Manager: Internal Audit at Council for Geoscience (CGS)

Overall Job Purpose: 

To provide strategic leadership to Internal Audit function, ensuring the provision of an independent objective assurance and advisory activity that adds value to and improves the CGS’s operations by evaluating and improving the effectiveness of governance, risk, compliance and control management processes. 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Audit Planning & Management

• Provides assurance on governance, risk management, and internal control within CGS.
• Provides strategic direction and operational leadership within the internal audit function in alignment to CGS strategies.
• Develops the CGS Internal Audit Charter and ensures that the methodology and framework is aligned and consistent with the organisational objectives.
• Conducts a review analysis of the identified strategic risks.
• Identifies the auditable areas based on risks identified and prioritisation.
• Develops and formulates the 3 year Rolling Strategic Internal Audit Plan.
• Develops and formulates Annual Internal Audit Plans based on the 3 year Rolling Strategic Internal Audit Plan.
• Proactively leads, manages, and supervises all the internal audit functional activities.
• Oversees and coordinates the implementation of the Internal Audit Plan.
• Communicates audit plans and resource requirements to the Audit and Risk Committee.
• Conducts research into the external environment (national and international) to identify best practices in terms of Assurance, Internal Controls, Risk Based Audits, Governance, etc.
• Develops a comprehensive audit programme for the evaluation of the management controls.
• Implementation of appropriate standards such as IIA and audit techniques, monitoring the effectiveness of corrective actions.

Operations Management

• Examining the policies and procedures (operational and financial controls, compliance with laws and regulations, and safeguarding of assets).
• Managing, coordinating, reviewing and appraising auditing work assignment(s) undertaken by service provider.
• Formulation of an audit methodology as well as an internal audit manuals.
• Preparing the risk and control matrix for audit engagements.
• Coordinate the execution of the Internal Audit plan.
• Drives the preparation and review the internal audit reports and present to management and Audit and Risk Committee.
• Recommend remedial actions on findings identified.
• Ensures the right resource is allocated to the right audit project.
• Conducts reviews on the audit work undertaken.
• Review the updates of International Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing, Treasury Regulations, King Code, and update the Internal Audit Charter and ensure alignment.
• Conducts preliminary investigation on reported fraud and corrupt activities.
• Verify the allegations against the evidence provided or gather the evidence, analyze and compile a report with recommendations.
• Oversee forensic investigations.
• Monitor and follow-up on the implementation status of internal audit recommendations and management action plans.
• Compiles clear and concise follow-up reports on implementation status of recommendations and management action plans, and further present it to the Management and Audit Committee.

Audit & Risk Committee Advisory Services

• Evaluates and analyse the requirement of PFMA, Treasury Regulations, Internal Audit Standards and develops an Internal Audit performance evaluation questionnaire to be completed by Audit and Risk Committee.
• Compiles the evaluation report based on the results of the questionnaire and present it to Audit and Risk Committee for approval.
• Communicating on a regular and ongoing basis with the EXCO management team and Audit and Risk Committee, Auditor General, and Audit Servicer Provider.
• Maintaining effective working relationships with the Audit and Risk Committee.

Project Management

• Manage and lead co-sourced/outsourced Internal Audit Function.
• Ensure the right resource is allocated to the right audit project.
• Monitors progress on audit projects, where there are gaps recommend improvement.
• Address challenges within the audit projects to ensure progress.
• Reviews the audit work and initiate Internal Audit meetings.
• Plan and develop a detailed audit programme for assigned audit projects.
• Identify and assign audit work to other Internal Auditors during the audits.
• Performs analytical reviews and testing procedures during audit projects.
• Prepares and present formal written internal audit reports for audit projects
• Manage and resolve disputes/ conflict that may arise during the audits.

Stakeholder Relations

• Liaise with Audit and Risk Chairperson, Audit and Risk Committee, Management, and Auditor General.
• Attends EXCO, ARC meetings, and other meetings deemed necessary.
• Maintain open communication with Management and Audit and Risk Committee, Auditor General and Audit Servicer Provider.

Quality Assurance

• Ensures implementation of the ISO accreditation process within the business unit.
• Ensures quality control of products and services and compliance with ISO, where appropriate.
• Monitor, evaluate and report on performance indicators.
• Conducts ongoing cutting-edge research and development of cutting-edge in the business unit.
• Executes all audit assignments/ work in accordance with the IIA standards.
• Reviews and ensure audits are conducted in accordance with IIA standards and code of ethics.
• Prepares clear and concise reports for audit and consulting engagements performed.

Financial Management

• Manage and monitor financial resources and assets of internal audit function.
• Executes prudent and proper management of the internal audit budget in line with CGS policies and Public Finance Management Act, 1999.
• Exercise proper implementation of financial management protocols within the business unit in line with CGS policies.
• Reports the expenditure against the budget to the Audit and Risk Committee.

People Management

• Executes prudent and proper human resource management within the business unit.
• Champion the skills development and transfer within the business unit.
• Implementation of the CGS performance management policy within the business unit.
• Mentors and coaches’ staff within the business unit where required.
• Promotes a culture and practices that reflect the CGS values and encourages good performance.
• Determines human resource requirements taking into consideration operational needs, skills scarcity, and retention capability.
• Supports a transformation programme of the CGS aligned with the objectives of the Employment Equity (EE) Act.

KNOWLEDGE

• Knowledge and experience of risk management strategy is essential.
• Knowledge and understanding of risk management, compliance, internal controls, and governance.
• Knowledge on the application of auditing methodologies, frameworks, and tools.
• Exposure and working knowledge of functional and legal requirements relating to the Audit and Risk Committee functions.
• Good understanding of the relationship between risk management and corporate governance.
• Ability to partner and supervise the performance of the outsourced internal audit function.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the principles of identification, assessment, and management of risk.
• Ability to identify and critically evaluate the elements of corporate governance and enterprise risk management in an organisation.
• Demonstrable ability to manage co-sourced internal audit function, in terms of the Professional Practices Framework of the IIA, the PFMA, Treasury Regulations, and the Protocol for Corporate Governance in the Public Sector.
• Demonstrates an understanding of the relationship between internal audit and enterprise risk management.
• Demonstrates an understanding of the specific risks related to operational activities and is able to contribute to the review of risks in operational areas.
• Must demonstrate an understanding of the principles of performance measurement and output targets designed to deliver organisational objectives.
• Working knowledge of the PFMA and Treasury Regulations.
• Fully computer literate with an advanced level of MS Office.
• Excellent communication skills and interpersonal relations.
• Strong organisational, planning, and ability to prioritise.
• Ability to manage staff within an outsourced environment.
• Excellent report writing skills and presentation skills.

BEHAVIOURAL ATTRIBUTES

• Consulting skills.
• Analytical skills.
• Presentation and Facilitation skills.
• Professionalism.
• Integrity, Objectivity, and Independency.
• Confidentiality.
• Proactive and self-motivated.
• Strategic Orientation.
• Change leadership and transformation.
• Relationship/ network building.
• Excellent communication skills that can link to top management to internal audit.
• Persuasion skills.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Grade 12; and.
• B degree (or equivalent), majoring in internal audit or other related subject,
• 5 – 8 years internal audit experience, preferably in the public sector environment.
• Registration with the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) is essential.
• CIA / CA (SA) will be an advantage.