Head of Audit: Change Assurance at Absa

Job Summary

• Accountable for defining the audit plan for relevant portfolio and part of the Group Audit Plan and manage the delivery of the audit plan for the portfolio to ensure that audit assignments are executed in compliance with the relevant IA assurance methodology.

Job Description

• An opportunity has become available for an experienced Change Assurance Leader to join our Group Internal Audit Change Assurance team. The incumbent will evaluate all aspects of portfolio, program and project change, and operate within a collaborative, agile environment to deliver value-added opinions and recommendations.
• You will provide effective assurance in line with the banks governance, risk management, and internal control processes and be responsible and accountable for the quality of the audit work performed by the audit team. Strong Leadership experience in managing teams and extensive knowledge of Change, IT Systems and Internal Controls is required to succeed in the role.

Assurance:

• Support the Portfolio Audit Executive to define appropriate coverage strategy and audit plan, taking into consideration the Audit Risk Appetite, the current and expected business environment, the regulatory requirements and the resourcing levels within the Function
• Escalate to relevant BU / Function Executive member and executive management where appropriate, critical control and risk management issues, weaknesses or irregularities of material significance in the existence of application of controls
• Production of concise and insightful commentary and information for BU / Function supported.  Reporting quality to insightful and meet the high-quality standards required.

Teamwork:

• Assign audit and line management responsibilities, providing direction and guidance to direct reports while maintaining an in-depth knowledge of activities in each area
• Guide, review and approve work carried out on audit assignments to ensure the scope of work is appropriate, controls are correctly identified, assessed, and carried out in accordance with IA Methodology, policies, professional standards and budget
• Accountable for the quality of the work performed and lead the audit team in the effective and efficient delivery of the audit plan
• Promote a culture of efficiency through use of expert knowledge, agile and automated auditing techniques and commercial drivers to focus and deliver the audit plan and support the IA strategic direction

Relationship Management:

• Establish strong relationships with senior leadership within the Business Unit (BU) /Function using superior influencing and negotiation skills to ensure audit reports are delivered successfully and proactively contribute to the risk and control environment of that business
• Lead discussions with senior leaders in the BU / Function regarding audit observations and issues, consulting with colleagues across IA where required.  Act in an advisory capacity without undermining the independence of the Function to ensure client and customer viewpoints are considered in decision making and recommendations

Commercial:

• Build a deep understanding of the strategy of the BU / Function of the organisation responsible for, which may impact the audit plan, including social/economic/technological trends in all client and customer groups; drive team to pursue similar understanding
• Apply interpretative thinking to enable problem solving in complex and sensitive situations; act as point of escalation where senior leadership is required
• Know our clients/customers and understand how the team’s work benefits them

Stakeholder Management and Leadership:

• Build relationships with the business on key initiatives, attending key committees and sharing their view of the business’ control assessments
• Lead a team of professional and subject matter experts, who may be line managers themselves
• Embed the performance culture and role model Group values and behaviours
• Actively contribute to the wider talent development of the function through coaching, mentoring, providing constructive feedback. Attract and retain talented individuals who can contribute to the Audit Function of the future, building a strong pipeline of skills and capabilities

Other responsibilities include but not limited to:

• Build strong stakeholder relationships at a senior level, manage stakeholder expectations, maintaining a balance between positive relationships and grounded, quality reporting
• Connecting the dots and sharing relevant insights, in support of the board reporting cycles
• Nurturing healthy Change Assurance practices in the team, but also creating wider capabilities in Internal Audit for Change Assurance
• Drive audit planning and the appropriate level of synthesis to support accurate audit opinions
• Drive the automation of Change Assurance practices within the portfolio, in alignment with the overall assurance objectives of the Function
• Create and promote a positive work culture within the team and contribute to the overall portfolio and Function culture
• Monitor and manage the wellbeing of all team members throughout the lockdown period and beyond
• Support the transformation of the internal audit function, in terms of future-fit skills, automation and culture
• Guide, review and approve work carried out on audit assignments to ensure the scope of work is appropriate, controls are correctly identified, assessed and carried out in accordance with IA Methodology, policies, professional standards and budget
• Apply interpretive thinking to enable problem solving in complex and sensitive situations; act as point of escalation where senior leadership is required
• Promote a culture of efficiency through use of expert knowledge, agile and automated auditing techniques and commercial drivers to focus and deliver the audit plan and support the IA strategic direction
• Build relationships with the business on key initiatives, attending key committees and sharing their view of the business’s control assessments
• Actively contribute to the wider talent development of the team through coaching, mentoring, providing constructive feedback
• Attract and retain talented individuals who can contribute to the Change Assurance capability of the future, building a strong pipeline of skills and capabilities

Experience and Qualification:

• Relevant B Degree
• Ten years plus assurance experience, of which at least three should have been in a senior project assurance capacity
• Supporting project management certification, e.g. PMP, Prince2 or DSDM.

Education

• Postgraduate Degrees and Professional Qualifications: Financial Sciences (Required), Postgraduate Degrees and Professional Qualifications: Statistics (Required)

Absa Bank Limited is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. In compliance with the Employment Equity Act 55 of 1998, preference will be given to suitable candidates from designated groups whose appointments will contribute towards achievement of equitable demographic representation of our workforce profile and add to the diversity of the Bank.

Absa Bank Limited reserves the right not to make an appointment to the post as advertised