Oversee critical operational tasks, including managing budgets, optimizing resource allocation, and ensuring adherence to compliance standards. Lead cross-functional teams to drive project execution, fostering collaboration and accountability among team members. Develop and implement strategic initiatives to enhance productivity, streamline workflows, and achieve organizational objectives. Monitor performance metrics, analyze data trends, and present actionable insights to senior leadership to support informed decision-making. Serve as the primary liaison with external stakeholders, maintaining strong relationships and negotiating key agreements. Ensure compliance with industry regulations, internal policies, and best practices while mitigating potential risks. Provide mentorship and coaching to junior staff, promoting professional growth and skill development.
Direct the creation and authorization of annual and multiyear audit plans grounded in risk, encompassing both internal and partnership audits, which will establish the framework for defining the scope of internal controls testing for subsequent review and approval by the AFRC.
Deliver objective analysis and strategic guidance on emerging institutional risks, evolving regulatory frameworks, donor compliance standards, and international trends, ensuring alignment with governance expectations.
To establish and uphold robust audit policies, procedures, and best practices—including standardized operating protocols—this role will evaluate the efficacy of the institute’s control mechanisms and ensure their continuous improvement.
Strategically oversee the execution of audits across every audit cycle to ensure alignment with the approved audit plan, institutional risk priorities, and established quality standards.
Oversee the development, deployment, and evaluation of governance frameworks designed to monitor audit actions and remediation results, utilizing digital auditing tools, data analytics, automation, and technology-driven assurance methods.
Deliver objective guidance to the AFRC and the Director General on governance performance, institutional accountability, risk exposure, and internal control systems.
Ensure high-risk issues and control deficiencies are escalated promptly via established channels, conduct periodic assessments to monitor the progress of remediation efforts, and enforce formal accountability measures with clearly defined deadlines to ensure full resolution.
To ensure alignment with INRI’s strategic goals, institutional risk tolerance, enterprise risk registers, and evolving operational risks, internal audit priorities must be carefully coordinated.
Ensure the institution maintains robust preparedness, resilience, and business continuity measures to uphold operational sustainability and crisis response effectiveness by assessing the adequacy of risk management practices across operational, financial, compliance, cybersecurity, and other reputational risk areas.
Provide visionary leadership for the Internal Audit function, establishing strategic direction, key priorities, and necessary capabilities while cultivating a culture of high performance and independent assurance.
Responsible for designing and implementing recurring training initiatives aimed at enhancing understanding of internal controls and policy updates to promote institutional efficacy.
Conduct comprehensive special audit evaluations to ensure the appropriate scope, independence, and reporting are maintained, with findings communicated to the Board or the Director General.
The incumbent will spearhead the enhancement of the team’s capabilities while fostering robust risk management practices, in collaboration with the Risk Management Committee, to cultivate a strong culture of proactive risk evaluation and mitigation across the organization.
Ensure the optimal and efficient utilization of financial and other resources across the function, maintaining rigorous oversight to drive effectiveness and accountability.
Uphold the Internal Audit function’s independence and objectivity in accordance with International Internal Audit Standards (IIA) and industry best practices.
Partner with key stakeholders throughout CGIAR to cultivate robust working relationships, thereby enhancing coordinated assurance and knowledge exchange across the organization.
Execute any additional responsibilities deemed necessary to fulfill operational objectives or support organizational needs.
Qualifications
A master’s degree in accounting, finance, commerce, business administration, or a closely related discipline is required.
A recognized professional certification, such as CIA, CPA, CISA, or an equivalent credential, is required.
Hold active membership with an esteemed professional body or bodies pertinent to the field.
Seeking candidates with at least twelve years of pertinent professional experience, preferably within a related field.
Proficiency in quality assurance and the implementation of risk-based auditing methodologies is essential, supported by a proven track record in the field.
Seasoned professionals with extensive expertise in ethics and fraud investigations, financial auditing, governance protocols, risk management strategies, and internal control frameworks are sought.
Senior professionals with extensive backgrounds in leading and overseeing internal audit functions are encouraged to apply. Candidates should possess a proven track record in senior management roles within audit departments, demonstrating expertise in strategic oversight and operational leadership.
Seasoned professionals with a proven track record in multicultural settings within donor-funded or development/research organizations are encouraged to apply.
Proficient analytical skills are essential, supported by meticulous attention to detail and expertise in crafting advanced reports.
Proven ability to communicate effectively and manage stakeholder relationships, demonstrating skill in engaging and persuading senior-level executives.
Proficiency in regulatory frameworks, legal principles, and economic environments pertinent to internal audit is required.
Proven expertise in understanding and implementing institutional policies, procedures, and governance frameworks, with a capacity to rapidly assess, decode, and execute intricate policy details within a fast-paced setting.
A strong command of information technology systems and digital audit tools is required.
Strategic thinking is essential, along with the ability to anticipate enterprise-wide risks and opportunities.
Qualifications
MBA/MSc/MA , Professional Certificate
Experience Required
12 years
