Global Assurance Manager at Plan International

Role Purpose

Plan International is an independent development and humanitarian organisation that advances children’s rights and equality for girls.  Plan International believes in the power and potential of every child but this is often suppressed by poverty, violence, exclusion and discrimination and it is girls who are most affected. Working together with children, young people, our supporters and partners, the organisation strives for a just world, tackling the root causes of the challenges facing girls and all vulnerable children.  Plan International has been building powerful partnerships for children for over 80 years, and is now active in more than 70 countries.
 
Global Assurance is part of Plan International’s governance framework and was established to provide independent, objective assurance and consulting services designed to add value and improve Plan International’s operations. It helps Plan accomplish its objectives by bringing a systematic, disciplined approach to evaluate and improve the effectiveness of risk management, control, and governance processes

This role will be expected to lead and manage a regional team in providing assurance to the Leadership Team and the International Board on key processes, policies and controls at country, regional or global level as well respond to the changing assurance needs of Plan International as the organisation implements the new global strategy.  . The role holder will manage the delivery of the annual audit plan and will take the lead role in managing audits and reviews to deliver clear and evidence-based audit opinions within the region. The role is also involved in planning and performance of advisory or ad hoc assignments requested by the Global Assurance stakeholders.

Dimensions of the Role

• Management of the regional GA budget of approximately €500,000
• Management, leadership and direction of the regional GA team (currently xx staff)
• Matrix management of GA Seniors and other PII Staff who are assigned to work on audits in the region
• Providing advice and support on governance, risk management and control framework to regional and country leadership teams in the region and globally in Plan International
• Part of the Global Assurance Management team (GAMT) providing cover and support to other managers when required
• Foster innovation/creativity among the GA team to face the challenges of a changing environment and context
• Lead on strategic projects to deliver the GA Strategy

Accountabilities

• Development and Implementation of the GA Approach and Strategy
• Actively contribute ideas to shape the GA strategy
• Position GA as a fit for purpose assurance resource at a regional level
• Act as a lead on various projects or products to implement the GA strategy as agreed with the Head of Internal Audit
• Market  the GA Strategy and Approach to various stakeholders especially at a regional and country level
• Actively engage with the GAMT to ensure consistent development and implementation of the assurance approach and strategy
• Act as a lead on various consultancy assignments where requested by Senior Management and the International Board

Providing Assurance:

• Planning, monitoring and quality review of assurance engagements on key systems, processes, policies and controls carried out at the country, regional and global levels.
• Contribute to the department resource planning, as agreed with the Head of Internal Audit, that provides assurance on key systems, processes, policies and controls in Plan International
• Ensure that assurance engagements, projects and other assignments they are leading are well resourced, completed on schedule and of high standards and follow GA approach/methodology and the IIA standards.
• Prepare and monitor that the work plan is being implemented within the approved regional budget
• Deliver high quality, value-adding reports to the relevant stakeholders that are clear and solutions focused
• Provide monitoring of management Actions in response to Assurance Reviews to ensure that they are effective in addressing identified risks. 
• Supports a culture of fraud risk awareness at all levels of the organisation in our assurance work

Change Management and Learning:

• Influence change within and across the organization to strengthen risk management, accountability and effectiveness and support management in improving operations and to provide a platform for learning from results of audits across Plan International.
• Provide practical recommendations on how to improve systems, processes, policies and controls
• Facilitate the sharing of learning, based on best practices from the different units within the organization or from the sector, especially in areas where they are lead champions
• Provide technical support at various forums in the organisation focusing on risk management and the control framework
• Actively participate in regional and other leadership meetings to provide GA inputs  particularly on  risk, controls, governance, processes and policies
• Always keep up to date on organisational changes and actively seek discussions with relevant stakeholders within the organisation on issues that have impact on current and potential GA assignments
• Suggest and support new and innovative ways of working within the GA department.

Relationship Building:

• Builds relationships with internal and external stakeholders to facilitate conduct of assurance engagements and exchange of knowledge on assurance best practices
• Building relationships with key internal stakeholders mainly regional and country management teams to facilitate the conduct of assurance engagements and identify areas where GA can offer management advisory support
• Build relationships with key regional and global functional leads, especially in the areas where they are lead champions
• Interact with other assurance functions from NO compliance teams, INGOs, external auditors, internal controllers and the donor community to widen knowledge or learning from audit work on assurance best practices and new developments in risk management and controls.
• Respond to queries raised by NOs, GH, RH or Cos on assurance work, internal controls and risk management, providing prompt and professional advice as appropriate
• Access and support professional networks and communities of practice

Leadership of Regional GA Staff:

• GA assignments will be delivered by an effective and efficient team, skilled in their area of expertise
• Line manages three regionally based GA Seniors
• Provide coaching and guidance to the teams that undertake the various assurance engagements
• Facilitate the professional development of direct reports
• Together with direct reports, develop individual work plans that show key deliverables and personal development plans; provide regular appraisals
• Ensure that Plan values and behaviours are adopted by self and the regional GA team

Safeguarding and Gender Equality and Inclusion

Ensures that Plan International’s global policies for Safeguarding Children and Young People and Gender Equality and Inclusion are fully embedded in accordance with the principles and requirements of the policy including relevant Implementation Standards and Guidelines as applicable to their area of responsibility. This includes, but is not limited to, ensuring staff and associates are aware of and understand their responsibilities under these policies and Plan International’s Code of Conduct (CoC), their relevance to their area of work, and that concerns are reported and managed in accordance with the appropriate procedures

Technical expertise, skills and knowledge

Essential

• Demonstrable knowledge of principles of auditing and risk management
• Demonstrated understanding of causal and root cause analysis
• In depth knowledge and understanding of the risks facing the development sector
• Knowledge of various donors’ conditions and requirements
• Knowledge of development sector and Humanitarian standards (Core Humanitarian Standards)
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely both orally and in writing
• Proven managerial experience, with emphasis on motivating and getting the best out of others
• Proven skills in managing multiple assignments over a wide geographical coverage involving multiple teams
• Proven ability to analyse complex situations and problems and identify and appropriate response (conflict management)
• Good negotiation and influencing skills
• Holds oneself accountable for making decisions
• Able to manage budgets efficiently and effectively
• Excellent facilitation and presentation skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills in a multicultural environment, including the ability to build relationships with colleagues at different levels within and outside the organization – country, regional, national offices and donors 

Behaviours

• Holds self and others to account to deliver on Plan International Values and Behaviours
• Willing to take a stand to uphold a position or view
• Promotes innovation and learning
• Self-driven and works under minimum supervision
• Sound judgement and decision-making in complex situations
• Cross culturally adept
• Demonstrate high degree of professionalism and integrity
• Remains calm and positive under pressure and in difficult situations
• Takes responsibility for own learning and development
• Values diversity
• Active listener
• Team player

Desirable

• Knowledge of Arabic
• CISA or another relevant IT Risk or Audit qualification
• Analytical thinking
• Emotional intelligence
• Creativity
• Resilience
• Certification in audit, fraud, risk management (CIA, CFE, CRMA, CISA, etc.)