Head, Internal Oversight (AfCDC) at African Union(AU)

Requisition ID: 2148

Purpose of Job

• The incumbent is responsible for the overall planning and coordination of activities/projects/programs of the Internal Oversight.
• He/She shall direct and manage the daily operations of the internal oversight functions of the Africa CDC to achieve the strategic objectives of the Office and the Africa CDC’s overall goals.
• This includes planning, developing and implementing strategic policies so as to enhance and protect organizational values by providing risk-based and objective assurance, investigations, advice, and insights.

Main Functions

• Develop and implement the IO’s medium and long-term goals and objectives, and related annual audit and work plans.
• Define the broad objectives and scope for each audit project / review.
• Provide guidance and on-the-job trainings to audit staff on technical and administrative matters.
• Analyze guidelines and standards for internal oversight activities in the course of ensuring consistency of approach and adequacy of practice of subordinate auditors.
• Evaluate internal control systems and make solid recommendations to promote operational effectiveness and efficiency, reliable financial reporting, and compliance with AU rules, policies and procedures.
• Present major audit results and recommendations to management.
• Provide expert advice on financial, administrative, operational matters and/or control systems, procedures and activities as well as key management initiatives.
• Assist to ensure that IO’s investigation activities are in conformity with the best practices and “Uniform Principles and Guidelines for Investigations” that are periodically endorsed by the Conference of International Investigators.
• Monitor the status of audit recommendations.
• Designs strategies and policies in order to address the pertinent issues in risk management and mitigation.
• Assesses the effectiveness of the Africa CDC business continuity plan and monitor its implementation in the Organisation.
• Assesses the risk management systems put in place and monitors the mitigation measures across the institution.
• Oversees the expansion and development of new and existing activities of the Office.
• Assesses the programmes on engagement of stakeholders within Members States, RECs and partners in designing and implementing risk management and mitigation strategies.
• Prepares periodic financial and budget execution reports and monitors budget execution at Division level.
• Maintains a positive work environment that facilitates collaboration and information sharing and is conducive to attracting, retaining, and motivating diverse talent; Develop and maintain operating rules and procedures.
• Review developed policies and guidelines in accordance with the organizations’ legal framework and monitor their implementation.
• Manages and supervises employees within the division, to ensure effectiveness and efficiency and timely delivery of the Division’s goals and effective staff performance evaluation.

Specific Responsibilities

• Plan, organize, direct and coordinate the activities of multiple teams and resources of the Office of Internal Oversight.
• Determine the adequacy and effectiveness of established internal control to prevent and/or detect errors and irregularities and determine compliance / conformance with existing controls, best practices and international standards.
• Provide direction and leadership with respect to all phases of each audit/review.
• Lead audits/reviews of a sensitive and complex nature;
• Provide technical updates to the audit teams on new developments in the audit profession.
• Review working papers and related audit/review communications (e.g., OIO audit reports, investigation reports, activity reports etc.);
• Liaise on IO audit/investigation matters with Africa CDC directorates, institutions, senior management and operational staff as appropriate.
• Assist in coordinating with external auditors and establish a data base for all audit recommendations.
• Assesses and monitor the achievement of organizational objectives, identify and assess risks to ensure achievement of those objectives and recommend mitigation strategies.
• Assess compliance with policies, laws and regulations.
• Assists management in the effective discharge of their responsibilities by furnishing them with analyses, appraisal, counsel and audit recommendations on the activities reviewed/audited.
• Ascertain the integrity and reliability of financial, management and other information provided to Africa CDC leadership and stakeholders, including that used in decision making.
• Provide technical leadership and ensure efficient functioning of internal oversight function
• Direct the implementation of the approved annual work plan and the provision of complete, timely, fair, objective, and accurate internal audit and investigation engagement reports to the Director General and other senior managers as appropriate.
• Develop a risk-based annual audit plan for the Office of Internal Oversight that is flexible and adaptable to the emerging trends and issues in the Africa CDC.
• Oversee Africa CDC’s portfolio that focuses on key risks and opportunities to strengthen the institution's governance, risk management, internal controls and value-for-money, using modern internal audit practices in accordance with professional standards, and ensure that the division operates as an innovative, dynamic, diverse and high-performing office that respects diversity, ethics and integrity, and has a strong focus on results.
• Ascertain that systems of internal control are laid down and operate effectively to promote the economic, efficient, and effective use of resources and to safeguard assets.
• Assist the organization to accomplish its objectives by bringing a systematic, disciplined approach to evaluate and improve the effectiveness of risk management, control, and governance processes.
• Provides an independent, objective assurance and consulting activity designed to add value and improve the organ’s operations.  
• Promote awareness and training of best practices in risk management and mitigation.
• Provide advisory services on various areas related to audit, risk management, effectiveness of internal, operations and administrative controls
• Ensure that internal audit activities are in conformity with the International Internal Audit Standards
• Direct performance/value for money audits in order to improve the relevance, impact, effectiveness, efficiency, sustainability and performance of Africa CDC programmes, projects and methods of operation.
• Provides secretarial and logistical services for the Audit Committees, as appropriate.
• Leads an investigation function which examines cases of alleged fraud, misconduct, malfeasance, mismanagement, waste of resources, or other violations of AU’s regulatory framework, directs the operation of secure and confidential channels for receiving reports of alleged misconduct, and ensure that the division’s investigation activities are in conformity with the best practices and principles of investigations;
• Establish a quality assurance and improvement program that covers all aspects of internal oversight activities, and continuously monitors its effectiveness, including periodic internal and external review and ongoing self-assessments, such as tracking time taken to produce reports.

Academic Requirements and Relevant Experience

• Master’s degree in Auditing or Accounting or Financial Management or relevant disciplines with twelve (12) years of work experience of which a minimum of seven (7) years must have been served at a managerial level, out of which five need to involve direct supervisory responsibilities.
• Experience in audit, value for money assurance and investigation in similar international organizations, government or private sector entities, or non-governmental organizations
• Professional qualifications and certifications such as CIA, CPA, CA, CFE, CISA, ACCA, or equivalent are mandatory.
• Proven track record in managing programmes, people and resources, and technical leadership.
• Sound knowledge of general management practices and techniques, including results-based management principles, governance and accountability, use of information and communications technology, and techniques of quality assurance analytics
• Membership in a relevant professional organization will be an added advantage.

Required Skills:

• Managerial skills, political tactfulness, and supervisory skills to achieve documented objectives.
• Ability to initiate and promote collaborative approaches between geographically and culturally disparate partners.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and working relations both internally and externally.
• Ability to identify key strategic opportunities and risks.
• Ability to effectively lead, supervise, mentor, develop and evaluate staff.
• Strong working knowledge of information technology and its implications for business commerce and managing and controlling business operations.
• Depth knowledge in generally accepted finance and accounting policies, principles and controls
• Depth knowledge of accounting theory, auditing standards, investigation guidelines, procedures and related techniques.
• Knowledge of auditing & investigation information systems and systems designs.
• Proficiency in one of the AU working languages (Arabic, English, French, Kiswahili, Portuguese and Spanish); fluency in another AU language is an added advantage.
• Strong business performance management abilities– monitoring the progress of work against schedules, budgets, quality standards, and achieving/exceeding planned economic benefits in a dynamic operating environment.

Leadership Competencies:

• Strategic Perspective
• Developing Others ....
• Change Management....
• Managing Risk..

Core Competencies:

• Building Relationships ....
• Communicating with impact ....
• Foster Accountability Culture
• Learning Orientation.

Functional Competencies:

• Conceptual Thinking
• Job Knowledge and information sharing
• Fosters Innovation
• Drive for Results.

Tenure of Appointment

• The Appointment will be made on a fixed term contract for a period of one (1) year, of which the first three (3) months will be considered as a probationary period.
• Thereafter, the contract may be renewed for a similar period subject to funding availability, satisfactory performance and agreed deliverables.