Manager, Internal Audit X3 at Exxaro Resources

PURPOSE:

• In conjunction with the Head of Internal Audit, to plan and lead the execution of Exxaro’s Internal Audit process across various business and operating units, functional units, and subsidiaries, as deployed, to ensure that the company's activities are conducted in compliance with regulatory requirements, ethical standards, and industry best practices.
• Perform audit and consulting engagements using the established methodology and within budgeted timeframes.
• Consult widely in the review and assessment of systems of control and procedures across various aspects of the business and mining operations, including with Tier 2 assurance providers on safety, environmental and regulatory compliance, taking inputs from key stakeholders into account in the development of a comprehensive annual and rolling 3-year audit plan.
• Continuously evaluate and update the audit plan, considering changes in the industry, regulatory environment, and internal factors.
• Prepare planning documentation, such as project budgets, scoping assessments, audit programs and timelines according to department standards.
• Manage the pipeline of audits required and allocate resources accordingly to ensure the execution of quality audits within agreed timelines and budgets.
• Prepare comprehensive audit reports with clear findings, recommendations, and action plans for management.
• Communicate audit results and recommendations to senior management and the Board of Directors.
• Ensure that stakeholders are accountable for audit findings and provide visibility on remedial actions recommended in the audit reports.
• Provide visibility of progress, on remedial actions to the Head of Internal Audit.
• Act as an advisor to the senior management team by providing insights and recommendations for process improvements, risk mitigation, and strategic decision-making based on audit findings.
• Maintain independence and objectivity in the auditing process, ensuring that audits are conducted without bias and in a manner that upholds the highest standards of integrity.
• Keep abreast of constantly evolving practices, technologies, and relevant changes in South African and global mining and renewable energy regulations and industry standards to proactively address compliance requirements and potential impacts on the company's operations.
• Lead and supervise a team of junior internal auditors, Tier 2 assurance providers and external specialists, providing guidance and supporting the successful delivery of the Internal Audit framework and strategy, engaging, and supporting all team members in realising their full potential.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement and professional development within the Internal Audit team.

MAJOR CHALLENGES:

• Finding a balance between a culture encourages creativity in the organisation vs. the compliance and governance nature of internal auditing.
• Getting buy in from stakeholders to prioritize audit implementing remedial actions from the audit findings.
• Navigating an everchanging environment which may introduce emerging complex risks and evolving regulatory requirements, which needs to be detected through Internal Audit timeously.
• Competing for limited resources in the organisation.

Minimum Requirements
QUALIFICATIONS:

• BCom (Hons) Internal Auditing (Essential/Minimum or)
• B Degree (Hons) (Relevant) (Essential/Minimum)
• Management Development Programme (Essential/Minimum)
• Certificate Internal Auditor (Recommended/Desirable)
• Certificate CISA Information Systems Aud (Recommended/Desirable)
• Chartered Accountant (CA) (Recommended/Desirable)

EXPERIENCE: 

• 10 years A minimum of 10 years of relevant experience in Internal Audit. 
• At least 5 years in managerial position. Proven knowledge of the IIA Code of Ethics, auditing standards and procedures, laws, rules and regulations. High attention to detail and excellent analytical skills. 
• Sound independent judgement. Critical thinker, with an ability to solve complex problems. Willingness to travel locally and internationally. 
• Experience in stakeholder management. Knowledge of project management methodologies, tools and software. 
• Strong planning, organising and integration skills, with proven ability to manage multiple projects and prioritise tasks effectively. 
• Ability to work independently and in a team environment. Highly effective engagement and communication skills with an emphasis on translating technical concepts to variety of project stakeholders. 
• Ability to balance multiple priorities, meet timelines and budget and pro-actively raise scope, schedule, and budget risks.  (Essential/Minimum)    Management

REQUIREMENTS: 

• Psychometric Assessment (Essential/Minimum)
• Certificate of Fitness (Essential/Minimum)
• Institute of Internal Auditors (Recommended/Desirable)
• SA Institute for Chartered Accountants (Recommended/Desirable)

Duties & Responsibilities
Ad hoc Audits    

• Conduct specific ad-hoc audit requests as and when required. 
• Assess the relevance of requests from business management and allocate resources as necessary. 
• Execute special requests by the Audit Committee as and when required. 
• Monitor and track the status of action plans to address audit recommendations.

Execution On Audits    

• Plan the delivery of assigned audits to a high quality and in line with Key Performance Indicators as per the methodology.
•  This will include adequate resourcing scheduling, meeting key deliverables in terms of audit timelines and review of audit work to confirm that the minimum requirements as per methodology are met. 
• Review the planning memorandum to ensure focus on high risks. 
• Review the audit programme to ensure audit objectives are met. 
• Review audit evidence supporting the reported findings in the audit report. 
• Evaluating and reporting on the effectiveness and efficiency of the implementation of management policies. 
• Reviewing compliance - Compliance review ensures that the organisation is adhering to rules, regulations, laws, codes of practice, guidelines, and principles as they apply individually and collectively to all parts of their organisation. 
• Interviews, advises, and negotiates with mid to executive level management. Reviews the implementation of recommendations and ensures that findings are remediated, and they bring the required improvements planned. 
• Communicates or assists in communicating the results of the audit and consulting projects via written reports and oral presentations to management.

Health and Safety    

• Maintain and ensure a healthy environment, safe operations practices, ensuring compliance with all applicable Safety Health and Environmental (SHE) policies procedures in line with set standards. 
• Encourage a culture that focuses on safety in all operations.

Innovation and Data Management    

• Fully utilizing the potential for data analytics, continuous auditing, and robotics to improve business processes and audit efficiency. 
• Implement a continuous improvement framework within the function to enhance audit methodologies, processes, and tools.

Internal Audit Annual Plan    

• Assist the Head of Internal Audit in developing the internal Audit plan for the 3-year cycle. Participate in annual internal audit plan planning cycle; provide input by considering the risk and control profile, business strategy and material risks affecting the business.

Internal and External Stakeholder Management  

• Present effectively at stakeholder meetings and forums by sharing knowledge and information, including methodology, standards, changes, and new developments, with business stakeholders on an ongoing basis, and develop and maintain relationships with accountable stakeholder management on each audit. 
• Operate as a trusted assurance advisor. 
• Manage internal and external relations, including interface with external providers or functions responsible to ensure that business needs are met. 
• Issue and discuss all significant audit findings with senior management. 
• Provide relevant and specialised support to applicable stakeholders. 
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams and senior management to develop and implement process improvements and best practices based on audit findings, which will include overcoming the following: Resistance to Change, Lack of Leadership Support, Inadequate Resources, Poor Communication, Change Fatigue and Cultural Challenges. 
• Collaborates and interacts within the Exxaro and Externally to: Exchange detailed information or resolve varied problems. 
• Identify needs/concerns of others, determine potential solutions, resolve, or redirect appropriately. Persuade, gain cooperation and acceptance of ideas, or collaborate on significant projects. 
• Resolve conflict, negotiate, or collaborate on major projects. 
• Handle sensitive issues and facilitate collaboration at the highest level. Develop and maintain relationships with key contacts to enhance workflow and work quality. 
• Build strong relationships and promote the value of the Internal Audit function throughout Exxaro.

Knowledge Management    

• Continuous upskilling on both technical and other core competencies. 
• This includes auditing, project management and change management. 
• Keeping up to date with industry trends, regulatory changes, and professional standards Develop an in-depth knowledge of the methodology, by attending training sessions and using knowledge gained during audits, use this proactively in executing audit activities. 
• Based on knowledge of business areas, provide guidance to other auditors and peers by sharing best practice so that their work meets and sometimes exceeds quality standards Assessing regulatory and compliance standard relevant for assurance in different geographic areas as Exxaro expands into these territories. 
• Develop an in-depth knowledge of the methodology, by attending training sessions and using knowledge gained during audits, use this proactively in executing audit activities.

Leadership and Management    

• Adopt a continuous improvement mindset of all internal audit and assurance operations to ensure that Audits are conducted effectively, and yield benefit at the right level. 
• Mentor and coach internal audit staff by providing guidance around the methodology and audit process and manage the teams that assigned to the audit effectively by delegating audit work to empower each individual team member. 
• Ensure that new employees are appropriately inducted into the business. 
• Monitor and improve employee engagement and optimise employee retention. Develop and implement succession plan for key positions in the team.

Management of Resources Software Tools and Budgets  

•  Investigate and recommend and apply most appropriate audit tools and or technology that will improve audit efficiencies. Maintain budget for their section of allocated work activities including performance of audits and any audits which are outsourced.

People Management and Teamwork    

• Support internal audit management team to identify, attract, develop and retain talent on an ongoing basis. Develop a high performing team by embedding formal performance development and informal coaching. Ensure corrective action is taken where appropriate. 
• Conduct poor performance counselling and management. Engage proactively with Internal Audit colleagues during assignments and request technical assistance where required and based on knowledge of business areas, provide guidance to other auditors and peers by sharing best practice so that their work meets and sometimes exceeds quality standards. Encourage frequent knowledge sharing between team members.

Quality Control    

• Monitor the quality of audits executed to ensure they are in alignment with the Exxaro assurance standard. 
• Review all audit reports prior to submission to the Head of Internal Audit and ensure that all reporting protocols are observed. 
• Conduct manager review of audit working papers. 
• Conduct quarterly peer review of audit working papers

Reporting    

• Periodically compile, review and submit status reports to all relevant stakeholders, as appropriate and in accordance with the reporting protocol. 
• Prepare report on quarterly basis for the Exxaro Audit Committee on significant governance issues identified and progress against annual audit plan for area of specialisation

Behavioural Alignment    
Demonstrates the following:

• Creativity, collaboration, sociable and awareness to the ecosystem
• Stewardship, accountability, ability to develop trust, safety conscious and ethical
• Ability to respond quickly to business needs/agility, flexibility, continuous learning, innovation and proven ability to experiment on creative business solutions
• Ability to be inclusive, eagerness for multiple skills, embraces multiple cultures, accepts different approaches and be human-centric/empathetic
• Results oriented, quality driven, excellence, entrepreneurial abilities, efficient and effective