Internal Controls Lead at Highlands Drinks Limited

Key Responsibilities

Internal Control Enforcement

• Serve as the organization's primary enforcement officer for internal controls.
• Detect, investigate, and resolve non-compliance and internal control breaches.
• Ensure ownership and accountability from departments for control failures and immediate resolution of issues.

SOP Development & Strengthening

• Identify weak, missing, or outdated SOPs and control processes across departments.
• Facilitate departmental development and strengthening of SOPs, embedding robust control measures.
• Review and integrate new SOPs into the organization-wide internal control framework.

Investigations & Root Cause Analysis

• Lead investigations into control breaches and irregularities.
• Perform root cause analysis to understand underlying issues.
• Develop and track corrective action plans to address root causes and prevent recurrence.

Accountability & Escalation Management

• Hold process owners accountable for corrective actions within defined timelines.
• Escalate unresolved or repeat breaches to senior management with recommendations for disciplinary or structural interventions.
• Ensure closure of identified control issues with documented follow-through.

Monitoring, Spot Checks & Follow-up Audits

• Conduct risk-based spot checks and surprise audits in critical operational areas.
• Perform follow-up audits to verify implementation and effectiveness of corrective actions.
• Maintain an audit trail of all reviews, findings, and actions taken.

Compliance Communication & Training

• Continuously communicate compliance expectations to all departments.
• Provide targeted training and workshops to enhance awareness and capability in control measures.
• Ensure staff understand reporting lines and escalation protocols for non-compliance.

Collaboration with External Auditors

• Support external audit processes by facilitating access to information and contributing to investigations.
• Coordinate the resolution of audit findings and ensure implementation of external audit recommendations.

Risk Management

• Identify, assess, and monitor key operational and compliance risks across departments.
• Work with process owners to implement mitigation strategies and preventive controls.
• Maintain a central risk register with documented action plans and escalation processes.

People Management & Culture Building

• Provide leadership and development to the Internal Controls team.
• Foster a culture of integrity, high performance, and accountability.
• Implement career pathing, performance reviews, succession planning, and staff engagement practices within the function.

Reporting

• Provide monthly reports detailing investigations, control breaches, root causes, and status of corrective actions.
• Present trend analyses and recurring issues with strategic recommendations for resolution.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• % of identified control breaches resolved within set timelines.
• Number of SOPs reviewed, updated, or newly developed and implemented.
• % implementation rate of corrective actions from investigations and audits.
• Frequency and coverage of risk-based audits, spot checks, and follow-up reviews.
• % resolution of external audit findings within agreed timelines.
• Timeliness and quality of monthly internal controls reports submitted.
• % reduction in repeat control breaches or unresolved risks quarter-over-quarter.
• Number of staff trained on compliance and internal controls.
• % of risk mitigation actions completed on schedule from the risk register.
• Employee engagement and performance scores within the Internal Controls team.
• Progress on career pathing, succession planning, and performance reviews for direct reports.

Education & Experience Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, Finance, Audit, or a related field.
• CPA (K) or ACCA certification required.
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in internal controls, audit, compliance, or risk management.
• Experience conducting investigations and working with external auditors.
• Proven track record in team leadership, performance management, and capability building.

Technical Competencies

• Internal Audit & Risk Management
• SOP Development & Implementation
• Investigations & Root Cause Analysis
• Regulatory & Policy Compliance
• Report Writing & Data Interpretation

Behavioral Competencies

• Continuous Improvement (IMPROVE): Demonstrates a natural drive to grow and consistently seeks better ways of working and delivering results.
• Teamwork: Collaborates across functions and contributes to shared successes and challenges.
• Agility: Embraces change, adapts quickly, and solves problems proactively and with precision.
• Leadership: Inspires, empowers, and supports others to achieve and sustain high performance.
• Integrity: Acts with honesty, accountability, and discipline — even when not being observed.

Deadline: 20/04/2025