Chief Internal Auditor (PAGL.1) at the African Development Bank Group (AfDB) Full Time

Job Title: Chief Internal Auditor (PAGL.1)

Position Number: 50001345
Location: Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire
Position Grade: PL3

The Complex

• The President, plans, supervises, and manages the business of the Bank Group. Under the direction of the Boards of Directors, the President conducts the business of the Bank and the African Development Fund and manages operations and activities in accordance with the Agreements establishing the African Development Bank and the African Development Fund.
• The President supervises several Departments and Units including Office of the President; Independent Development Evaluation Department; Integrity and Anti-Corruption Department; Compliance Review and Mediation Unit; Secretariat to the Sanctions Appeals Board; Administrative Tribunal; Office of the Auditor General; Group Risk Management Directorate;  General Counsel and Legal Services Department; Communication and External Relations Department; Staff Integrity and Ethics Office and Office of the Secretary General & General Secretariat.

The Hiring Department / Division

• The Office of the Auditor General provides independent, objective assurance and consulting services designed to add value and improve the Bank’s operations.
• It also assists the Bank in accomplishing its strategic objectives by bringing a systematic and disciplined approach to evaluate and improve the effectiveness of risk management, control, and governance processes.
• The Office of the Auditor General is responsible for planning, organizing, directing, and controlling a broad, comprehensive program of auditing and consulting/advisory services both internally and externally including, without limitation, all projects and programs of the Bank group.

The Position

• The overall objective of this position is to provide independent and objective assurance and consulting and advisory services in compliance with established professional internal auditing standards.
• The Chief Internal Auditor will perform or lead a team of auditors and audit assistants in performing complex audits and advisory / consulting services with a strong focus on corporate, finance, information technology, and data analytics.

Key Functions

• Under the supervision and guidance of the Division Manager, the Chief Internal Auditor will:
• Lead Audit Teams / Plan to conduct audits of highly diversified Bank-wide activities or operations relating to the corporate, financial, administrative, information technology, and operational functions of the Bank.
• Plan audits and determine the audit objectives, scope, criteria, and methodology to be used as well as staff and budget resources required to ensure that the audit adequately covers the selected area of the Bank’s corporate, finance, information technology, and operations activities, systems, and controls.
• Decide on the applicable audit approach and techniques to facilitate the conduct of the audit and prepare the planning memorandum for the Manager’s review and the Auditor General’s approval.
• Prepare an Audit Programme or modify existing ones (if any), to ensure a systematic approach to the audit and ensure that the scope of the audit is covered adequately. In addition, prepare the risk and control assessment for the audit programme.
• Conduct the fieldwork by collecting data, documents, and information, testing, and analyzing such information, and identifying weaknesses, causes, and effects of variances, errors, non-compliance with rules, regulations, policies, procedures, etc., with a strong focus on using data analytics.
• Supervise and review the work performed by other Auditors and Consultants to ensure that objectives are achieved; working papers adequately support the findings, conclusions, and recommendations, and the report is accurate, objective, clear, concise, constructive, and timely while ensuring efficiency and effective use of the auditing management software.
• Lead or participate in Audit Missions to Bank’s Regional / Country Offices, Member Countries’ organizations, Project Executing Agencies, and Sites.  Advice on compliance with Bank Rules, Regulations, Policies, and Procedures to improve project implementation.
• Select, present, and discuss audit findings of particularly significant impact or recommendations for substantial changes in procedures, workflow, or organization, with concerned Managers and Directors to obtain their agreement.
• Prepare the Preliminary Audit Report containing observations, conclusions, and recommendations to strengthen control, safeguard the assets or reputation of the Bank, improve working procedures, and ensure that resources are efficiently utilized, under the supervision of the Manager for transmission to the Auditor General.
• Prepare the Final Internal Audit Report after incorporating the comments of the auditee Departments/units under the supervision of the Manager for transmission to the Auditor General.
• Monitor the implementation of audit recommendations to ensure that the weaknesses observed are corrected and do not recur.
• Give advice to other departments and Committees on matters relating to internal control, audit of Bank corporate, finance and information technology to facilitate their decision-making process.
• Propose and prepare broad audit guidelines, audit manuals, procedures, and standards for internal audit activities to ensure consistency of audit approach, independence, objectivity, professional proficiency, and due care.
• Lead/Coordinate the External Quality Assurance Reviews to facilitate the work of the reviewer by collecting all the data, documents, and information requested in all Departments, sending survey questionnaires to all Directors, arranging and attending their meetings with Directors and Top Management, reading and commenting on draft Reports.
• Train, direct, and counsel less experienced Internal Auditors in the performance of audit assignments to ensure compliance with audit procedures, proficiency, and time schedules.
• Lead/Coordinate the preparation of the department’s statutory reports like the quarterly and annual activity report including implementation status of management action, and annual work program, among other reports as may be requested by the Manager and/or the Auditor General.
• Participate/carry out knowledge management activities within and outside the department like facilitating training events, retreats, staff orientation programs, and other client liaison activities.
• Provide technical updates to the audit team on new developments in the profession.

Competencies (Skills, Experience, and Knowledge)

• A minimum of Master’s Degree in Audit, Finance, Accounting, or Business Administration, preferably combined with an internationally recognized professional Accounting / Auditing Qualification (i.e., Chartered / Certified Public Accountant, Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) designation).
• A minimum of seven (7) of auditing experience in an internationally recognized professional accounting firm or an International Financial Institution, including, three (3) years in leading teams of auditors. Information technology audit experience and practical data analytics experience would be a plus.
• Sound knowledge and auditing experience of corporate, finance, and information systems such as SAP Hana system, Enterprise Risk Management (ERM), and Integrated Audit Approach.
• Good interpersonal, supervisory, communication, and analytical skills. Demonstrated capacity to influence and inspire team members.
• Ability to deal with sensitive issues in a multi-cultural environment and to build effective working relations with colleagues.
• Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines while ensuring quality and exceeding client expectations.
• Ability to apply international audit standards to deliver quality audit reports in line with the Bank’s strategic needs/situation.
• Ability to communicate effectively (written and oral) in English or French, preferably with a working knowledge of the other language.
• Proficiency in the use of computer-aided audit tools like ACL; and audit management systems like Audit Board, Pentana, Teammate, etc. Experience in the use of data analytical tools is a plus.

Application Closing Date
22nd November, 2023.