Regional Internal Auditor (Re-Advertisement) at Aga Khan Education Service, Kenya (AKESK)

The position

• AKF East Africa has a robust and expanding portfolio of multi-sectorial initiatives that focuses on advancing learning outcomes, strengthening education systems, improving the quality of early childhood development, establishing inclusive and responsive civil society, and creating climate resilience solutions to address current and future challenges faced by communities across East Africa.
• The Regional Internal Audit function within AKF EA is considered strategic and consequential within the institutions framework to delivery impactful development programming and advancing the quality of life of marginalized communities. Working closely with the institution’s regional governance and management teams, the Regional Internal Auditor is charged with driving accountability, transparency, and best practice across all institutional dimensions.

Tasks and Responsibilities

• Lead internal audit planning including the preparation of detailed audit work plans for each department, country, and field office in coordination with CFO, Regional CEO, and the Finance and Audit Committee, with the scope, objectives and procedures based on an evaluation of applicable risks.
• Develop management audit approaches to address risks, donor requirements, and promote operational effectiveness. Assess internal control systems ensures compliance with established policies and procedures. 
• Conduct testing and analysis of specified areas identified in work plan by carrying out interviews, reviewing processes, and using samples and other data to ensure compliance with organization policies and procedures and best practice. Able to understand, engage, and provide value-add recommendation on all institutional dimensions including development programming, financial management, asset management, operational processes, and human resources.
• Draft comprehensive and complete reports including the results from the audit reviews assessment of the adequacy and effectiveness of internal controls and adherence to these, identify areas for improvement and any reportable issues that need to be elevated to management for actioning in addition to the associated risk.
• Verbally present results to regional management and governance to obtain responses on the findings and alignment of the actions to address such findings. In collaboration with regional department leads and directors, identify and recommend ways to increase efficiencies of processes and internal controls.
• Develop tools to track audit data and ensure that follow up actions are performed as agreed and in a timely manner. Draft Internal Audit reports and dashboards for leadership which clearly communicate insights and recommendations.
• Manage internal audit resource, creating task-based assignments, following up, and communicating progress and results.  
• Conduct investigations related to loss, financial and programmatic fraud, and corruption in coordination with Human Resources.
• Build trust and a positive relationship at all levels of the organization by approaching the work with a spirit of collaboration and collective improvement to advance the institutions vision, mission, and values.
• Tactfully follow-up on agreed upon recommendations.
• Escalate higher level issues to the Finance and Audit Committee.

The requirements

Minimum Qualifications and Competencies required:

• Be a Certified Public Accountant and hold a bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance or another related field. Preferably be a Certified Internal Auditor.
• Have at least 10 years of experience of audit work at senior level.
• Strong experience of conducting risk-based reviews of systems and processes.
• Demonstrable ability to focus on key issues, facilitating focus on crucial matters of control and oversight.
• Strong experience in producing high quality effective written reports and can articulate effectively at all levels
• Excellent interpersonal and coaching skills including a demonstrable ability to deliver difficult messages with tact and confidence.
• Cultural awareness and work well with people from diverse backgrounds and demonstrate integrity.
• Experience of evaluating systems and processes by identifying weaknesses and areas of improvements.