Senior Specialist Internal Auditor at Council for Geoscience (CGS)

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

 Strategic Audit Planning & Management

• Provide independent assurance on governance, risk management, and internal controls through audits and risk evaluations aligned with the Manager’s strategic assurance objectives.
• Lead and manage day-to-day internal audit activities, ensuring alignment with CGS’s strategic goals and management direction.
• Review and refine the Internal Audit Charter and ensure consistent application of approved audit methodologies and standards.
• Identify and assess strategic risks through audits, supporting effective risk prioritisation.
• Identify auditable areas and contribute to the development and refinement of the Three-Year Rolling Strategic and Annual Internal Audit Plans.
• Oversee the effective implementation and coordination of the Internal Audit Plan to ensure timely and high-quality delivery of audit engagements.
• Develop detailed audit programs to assess management controls and support audit execution.
• Support communication of audit plans and resource requirements to the Audit and Risk Committee.
• Monitor the implementation of audit standards and the effectiveness of management’s corrective actions.
• Conduct research on national and international best practices to continuously enhance audit methodologies and quality.

Internal Audit Operations and Processes

• Evaluate policies, procedures, and operational and financial controls to ensure compliance, asset safeguarding, and effective risk management.
• Coordinate, manage, and oversee the implementation of the Internal Audit Plan, including appropriate allocation of audit resources and monitoring audit progress.
• Lead and manage audit engagements as delegated, including planning audit scope and procedures, conducting preliminary surveys, identifying and assessing risks (including fraud risks), analysing processes and data using automated tools, and ensuring audit objectives are achieved.
• Review audit work and reports (including those prepared by Internal Auditors and external service providers) to ensure quality, accuracy, consistency, and compliance with audit standards, methodologies, and internal procedures.
• Develop, review, and maintain audit methodologies, internal audit manuals, risk matrices, and Internal Audit policies and procedures, ensuring alignment with the Internal Audit Charter and updated standards and regulations.
• Provide objective assurance and advisory opinions on the adequacy and effectiveness of internal controls, compliance with policies, procedures, and applicable legislation, and key business initiatives or projects.
• Identify control deficiencies, perform root cause analysis, and recommend practical corrective and control improvement measures to management.
• Compile, present, and communicate audit reports to management, the Audit and Risk Committee, and other relevant stakeholders, including facilitating exit meetings and obtaining management action plans.
• Conduct and oversee investigations, including fraud, corruption, forensic, and ad hoc investigations, ensuring thorough evidence gathering and reporting.
• Monitor and follow up on the implementation of audit recommendations and management action plans, and prepare status and quarterly reports for management and relevant Council committees.
• Maintain complete, accurate, and confidential audit documentation, ensuring compliance with professional judgment, independence, and ethical requirements.

Audit & Risk Committee Advisory Services

• Assist in the development, implementation, and reporting of the Audit and Risk Committee performance evaluation process.
• Liaise with key stakeholders, including the Audit and Risk Committee Chairperson and members, EXCO, management, and the Auditor-General.
• Attend and support management, EXCO, and Audit and Risk Committee meetings, ensuring effective communication on audit-related matters and maintaining strong stakeholder relationships.

Project Management

• Oversee co-sourced and outsourced auditors to ensure alignment with internal audit standards and methodologies.
• Manage internal audit resources and workloads, ensuring appropriate allocation to audit projects.
• Plan, coordinate, and monitor internal audit projects, addressing challenges, resolving conflicts, and ensuring timely and effective delivery.
• Develop detailed audit programs, assign tasks to team members, and perform audit reviews and testing to ensure accuracy and quality.
• Review audit work and lead engagement meetings to ensure consistency and alignment.
• Prepare, present, and finalise formal audit reports on assigned projects.

Quality Assurance

• Execute all audit assignments/ work in accordance with the IIA standards.
• Review and ensure audits are conducted in accordance with IIA standards and code of ethics.
• Prepare clear and concise reports for audit and consulting engagements performed.

Financial Management

• Manage and monitor the financial resources and assets of the Internal Audit function.
• Ensure prudent budget management and compliance with CGS policies and the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA), including implementation of sound financial controls.
• Prepare and approve payments and invoices, and report expenditure against budget to the Audit and Risk Committee.

People Management (Learning and Development)

• Manage the human resources of the Internal Audit unit to ensure efficiency, effectiveness, and high performance.
• Attract, develop, retain, mentor, and coach a high-performing workforce, promoting skills development and knowledge transfer.
• Implement CGS human resource and performance management policies, fostering a culture aligned with CGS values and high performance.
• Determine workforce requirements in line with operational needs, skills availability, and retention objectives.
• Support CGS transformation initiatives in alignment with the Employment Equity Act.

EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

• A minimum 4-year degree (or equivalent), majoring in internal audit or other related subject.
• BCom (Hons) Postgraduate qualification in Internal Audit / Accounting / Finance Management.
• Completed articles including membership to the Institute of Internal Auditors.
• Registration with the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) is essential.
• CIA / CA (SA) will be an advantage.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE

• 5–8 years’ managerial experience in internal audit, preferably within the public sector environment.
• Sound knowledge and practical experience in risk management, governance, compliance, internal controls, and the relationship between enterprise risk management and corporate governance.
• Proven ability to apply internal auditing methodologies, frameworks, tools, and the International Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing and Code of Ethics.
• Demonstrated experience in managing and supervising co-sourced or outsourced internal audit functions in accordance with the IIA Professional Practices Framework, PFMA, Treasury Regulations, and public sector governance protocols.
• Working knowledge of PFMA, Treasury Regulations, and legal and functional requirements of Audit and Risk Committee operations.
• Ability to identify, assess, and evaluate strategic, operational, and performance risks, including performance measurement and output targets aligned with organisational objectives.
• Strong people management skills, including supervising staff within an outsourced environment.
• Advanced computer literacy, particularly in MS Office.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, organisational, planning, prioritisation, report-writing, and presentation skills.