Deputy Internal Audit and Compliance Head of Department

06-August-2024 

 About Action Against Hunger 

Action Against Hunger-USA is a global humanitarian organization that takes decisive action against the causes and effects of hunger. We save the lives of malnourished children and we enable entire communities to be free from hunger. With more than 8,000 staff in over 50 countries, our programs reached 17 million people in 2019. 

 About the Country Program in Ethiopia

 Action Against Hunger has been operational in Ethiopia since 1984 responding to both chronic and acute needs through a multi-sectoral strategy where nutrition, Food Security and Livelihoods, WASH, and Mental Health and Psychosocial Support activities are integrated to have a meaningful impact on people’s resilience. Action Against Hunger currently operates in 5 different regions (Oromia, Somali, Amhara, Benishangul Gumuz, and Gambella) with a portfolio of 20m USD/year of emergency, resilience building, research, and innovation programs. We have a country team of around 600 staff in 17 regional and satellite offices. Our main donors in Ethiopia in 2020/2021 are BHA, ECHO, Europaid, UNHCR, UNICEF, GFFO, BPRM, SIDA, EHF, WFP, CIAA, and others. 

I. Summary of position 

The Deputy Internal Audit and Compliance HoD is responsible for supporting the Audit and Compliance HoD, in planning, executing, and managing internal and external audit activities, compliance procedures, and fraud response processes within an organization. The position holder will ensure compliance with internal policies, donor requirements, and statutory regulations. By an alliance with the Audit and Compliance HoD, he/she will identify risks, develop audit plans, conduct internal audits, provide recommendations for improving processes and controls, and provide independent assurance on risk management, internal control processes, and safeguards for assets and operational effectiveness. 

Purpose 

The Deputy Internal Audit and Compliance HoD is responsible for ensuring that the organization's operations comply with Action Against Hunger, donors, and regulatory government bodies,  laws, regulations, and internal policies. He/She conducts regular internal audits to assess the effectiveness of financial controls, risk management, and governance processes. Their role includes identifying areas for improvement, providing recommendations to enhance efficiency and effectiveness, providing fraud and corruption awareness training, and ensuring that ACF maintains transparency and accountability in its activities. By doing so, they help protect the organization from potential risks and ensure its operations align with its mission and values.

Accountability:

The Deputy Internal Audit and Compliance HoD will report directly to the Audit and Compliance HoD. 

Engagement: 

The Deputy Internal Audit and Compliance HoD will work closely with the Audit and Compliance HoD with the following responsibilities: Risk assessment and management, internal audit planning and execution, compliance monitoring, policy development and review process, partnership engagement on the due diligence process, and compliance verification exercises, execution and reporting on the internal audit findings, fraud prevention and detection process, training and capacity building of ACF’s staffs and external stakeholders on the area of fraud, audit, risk management, and compliance functions. 

Delivery:

The position holder will perform and provide periodic reports for the responsibilities mentioned in the “Engagement” section to the Audit and Compliance HoD. 

II. Essential Duties

 Objective 1: Support the Internal and External Audit Functions.

• The position holder is responsible for conducting internal audits of all departments and program sections, as directed by the supervisor and based on the audit plan. 

• Preparing a clear report with action plans, and sharing it with the supervisor for further review and affirmation. 

• The individual is responsible for creating and updating an audit tracker, following up on the audit actions with action owners, and sharing progress monthly with his/ her supervisor.

• Participate in the Donor/External audit functions and ensure that all necessary documents are provided. 

• Ensure pre-audit reviews are conducted before donor / statutory required audit engagements and ensure all the required internal, country, and donor rules and regulations are met.

• Work with various departments to cascade the audit process till the end

• Ensure that the statutory as well as donor auditors' recommendations are implemented appropriately within the set deadline before engaging in any subsequent audits.

• Ensure the audit plan and the audit truckers are updated regularly. 

Objective 2: Risk Management Strategies.

• Support the development and follow-up on the implementation of risk mitigation strategies. 

  • These include: 

    • Identifying and classifying risks to the country's operation, determining appropriate management actions, and timely completion of the risk register.

    • Follow and monitor the agreed-upon mitigation and risk management activities progress to make sure the required corrective action is implemented on time and recommend to his/her supervisor if further action needs to take place.

    • Support employees in developing risk management standards to enhance their strategies for managing, eliminating, or limiting setbacks.

Objective 3: Anti-Fraud Management and Capacity Development

• As requested by the supervisor, the role involves the process of undertaking investigations, when fraud is suspected and participating in Ad Hoc and investigative assignments. 

• The role involves a first-hand review of a fraud report, providing it to the supervisor along with supporting evidence.

• The role involves supporting and monitoring the implementation of an Anti-Fraud Policy that is based on zero tolerance for fraud.

• Throughout the fraud response process, the role requires maintaining high levels of confidentiality and professionalism during and after investigations. 

• Provide employee, and external stakeholder fraud awareness and training. 

Objective 4: Assist the process of Audit Planning and Execution

• With collaboration with the Audit and Compliance HoD, develop and implement a comprehensive internal audit plan based on risk assessment.

• Perform audits to assess the effectiveness of internal controls, compliance with policies, and efficiency of operations.

• Review financial and operational processes to ensure accuracy, integrity, and compliance with applicable regulations and guidelines.

• Preparation of preliminary internal audit reports and present audit reports to the supervisor.

• Ensure timely follow-up on audit recommendations to ensure effective implementation. 

• Update the audit action plan regularly and provide it to the supervisor for final validation. 

Objective 5: Conformance of Policies and Procedures  

• Prepare a compliance checklist of all requirements of compliance required by ACF’s internal policies and procedures, its donors, and statutory regulations.

• Monitor changes in laws and regulations that may affect the organization and update compliance programs accordingly.

• Conduct regular compliance reviews on established key controls in all areas of operations (Finance, HR, IT, Logistics, Program, and other operation areas as relevant)  and prepare detailed reports on findings and recommendations, that can be part of the internal audit functions. 

• Prepare reports and update the supervisor on the planned vs. achieved activities every month.

• Assist the manager in the preparation of Action Against Hunger’s donor compliance book. 

• Participate in partnership award management due diligence/capacity assessment process, and conduct partner risk assessments by reviewing the partners' risk management systems and processes. 

• As part of monitoring activities for ACF’s partners; conduct compliance reviews and prepare detailed reports on findings and recommendations. 

• Provide training and support to ACF and its partners staff on compliance, and internal control issues.

Objective 6: Shared Tasks

• Regular field visits to the bases and sub-bases to provide technical support. 

• Provide support in actions assigned by the supervisor. 

• Collaborate with other departments to ensure a cohesive approach to compliance, audit, fraud, and risk management. 

• Provide guidance and support to staff on compliance, audit, and fraud-related issues.

III. Supervisory Responsibilities

• Work closely with the Senior Compliance and Internal Audit Officers 

• Manage, guide, support, and lead the Senior Compliance and Internal Audit Officers day-to-day activities functions.

• With the collaboration of the Audit and compliance HoD, the position holder is responsible to identify gaps among the team members and provide and equip the team with the required/relevant job training/capacity building.

IV. Gender Equality Commitments  

• Foster an environment that supports the values of women and men, and equal access to information.

• Provide a work environment where women and men must be evaluated and promoted based on their skills and performance.

• Respect beneficiaries’ women, men, and children (boys and girls) regardless of gender, sexual orientation, disability, religion. race, color, ancestry, national origin, age, or marital status. 

• Value and respect all cultures. 

V. Fiscal Responsibility

• N/A

VI. Physical Demands 

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to sit for long periods and to concentrate on work, including typing, and turn out heavy volumes of work accurately, within short time frames under stressful situations in the context of a moderately noisy office with many interruptions. Must be able to proofread own work accurately so that only minor corrections are needed on an infrequent basis.

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

VII. Working Conditions, Travel, and Environment

• The duties of the job require regular job attendance at least five days per week. Must be available to work outside normal office hours or on the weekends as required.

• Must be able to travel as required for standard domestic and international business purposes. While performing the duties of this job in the field, the employee may be exposed to precarious settings under high-security risks and/or very basic living conditions and outside weather conditions, as well as to infectious diseases. 

VIII. Required Qualifications and Professional Experience

• A degree in finance and auditing, or a related area of study with a minimum of Seven years of related work experience in auditing, compliance, or related roles, preferably within an INGO or nonprofit environment, and Three years at the managerial level.

• Professional certification CIA (Certified Internal Auditor), CPA (Certified Public Accountant), ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants ) or equivalent is preferred. 

IX. Required Skills & Competencies

• Strong knowledge of auditing standards, regulations, and best practices, Excellent analytical, statistical, Problem-solving, and attention-to-detail skills, Good computer literacy and familiarity with the necessary applications, Effective multitasking and communication skills, Ability to work independently and manage multiple tasks effectively, Strong experience in fraud detection, investigating fraud and anti-fraud training, Proficiency in audit management software and Microsoft Office, etc---

How To Apply

                     APPLICATION PROCEDURE 

If you are interested, please send your application composed of nonreturnable CV, a Covering Letter with “Deputy Internal Audit and Compliance Head of Department-Addis Ababa” written in the subject line, and three references, applicants to the following addresses:

Through www.ethiojobs.net 

Deadline: Friday 16- August - 2024

Action Against Hunger-USA provides all staff with an _attractive salary & benefits package. We provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees & qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, ancestry, national origin, age, handicap, disability, marital status, or status as a veteran. Action Against Hunger-USA complies with all applicable laws governing nondiscrimination in employment