Manager, Internal Controls at Oando

Job Purpose

• The Assistant Manager, Internal Controls supports the effective implementation and maintenance of the organization’s internal controls framework in alignment with the company’s strategic objectives, regulatory requirements, and partner expectations.
• Working under the guidance of the Internal Controls Manager, this role assists in overseeing internal control activities and contributes to ongoing monitoring, assessment, and improvement efforts. Key responsibilities include:
• The Incumbent promotes a strong internal control culture by supporting adherence to professional standards such as COSO or equivalent frameworks. This role requires professionalism, attention to detail, and a commitment to continuous improvement in internal control practices.

Main Responsibility Areas
Strategic:

• Support the evaluation of governance, risk management, and internal control systems by assisting in reviews and assessments that provide reasonable assurance these systems are functioning effectively to support the achievement of the organization’s objectives.
• Assist the Manager, Internal Controls and other stakeholders in aligning the internal control framework with enterprise risk management and compliance requirements.
• Contribute to the planning and coordination of audits conducted by partners and regulatory agencies and assist in tracking remediation plans for findings from such engagements.
• Develop a solid understanding of key business processes, strategic priorities, and the systems, people, and financial resources that support them to provide relevant control insights.
• Provide support in evaluating the adequacy of internal controls across key business processes, including IT systems, to help ensure alignment with business objectives and regulatory compliance
• Assist in the preparation of reports and dashboards that offer insight into the effectiveness of internal controls, opportunities for improvement, and the adoption of best practices to drive operational efficiency.
• Help promote a culture of strong internal controls by supporting the integration of control responsibilities into business operations and encouraging accountability at all levels.
• Contribute to the maintenance of high standards of internal control awareness and ethical conduct across the organization, in line with Oando’s core values (TRIPP).
• Support efforts to enhance the integrity of organizational data, systems, and processes by participating in the continuous improvement of the internal control framework.
• Ensure internal control activities are in line with established standards such as COSO, and support their integration with broader compliance, risk management, and governance initiatives

Operational:

• Assist in the development and implementation of an enterprise-wide internal control framework by supporting documentation, testing, and reporting activities.
• Support the identification and assessment of inherent and emerging risks across operational and support functions and help define corresponding control requirements to mitigate these risks.
• Contribute to the assessment and enhancement of controls embedded within key business processes to promote operational efficiency, regulatory compliance, and risk mitigation.
• Monitor and follow up on the status of control remediation plans and action items arising from internal audits, risk assessments, and external reviews, ensuring timely resolution and escalation as needed.
• Provide guidance and oversight to junior internal controls staff as required, and coordinate efforts with other assurance teams such as Internal Audit, Risk, Compliance, and External Audit.
• Ensure accurate and consistent documentation of internal controls, process flows, and testing outcomes to support audit readiness and compliance efforts.
• Assist in coordinating control review activities across departments and encourage collaboration to embed internal controls into new systems, projects, and business initiatives.
• Support the Manager, Internal Controls by preparing relevant inputs for control-related presentations to Executive Management and the Audit Committee.
• Participate in special projects, investigations, or advisory reviews involving control assessments or enhancement of governance frameworks, as assigned.
• Contribute to the development and tracking of performance metrics and key performance indicators (KPIs) for internal control activities and support overall risk awareness initiatives.
• Assist in the design and delivery of training programs aimed at increasing internal control understanding and capability across the organization.
• Provide input on improvements to internal policies, procedures, and systems to enhance control effectiveness and reduce operational and compliance risks.
• Perform other related tasks and responsibilities as assigned by the Manager, Internal Controls in support of the function’s strategic goals

Person Specifications

• Degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics, or other related area
• Membership of a recognized Accounting Professional Body (ACA / ACCA, or equivalent ) will be added advantage
• A minimum of 7 years of combined post qualification experience in audit and risk management, 3 years of which must have been at Management level.

Core Competencies:

• Good understanding of the Oil and Gas industry, including key operational and regulatory risks.
• Foundational experience in internal control design, assessment, and monitoring.
• Working knowledge of Information Systems control principles and their application in business processes.
• Familiarity with ERP systems such as Oracle ERP and SAP; practical experience in a control-related capacity within these environments is an advantage.
• Ability to support enterprise-wide risk assessments by assisting in the identification of key operational, financial, and technology-related risks.
• Experience assisting in the development or implementation of internal control frameworks, policies, or procedures aimed at strengthening governance.
• Basic proficiency in evaluating the effectiveness of controls in ERP systems, particularly Oracle and SAP, with the willingness to deepen knowledge.
• Competence in control testing, process documentation, and monitoring of remediation actions.
• Solid organizational and coordination skills to support multiple control initiatives and audits concurrently.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify potential control gaps and support the design of risk-based solutions.
• Ability to draft clear and concise reports and presentations for internal use; confident in presenting findings to internal stakeholders.
• Self-driven and proactive, with a collaborative mindset and willingness to work across functions to support effective control implementation.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office tools (Excel, Word, PowerPoint); familiarity with control monitoring tools such as TeamMate is an added advantage.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Adaptable to dynamic work environments, able to manage competing priorities, meet deadlines, and maintain attention to detail

Key Performance Indicators

• Percentage of key business processes with documented and tested internal controls in line with the internal control framework (e.g., COSO).
• Timeliness and effectiveness of control remediation, measured by the percentage of identified control deficiencies that are resolved within agreed timelines.
• Number and severity of control issues raised by internal or external auditors, or regulatory bodies, attributable to control weaknesses.
• Percentage of high-risk areas with implemented and functioning controls, as determined through risk assessments and control reviews.
• Percentage of control self-assessments or walkthroughs completed versus the annual plan.
• Quality and timeliness of internal control reports and dashboards, including actionable recommendations and follow-up tracking.
• Stakeholder satisfaction score from process/control owners, based on surveys or feedback following control assessments or support engagements.
• Reduction in repeat control deficiencies, indicating improvement in sustainability of control enhancements.
• Level of integration of internal controls into new systems or process changes, tracked by early involvement in project reviews or process redesigns.
• Compliance with internal controls methodology and applicable frameworks or standards (e.g., COSO, SOX if applicable).