Senior Internal Auditor at Catholic Relief Services (CRS)

Department: Global Fund Malaria Program
Position Band: E - 1
Reports to: Country Representative
Supervises: Internal Auditors

Context
CRS has a long and rich history of collaboration with the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (Global Fund). Since 2003, CRS has been awarded over $290 million in Global Fund resources to implement programs in 27 countries. In Nigeria, CRS is a sub-recipient (SR) on the Global Fund HIV and Malaria grants and will assume the role of principal recipient (PR) for the Global Fund Malaria grant starting January 2017. As PR, CRS will partner with the National Malaria Elimination Program (NMEP), various state governments and malaria partners and stakeholders to coordinate the 2017 long lasting insecticide treated nets (LLIN) mass campaigns in 7 states.  CRS will also manage and oversee SRs to deliver a range of malaria treatment and prevention services at the state level.

Job Summary

• The position of Senior Internal Auditor will lead the development, implementation and monitoring of action plans for the Global Fund Malaria Program and promote proactive risk management.
• S/he will ensure that the Internal Auditors at the hub level are strengthening SRs/partners by ensuring that all categories of risk are identified, assessed and managed.
• The Senior Internal Auditor will coordinate the planning and processing of audits.
• S/he will track and consolidate audit findings and lessons learned and propose mitigation strategies in order to create an environment of compliance and control in the Global Fund Malaria Program.

Specific Job Responsibilities

• Serve as primary point of contact for issues relating to audit and risk
• Lead the development and implementation of comprehensive compliance review plans for all areas of risk
• Review and comment on award agreements, SR sub-agreements, and other award documents in order to ensure compliance with relevant laws and Global Fund regulations as well as CRS policy
• Support and conduct audits and spot checks to ensure that CRS and SR/partner operational policies comply with Global Fund regulations and agency standards
• Coordinate the internal control assessments to validate project compliance with CRS’ Internal Control Policy
• Performs site visits of CRS and partner warehouses to inspect the condition of commodities and to evaluate internal controls systems, as needed.
• Ensure that systems are in place to identify, report and correct instances of non-compliance at CRS, and SR/partner levels
• Determines the level of transaction testing required for the Internal Auditors
• Conduct investigation assignments as needed; assess and evaluate systemic and operational factors contributing to the problem and offer actionable recommendations
• Recommend and/or validate action to be taken by CRS as the lead agency for any SR or partner that is not meeting its contractual obligations or does not have the necessary internal control and finance systems in place to manage advances and program activities
• Ensure that Internal Auditors are promptly following-up for the closure of audit recommendations; review audit closure action plans and responses
• Contribute to the Country Program’s risk disclosure / loss event report
• Ensure that filing systems for program assets, personnel and other resources are in place, and follow up on their implementation
• Lead the audit team in identifying potential risks and training needs.
• Design high quality training tools for PMU and hub staff as well as SR/partner staff to build compliance capacity
• Roll out the trainings at the hub or SR/partner level
• Review and consolidate lessons-learned, case studies and best practices, identifying trends and develop reports on risks and audit findings for the country representative
• Supervise, coach and mentor a team of CRS internal audit staff to meet team objectives
• Conduct periodic reviews of staff performance in keeping with CRS’ performance management system and mentor staff to ensure high levels of motivation, commitment, capacity, and teamwork

Key Working Relationships:

• Internal: Global Fund Malaria Program Team, Internal Audit Department, Head of Operations, Deputy Country Representative, Country Representative, Finance, Procurement and Administration Staff, Regional and Senior Technical Advisors, Deputy Regional Director for MQ, HQ Audit Team
• External: SRs, State Ministries of Health (SMOH), National Malaria Elimination Program (NMEP) within the Federal Ministry of Health (MoH), National Products Supply Chain Management Program (NPSCMP), National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC), NMEP’s third party logistics agents, Central Medical Store, Technical and Financial Partners involved in Supply Chain Strengthening, partner health facilities, Local Fund Agent (LFA), external auditors

Agency Wide Competences (for all CRS staff):

• These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results.
  • Serves with Integrity
  • Models Stewardship
  • Cultivates Constructive Relationships
  • Promotes Learning

Qualifications and Skills

• Master's Degree in Accounting, Finance or Business, required; ACA, CPA, CIA, Chartered Accountancy
• Minimum 10 years in accounting, finance or auditing, preferably with programs that manage significant procurement and commodity management
• Knowledge of Global Fund regulations required
• Proven leadership and inter-personal skills and ability to build and motivate diverse and talented teams
• Public relations skills and ability to work well both within a team and independently
• Ability to interface with multiple stakeholders, representatives, and partners (including representatives of government agencies) in a professional manner on an ongoing basis
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively under pressure and to prioritize competing demands
• Strategic, analytical and decision-making skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook
• Professional proficiency in English oral and written communication skills; strong demonstrated writing skills required (reports, evaluations)
• Willingness and ability to travel in-country (sometimes on short notice) up to 50% and out of the country up to 10%