the implementation of risk mitigation plans.
§ Conduct research to benchmark best practices against other institutions and enhance quality processes.
§ Roll out institutional risk assessment awareness campaigns.
Promote Quality Standards:
§ Participate in the review of institutional documents, including policies, procedures, and stakeholder materials.
§ Provide guidance for the development of standard operating procedures for departments.
§ Conduct surprise audits and observations in departments and meetings.
Quality Assurance Management System (QAMS)
§ Monitor the implementation of QAMS.
§ Contribute to committee activities and the implementation of resolutions.
§ Ensure the maintenance of correct and current documents on the QMS.
§ Ensure the submission of quality documents required from departments.
§ Monitor the implementation of quality improvement initiatives.
§ Contribute to the cascading of QAMS to all departments.
§ Ensure the blueprinting of Internal Audit & Risk Assessment components of the QAMS ecosystem.
§ Ensure institutional compliance with POPIA.
Investigations:
Conduct and/or coordinate investigations for non-compliance with institutional policies, procedures, and regulations.
General Duties
§ Generate departmental reports at specific annual intervals.
§ Organize and conduct meetings and presentations, develop appropriate templates, collate information, generate meeting packs, and record minutes.
§ File reports with appropriate annexures.
§ Develop forms and templates for institutional use.
§ Participate in special projects and committee work.
§ Office administration.
Minimum requirements
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree specializing in auditing, preferably with additional certifications such as CIA (Certified Internal Auditor) or CISA (Certified Information Systems Auditor).
Experience
§ At least five years of experience directly related to auditing duties and responsibilities, preferably in higher education.
§ Demonstrated leadership experience in managing audit teams and complex audit projects.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
§ Excellent communication skills, both orally and in writing.
§ Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
§ Ability to supervise and train junior audit staff.
§ Proficient in communicating policies and procedures clearly to stakeholders.
§ Up-to-date knowledge of changes and developments in the South African Higher Education landscape.
§ Ability to work effectively with diverse teams.
§ Competent in analysing processes and making recommendations for improvements.
§ Knowledge of institutional and regulatory auditing policies, standards, and procedures.
§ Strong project management skills and the ability to deliver projects on time.
