Internal Audit/Compliance Specialist at TA Connect

Reports To: Executive Director

Position Summary
The Internal Audit/Compliance Specialist works in partnership, collaboration, and support with the Executive Director and the leadership team in conducting risk assessments, and compliance verification activities.
Plan and execute activities for successful delivery of internal controls and compliance verification and assurance that TAConnect objectives are achieved, and assets and reputation are safeguarded.
In coordination with the Executive Director, s/he will develop plans and evaluation tools, and then carry out independent appraisals and verifications of the effectiveness of TAConnect and donor policies, procedures and standards, and applicable Nigeria law, which TAConnect Nigeria manages financial resources.
S/he will review and evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of operations, reliability of financial reporting, compliance with applicable laws and the safeguarding of assets. S/he will plan, perform, and report on internal assessments to ensure that financial control, financial guidelines of donor organization(s) and other control procedures are in place and are being properly implemented and managed on TAConnect deployments.
S/he will also be responsible for advising and monitoring quality standards of operations and value for money.
S/he will monitor and follow-up on recommendations from the internal and external auditors to ensure the recommendations have been implemented and adhered to.  
Under the direction of the Executive Director, s/he will conduct thoroughly documented investigations of whistleblower cases, and suspected fraud and will directly interface with the Executive Director on these or other specific cases.
Specific Responsibilities
Internal Audit/Compliance:

• Ensure that all TAConnect Nigeria financial and operational activities are in compliance with Nigeria law (tax laws, CSA laws and government pension agency laws), donor rules and regulations, and TAConnect policies and standards.
• Develops an annual customized compliance monitoring plan, including evaluation tools, standards, ethical considerations, and schedule to evaluate all project locations, and to revisit sites needing extra attention.
• Develops compliance framework for the organization, including compliance checklists for the various business processes, transaction classes, country laws governing NGO operations, and specific donor requirements.
• Periodically reviews and updates the compliance-monitoring checklist and other tools to stay current with TAConnect procedures and policies, donor policies and Nigeria law.
• Examines the effectiveness of internal controls and compliance within TAConnect policy framework, identifies gaps in procedures and controls systems, and provides recommendations to the Country
• Leadership Team for strengthening them. Follows-up on recommendations to ensure they have been implemented and adhered to.
• Tests internal controls, targeting high-risk areas, including deployments, procurements, inventory control, cash advance management, payroll and Fleet Management. Documents internal control weaknesses, compliance deviations, and their impact, and makes recommendations to address these weaknesses.
• Identifies gaps in knowledge and skills and provides recommendations for training. May be requested to provide training directly to staff.
• Prepares detailed reports of each compliance/audit review and other task assignments, with prioritized findings and recommendations. Presents final reports to the Executive Director.
• When necessary, conduct investigations of whistleblower cases, suspected fraud, mismanagement, loss of assets, etc.
• Follows-up on recommendations from the external auditors and other consultants to ensure the recommendations have been implemented and adhered to.
• Stays abreast of laws, directives, and current trends in the legal and NGO environment. 
• Provides risk assessment for financial and operational landscape. Identify high risk, high probability events, and provide recommended mitigation plan.   Provide ad hoc risk assessments for specific scenarios by request.
• Provide ad-hoc advice, helping staff to achieve the goal of establishing sound risk management and internal control systems; offer practical advice on how best to comply with financial policy and donor guidelines.
• Establish and maintain TAConnect Risk Register

Internal Audit/Compliance:

• Prepares quarterly compliance, audit, investigations, and status of audit recommendations reports for submission to the senior leadership team.
• Meets with leadership on a regular basis, or as requested to provide professional guide on relevant issues
• Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor

REQUIRED SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS
Minimum Education:

• Bachelor's Degree in Accounting or Business Management or related area. MSC in a related field will be an added advantage. Preferred:
• Advanced Degree preferred
• Professional Certification in Accounting, Internal Audit, and Fraud Examination

Minimum Experience:
Six plus years of experience in compliance, risk management or audit required.
Knowledge and Skills:

• Extensive familiarity of diverse donor regulations including and not limited to Bill & Melinda Gate
• foundation, USAID, FCDO and other
• Experience in international development programs preferred.
• Excellent planning, management, and organizational skills.
• Proven leadership and interpersonal skill.
• Analytical Skills and IT audit knowledge
• Knowledge of Risk-based, Agile Audit and financial audit and controls
• Knowledge of Risk Management, IT audit, investigation, audit analytical tool and ERP
• Excellent organizational and multitasking capabilities (frauds, IIA standards etc)
• Good team spirit, goal-oriented and target focused
• Good command of English language communication and presentation skills
• Good initiative, analytical thinking and strategic focus.