Job Description
Safeguarding:
Save the Children does not tolerate any form of exploitation, abuse, or harassment against any person. It is the responsibility of all employees and representatives to protect all people who come in contact with our organization. Save the Children commits to applying the same standards to all its employees and subject them to the same processes regardless of their position, influence, or reputation within or outside of the organization.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion:
Save the Children International’s Diversity Policy, aims to promote equal opportunity in employment and to ban any kind of discrimination based on sex, age, social class, disability, HIV status, religion, race and ethnicity
ROLE PURPOSE:
The Internal Auditor position is to provide overall support and assistance to the Zambia Country office in management of Risk and Compliance S/he is required to ensure timely, appropriate and informed planning organization, coordination of the internal audit activities for the Country Office, direct and control the functions of internal audit. She/he is responsible for assessing existing risks using up to date risk assessment methodology, assist and advise ESMT about current and emerging risk exposures, based on the assessment, rank them in overall companywide perspective from the internal audit review findings. She/he is required to identify financial, operational, programme and food commodity risk areas, lead the review and appraisal of the system of internal control system within the country office to give reasonable assurance on adherence to acceptable standards, policies, procedures, and legal requirements. She/he also discloses growth areas and application problems and suggests applicable solutions for exceptions and problems disclosed. S/he is expected to provide independent and objective analysis, and to provide assistance on strategic and technical counsel as it relates to risk management and internal audit to ensure the effective stewardship of SCI Zambia CO’s resources. The internal auditor is a key advisor to the Country Director and the Country Office Senior Management Team. Moreover, ensure the technical integrity and clear presentation of audit and risk findings and recommendations, providing advice on policy and implementation of audit recommendations throughout the organization.
SCOPE OF ROLE:
Reports to: Country Director
Staff directly reporting to this post: TBC
KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:
1. To conduct internal audits on all functional departments and provide assistance on external audits if necessary and may be involved in the special projects of the Zambia Country Office
Perform planning procedures.
Evaluate adequacy of internal control system.
Determine tests to verify existence and effectiveness of internal control system.
Perform assigned tests and incorporate results in the evaluation.
Draft accurate observations for areas reviewed.
Draft recommendations that incorporate corrective, detective and preventive measures to address risks and strengthen internal controls. corrective action plans and follow up on periodic basis.
Discuss observations and recommendations with management to assure agreement
Review draft audit reports prepared by both SCI external auditors and partner auditors.
Ensure all the planned audit reviews are conducted based on their schedule and annual audit plan
Provide analysis and identify risk prone financial, procurement and operational areas to properly address them during the review to set priority
Directly carries out ad hoc investigation audits and fraud investigations as required by the Country Director
2. Perform a strategic role in the development of the internal audit function
Develop audit tools and techniques.
Training and mentoring staff on compliance requirements.
3. Build and manage relationships within and outside the department
Network among country office employee to gain understanding of processes, systems etc.
Practice in organizational activities that promote networking and representation of the department.
Respond to queries from field and country office.
4. Update and maintain knowledge and skills of internal audit function
Keep current on significant developments within save the children.
Keep current on developments in the areas of general accounting, auditing, non- profit issues, government regulations and information technology.
Assist in maintaining expertise in audit-related subject matters such as internal controls, business process improvement fraud auditing and investigation.
Provides clear guidance and advise to make necessary amendments whenever the techniques and procedures are found inefficient and ineffective
5. Risk management:
Support the Country Office in identifying internal control gaps and ensure risks are thought through and where relevant, appropriate mitigation measures are in place
With the support of Head of Finance conduct fraud risk assessments with major functions (award management, finance, procurement, programming, MEAL and others), working with the teams on how to accurately assess, monitor and respond to the changing risk environments.
Support the Director of Program and Operation updating the Risk Management Plan;
Update Regional Fraud Lead and relevant stakeholders on a regular basis on findings from fraud risk assessment, lessons learned are shared on a regular basis
Participate in project Kick off meetings
Review of ARA for high risks grants bi-annually
6. Review of cash beneficiary selection process documents
7. On occasion, conduct special investigations and analytical projects.
8. Other activities as assigned by the supervisor.
SKILLS AND BEHAVIOURS (our Values in Practice)
Accountability:
Holds self-accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving and role modelling Save the Children values
Holds the team and partners accountable to deliver on their responsibilities – giving them the freedom to deliver in the best way they see fit, providing the necessary development to improve performance and applying appropriate consequences when results are not achieved
Ambition:
Sets ambitious and challenging goals for themselves (and their team), takes responsibility for their own personal development and encourages others to do the same
Widely shares their personal vision for Save the Children, engages and motivates others
Future orientated, thinks strategically.
Collaboration:
Builds and maintains effective relationships, with their team, colleagues, members and external partners and supporters
Values diversity, sees it as a source of competitive strength
Approachable, good listener, easy to talk to
Creativity:
Develops and encourages new and innovative solutions
Willing to take disciplined risks
Integrity:
Honest, encourages openness and transparency
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
BA Degree in Finance, Accounting, Audit and Management or other related fields
6 years of relevant progressive experience. NGO sector will be added advantage.
Experience in supporting the development organizational strategies, polices and guidelines
Strong Knowledge and experience in project cycle management and risk management
Considerable experience in Budget Management
Good in continuous self –learning
Very good skill in influencing others and conflict management
NGO experience is an advantage
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:
QUALIFIED APPLICANTS SHOULD ONLY ATTACH A COVER LETTER AND AN UPDATED CV.
The closing date for receipt of applications is Monday 28th October 2024. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Save the Children reserves the right to re advertise if suitable applicants are not found.
Save the Children is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer that does not engage in any practices which discriminate against any person employed or seeking employment based on race, colour, religion, gender, national or ethnic origin, age, marital status and we will never ask that you pay for anything as part of the selection processor thereafter.