Readvertisement -Internal Auditor at Action Against Hunger International

 Job Summary

The role aims to provide the Action Against Hunger USA (ACF USA) Executive Team and Board of Directors with independent and objective assurance that key organizational risks are identified; appropriately mitigated and controlled; that the internal audit function is relevant, effective and well-performing; and that appropriate policies and systems are in place to carry out internal country and process audits. The role also involves advisory services to ACF USA senior management on the effectiveness of existing management, information and administrative systems as well as leading on selected fraud case investigations.

Purpose:

• To design, manage and continuously improve ACF USA’s internal audit function in compliance with industry standards, best practice, and applicable accounting standards.
• To provide assurance and support to management when developing action plans to address identified weaknesses and risks.
• To lead selected fraud investigations in line with ACF USA policies and procedures.

Engagement:

• Collaborates with key stakeholders to provide an independent evaluation of ACF USA country and regional offices as well as selected department’s operational and governance activities with an objective to effectively mitigate identified risks and ensure policies, procedures and processes are adhered to in ACF USA’s operations and governance activities.
• Provides advice and guidance to ACF USA senior management.
• Actively collaborates with Audit, Risk and Compliance focal persons across ACF USA offices.

Delivery:  

• To execute internal country and process audits, special reviews and (fraud) investigations through overseeing the planning and scheduling of the work, preparation of the reports, identifying the risk areas and making appropriate recommendations for improved governance, risk management and internal control.

 Essential Job Duties

• Strengthen, maintain and continuously improve ACF USA’s Internal Audit function in line with industry standards and best practice
• Strengthens and maintains the Internal Audit function’s policies, standards, processes and systems.
• Based on identified risks, learning and industry best practice, continuously improves the Internal Audit function and accompanying standards.
• Jointly with ACF USA’s Chief Finance Officer and other Executive Team members, prepares a quality risk-based Annual Audit Plan.
• Maintains adequate knowledge of technical developments in accounting, audit, corporate governance and other relevant topics for the performance of their duties.
• Actively collaborates with ACF USA Audit, Risk and Compliance focal points in ACF USA regional and country offices to share best practice, lessons learned and maintain an open dialogue on risk and compliance.
• Promotes a clear understanding of the role of Internal Audit function. Develops and delivers internal audit training and information materials for staff
• Deliver quality, timely and relevant internal country and process audits
• Researches and assesses the effectiveness and appropriateness of ACF USA country, regional offices and other department’s governance, risk management and internal control processes to achieve our objectives and as input to the annual audit plan.
• Acts as primary responsible for planning, delivering and reporting on internal country and process audits. This requires regular travel to ACF USA country offices as well as a professional and appropriate level of communication with the relevant management team before, during and after the audit.
• For individual internal audits, works closely with, and supports, office and departmental management to develop action plans to address and monitor identified findings.
• Maintains an internal audit schedule, monitors the implementation of internal audit findings and regularly reports against these to relevant internal stakeholders.
• Provides advice and support to senior management on addressing internal audit findings, risks and challenges.
• Ensure a culture of ethics with particular attention to responding to fraud
• Jointly with Audit, Risk and Compliance function colleagues, maintains and strengthens ACF USA’s fraud response procedures, processes and systems.
• Leads on investigations for selected breaches of ACF’s Code of Conduct and Anti-fraud Policy and other irregularities in line with standards.
• Develops, maintains and delivers training and guidance materials related to ethical standards and fraud prevention and response in line with Action Against Hunger’s values, policies and procedures.
• Perform other duties on risk, policy procedure and general advice
• With due respect for the position’s independence, provides advice and input to ACF USA’s Audit Risk and Compliance function’s broader work including on risk management, strengthening ACF USA’s internal control framework, policy and procedures.
• Undertakes non-audit related work for senior management and acts as a link with external auditors if required.
• Actively participates in leadership meetings to provide strategic input on risk management and other relevant topics.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• The does not currently include line management duties. It provides direction and guidance to staff across ACF USA on relevant topics, including Audit, Risk and Committee colleagues in ACF regional and country offices.

Fiscal Responsibility

• The position may manage budget to internal audit function.

Physical Demands

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to sit for long periods and to concentrate on work, including typing, and turn out heavy volumes of work accurately, within short time frames under stressful situations in the context of a moderately noisy office with many interruptions.
• Must be able to proofread own work accurately so that only minor corrections are needed on an infrequent basis.
• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Working Conditions, Travel and Environment

• The duties of the job require regular job attendance at least five days per week. Must be available to work outside normal office hours or on the weekends as required by contact with the missions, mission security, or other obligations.
• Must be able to travel as required for standard domestic and international business travel as well as to the missions if appropriate. Based on the country office needs, the time spent on field trips will be a minimum of 30% of his/her working time. While visiting the field, the employee may be exposed to precarious settings under high security risks and/or very basic living conditions and outside weather conditions, as well as to infectious diseases.

Gender Equality Commitments & Zero Tolerance to Abuse

• Foster an environment that reinforces values of people of all genders equal access to information.
• Provide a work environment where people of all genders must be evaluated and promoted based on their skills and performance.
• Promote a safe, secure, and respectful environment for all stakeholders, particularly for children, beneficiaries, and members of staff.
• Help to prevent any type of abuse including workplace harassment and sexual abuse and exploitation.
• Respect beneficiaries’ women, men, children (boys and girls) regardless of gender, sex orientation, disability, religion, race, color, ancestry, national origin, age, or marital status.
• Value and respect all cultures.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree, or its international equivalent, in accounting, business administration, finance or a related field.
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), Certified Internal Auditor and/ or qualification is strongly preferred. In addition, Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS) or Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) certifications are an added advantage.
• Membership with a relevant professional body such as the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA), a relevant national Certified Public Accountant body or the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) is welcome.

Required Skills & Experience

• At least 7 years’ professional experience in auditing, accounting, or the equivalent with exposure to various aspects of finance. Experience in an international humanitarian and/ or development organization is not required but is an advantage.
• Strong knowledge of a variety of control environments.
• Demonstrable experience of managing fraud investigation, preferably in an international context and/ or with not-for-profit organizations.
• Demonstrable knowledge of the rules, regulations and donor policies governing award compliance/ regulatory management from the US Government, the EU, ECHO, the UN and other multinational donors.
• Ability to deal with sensitive and confidential issues using discretion and judgement. Ability to maintain confidentiality and communicate appropriate information.
• Excellent English oral and written verbal communication skills including ability to explain organizational policies and procedures as well as to produce of timely, comprehensive and well-written documents.
• Strong inter-personal, networking, influencing and liaison skills and ability to interact with Action Against Hunger colleagues from various seniority levels as well as external stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to establish, maintain and manage relationships with senior management as well as other internal and external stakeholders.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills, including an ability to plan for multiple priorities, and strong attention to detail.
• Ability to remain calm under pressure and adapt to changing circumstances; and flexible approach/ willingness to take on additional tasks.
• Significant experience with business and financial systems, Microsoft Office applications including Excel. Proven ability to use relevant data analytics and audit tools
• The job holder must be willing to travel internationally for a minimum of 30% per year on two-to-three-week assignments