Job Title: Senior Auditor Internal Risk and Compliance
Organisation: Save the Children International
Duty Station: Kampala, Uganda
About the Company:
Save the Children International is an international relief organization that was established in the United Kingdom in 1919 to improve the lives of children through better education, health care, and economic opportunities, as well as providing emergency aid in natural disasters, war, and other conflicts.
Job Summary: The job holder is primarily responsible for overseeing the adequacy and effectiveness of the governance, risk management and control systems and suggests new initiatives, controls and procedures to ensure good business practices are in place. S/he is responsible for the stewardship of agency assets and reputation by ensuring compliance with local laws and regulations, SCI standards and policies as well as Member and Donor requirements. The role holder works proactively with the Senior Management Team (SMT) to maintain a robust internal control and governance environment. S/he is responsible to lead on the development of a robust Risk Management Plan (RMP) that supports the Country Office (CO) in identifying, mitigating, monitoring and improving on the management of prioritized risk areas. The role holder is accountable for monitoring and reporting on the implementation of internal (including Global Assurance) as well as external audit findings. The role holder is strategic, articulate and comfortable with a diverse role with senior level accountability. S/he is high highly self-driven to achieve excellence. The role holder has a hands-on approach and is actively involved in the operationalization of internal controls, audit activities and investigations.
Key Duties and Responsibilities:
Risk Management:
- Act as CO Focal Point for Risk Management and Compliance, in support of the COs Risk Management Committee (RMC)
- Directs and develops a risk-based annual internal audit plan and budget for evaluating the effectiveness of controls in place to manage significant financial reporting and other risk exposures, safeguard company assets, and compliance with laws and regulations.
- Facilitate cross functional process to identify and assess major CO level risks, considering all major areas of CO strategic focus.
- Support SMT and Uganda Regional Program Managers (RPMs) in adequately capturing the key risks in a Risk Management Plan (RMP), with clear activities and responsibilities for mitigation. Monitor progress and ensure regular risk review meetings by the RMC/SMT.
- Ensure project level and award risk assessments are conducted and monitored.
- Coordinate assurance documentation for CD review, support in completing the annual Risk Assurance Review and (CD) Letter.
- Evaluate the risk of non-compliance with policies and procedures, misappropriation of funds, and lead investigations as required.
- With support of the Security Coordinator, monitor the external political and security environment and potential risk for SCI’s operations, advise the CD and SMT on any new or changing patterns in risk and develop effective mitigation actions.
- Support Partnership Finance Coordinator in organising assessments and reviews of partner control environment; ensure key risk areas are adequately captured and responded to.
- Responsible for the Enterprise Risk Management monitoring that defines risk categories and tolerance then recommends actions and mitigation plans on identified risks in coordination with Senior Management.
Internal Control & Compliance
- Ensure that the internal control mechanisms are known, applied and adhered to.
- Improve the effectiveness of Save the Children control environment by reviewing, documenting and appraising internal controls and accounting systems of SCI and partners.
- Ensure regular internal audits are conducted and audit actions are implemented. Ensure trends of internal audit findings are analyzed and presented to SMT for action.
- Follow up on the findings of (SCI) Global Assurance and external audits ensuring timely implementation and evidencing of all agreed actions.
- Report and regularly discuss audit outcomes with the SMT.
- Develop and implement an annual plan to undertake reviews, spot checks, partner reviews, and support visits across all offices and sub offices. Ensure clear TORs are developed for these reviews and reports are clear and implementable.
- Provide leadership on audit activities directly when and where needed.
- Work closely with the CO Awards and Finance teams to ensure compliance with financial standards and award requirements.
Fraud Awareness and Investigation
- Act as Fraud Focal Point for the Country Office. Promote Save the Children’s zero tolerance approach to fraud by leading awareness training, prevention, detection and response to fraud and corruption.
- Create knowledge and understanding of staff regarding SCI fraud policies and procedures to follow.
- Create a pool of trained staff that can conduct fraud investigations.
- Ensure timely and quality investigations of suspected fraud cases and adequate reporting from initial report to case closure. This includes leading fraud investigations or supporting and ensuring the quality of the work of fraud investigators.
Leadership and capacity development
- Provide strategic leadership to the areas of internal control, fraud and risk management through engagement with SCI global and regional expertise and CO leadership.
- Use trend analysis and develop, implement and share best practice and innovations.
- Provide expert advice, support and recommendations to the SMT on a regular basis.
- Build capacity of a pool of (decentralised) Fraud Focal Points and Investigators in the CO.
- Create an annual capacity development plan; build capacity of SCI staff and partners to strengthen internal controls, compliance and risk management.
- Actively engage in audits and investigations and develop staff’s skills through on-the-job training and coaching
Qualifications, Skills and Experience: To be a strong supporter and advocate for children in this role you will need to have:
- At least a degree in Accounting or Related field with professional qualifications. Master’s degree in accounting is an added advantage.
- ACCA or CPA designation strongly preferred. Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) and Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) designations preferred
- Minimum 8 years of relevant experience, if possible, in NGO.
- Leadership experience required, i.e. supervision of staff and accountable for the deliverables of a unit or department.
- Experience in fraud prevention.
- Experience in audit management.
- Computer fluency; highly competent using MS Word, Excel, Powerpoint and experience working in complex financial systems.
- Strong relationship builder with a proven track record in forming good business partnerships
- Excellent written and spoken communication skills in English.
- Self-initiative and the ability to meet tight deadlines and work independently.
- Strong analytical, problem solving and financial modelling skills.
- The personal circumstances to travel frequently to all programmes in the country.
How to Apply:
All candidates who wish to join Save the Children should apply online at the link below.
Deadline: 22nd April 2025