Head Of Internal Audit at Unifi Group

Role Purpose 

• As an unsecured consumer lender operating in multiple Sub-Saharan African markets, Unifi faces elevated credit, fraud, operational, and technology risks. This role plays a critical part in safeguarding the business, protecting customers, and supporting sustainable growth.
• The position combines strategic leadership, people management, and hands-on operational audit execution, with a strong focus on anti-fraud controls (internal and external), data-driven assurance, and regulatory compliance.
• A sense of adventure, humor, and commitment to the mission of delivering impact in developing markets are essential.

Responsibilities

Leadership & Team Management

• Lead, develop, and manage a team of approximately ten Internal Audit & Compliance professionals located across multiple African countries.
• Set clear objectives, performance standards, and development plans for the Internal Audit team, as well as the Compliance team.
• Build a high-performance, ethical, and collaborative audit culture aligned with Unifi’s values.
• Ensure consistent audit methodologies, quality standards, and reporting across all geographies.
• Provide coaching, technical guidance, and mentoring to team members.

Internal Audit Strategy & Planning

• Develop and maintain a risk-based Internal Audit & Compliance strategy and annual audit plan, aligned to Unifi’s risk profile, business strategy, and regulatory environment.

Ensure audit coverage across all key risk areas, including:

• Processing of credit lifecycle (origination, underwriting, revenue calculations, collections, provisioning, write-offs)
• Fraud risk (internal fraud, external fraud, cyber-enabled fraud)
• IT systems control assurance.
• Financial controls and reporting.
• Regulatory compliance.
• Branch operations.
• Continuously reassess audit priorities in response to emerging risks, incidents, and business changes.

Operational & Assurance Activities 

• Oversee and, where necessary, personally execute complex or high-risk audits, investigations, and thematic reviews.
• Evaluate the design and operating effectiveness of internal controls across processes, systems, and entities.
• Ensure timely, accurate, and practical audit reports with clear findings, root-cause analysis, and actionable recommendations.
• Track management action plans and provide assurance on remediation effectiveness.
• Deliver value-adding insights that go beyond compliance to improve efficiency, controls, and decision-making.

Fraud Risk & Investigations 

• Lead Unifi’s Internal Audit contribution to fraud prevention, detection, and response.
• Assess the effectiveness of anti-fraud frameworks, controls, and monitoring tools across all countries.
• Conduct or oversee investigations into suspected internal misconduct, collusion, and external fraud schemes.
• Work closely with management, Data & Risk, IT, and operations functions on fraud analytics, early-warning indicators, and control enhancements.
• Report significant fraud matters to senior management and the Finance & Risk Committees

Governance, Risk & Stakeholder Engagement 

• Present audit plans, key findings, trends, and risk themes to the Finance & Risk Committee and Board.
• Coordinate effectively with Compliance, External Audit, and Regulators where required.
• Maintain strong working relationships with the Finance & Risk Committee, executive management, and country leadership teams.
• Act as a trusted advisor to management while preserving independence and objectivity.

Standards, Methodology & Quality Assurance 

• Maintain and continuously improve audit methodologies, tools, and reporting standards.
• Oversee quality assurance and improvement programmes for Internal Audit.

Requirements

• Relevant professional qualification (e.g., CIA, CA(SA), ACCA, CISA, or equivalent)
• 10–15 years’ experience in Internal Audit, Risk, or Assurance roles.
• Fraud investigation or forensic audit experience.
• Proven experience leading and managing teams.
• Experience in financial services, consumer lending, microfinance, or fintech, preferably in Sub-Saharan Africa.
• Comfortable working across multiple countries or jurisdictions.
• Passion for Africa and commitment to making an impact in developing markets.
• Willingness to travel moderately to Unifi operating countries for audits and stakeholder engagement.

Closing Date 09 March 2026