Internal Auditor at the Management Sciences for Health (MSH)

Job ID: 13-9859
Grade: I
Group/Office: HPG
Dept/Unit: GEN (General)
Project/Program: P000 - Proposal
Reports To: Director, Internal Audit

Overview

• Under the supervision of the Director of Internal Audit, the position holder audits the performance of all financial and operational functions within the Country Operations Management Unit (COMU) for MSH Nigeria.
• S/he will identify gaps in existing control systems, local/field operations and practices, and provide recommendations to strengthen them.
• S/he will identify gaps in knowledge and skills in local Policies, Procedures, and controls; and will provide recommendations for training.
• The Internal Auditor will develop a plan and evaluation tools, and then carry out independent verification of the effectiveness of MSH and donor policies, procedures and standards, local operations, and Nigerian law, by which MSH Nigeria’s financial resources are managed.

Specific Responsibilities
Internal Audit - 90%:

• Verifies that all MSH Nigeria’s financial and operational activities are in compliance with Nigerian laws (tax laws, CSA laws and government pension agency laws, amongst others), USAID (Donor) rules and regulations, and local MSH policies and standards.
• Basing on the risk assessment done by management develops an annual audit plan and schedule to evaluate all COMU functions, including all COMU or remote staff locations.
• Collaborate with MSH Business Systems and Standards (BSS)/Corporate Risk & Compliance team and MSH Corporate Internal Audit team to develop Compliance Monitoring Checklist using MSH policies; and apply the Checklist in monitoring MSH Nigeria’s compliance.
• Periodically reviews and updates the audit programs and compliance monitoring checklist and other tools to stay current with MSH procedures and policies.
• Examines the effectiveness of internal controls and compliance within MSH Corporate policies, SoPs and MSH Nigeria local policies. Identify gaps in policies, procedures and controls systems and provide recommendations for strengthening them. Follow-up on recommendations to verify that they have been implemented and adhered to.
• Tests internal controls, targeting high risk areas. Documents control weaknesses and their impact, and makes recommendations to address these control weaknesses.
• Review periodic project financial reports and other reports submitted to Donors to ensure accuracy, timeliness and reliability of the data in the financial reports by tracing to the financial reporting system (General Ledger), accrual reports, and other data sources within MSH.
• Verifies that management corrective actions in response to internal audit recommendations are substantively implemented.
• Identifies MSH Nigeria employees’ gaps in knowledge and skills in MSH policies, procedures, and internal control systems, and provides recommendations for training.
• In collaboration with Corporate Internal Audit and the General Counsel, conducts thoroughly documented investigations of whistleblower cases, suspected fraud, mismanagement, loss of assets, etc. in coordination with Director of Internal Audit. Prepares detailed reports of each audit /investigation with prioritized findings and recommendations. Presents final reports to the MSH Nigeria Country Leadership Team upon approval by Director of Internal Audit.
• Follows-up on recommendations from the internal and external auditors to ensure the recommendations have been implemented and adhered to. Assesses value for money and makes recommendations for improvement.
• Stays abreast of laws, directives, and current trends in the local legal and NGO environment.
• Facilitates management’s risk assessment for financial and operational landscape to identify high risk, high probability events, and mitigation plan. Provide consulting/advisory services to MSH Nigeria senior management team, 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.
• Meets and presents reports to Country Representative (CR) on a regular basis, or as requested by the CR.

Additional Responsibilities - 10%:

• Prepares quarterly audit, investigations, and status of audit recommendations reports for submission to Corporate Internal Audit and MSH Nigeria Country Representative.
• Performs other duties as assigned by the Director of Internal Audit.

Qualifications and Experience
Required Minimum Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or related area and Accounting certification preferred.
• Professional qualification and membership of a recognized accounting body is a must.
• Over 6 years’ experience of Audit experience.
• Eight years of progressively responsible experience is preferred.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Strong knowledge of word processing applications (MsWord). Ability to use databases, spreadsheets, and PowerPoint helpful
• Fluency in accounting systems required (Quickbooks preferred).
• Extensive familiarity of USAID rules and regulations required.
• Experience in international development programs preferred.
• Excellent planning, management, and organizational skills.
• Proven leadership and interpersonal skill and capacity in negotiation and conflict management.
• Professional proficiency in English required
• Should be able to travel at least 40% of travel

Competencies:

• Professional ethics: Promotes and applies professional ethics
• Internal audit management: Develops and manages the internal audit function
• Governance, risk and control: Applies a thorough understanding of governance, risk and control appropriate to the organization
• Business acumen: Maintains expertise of the business environment, industry practices and specific organizational factors
• Communication: Communicates with impact
• Persuasion and collaboration: Persuades and motivates others through collaboration and cooperation
• Critical thinking: Applies process analysis, business intelligence and problem solving techniques
• Internal audit delivery: Delivers internal audit engagements