Job Description

Senior Audit Specialist – Global Assurance - (2200009D)

The role

Global Assurance supports the Boards of various Save the Children entities [including, but not limited to, Save the Children International (SCI), Save the Children Fund (SCUK) and Save the Children Federation Inc (SCUS)] and the management of these organisations by evaluating the adequacy and effectiveness of the governance, risk management, control and oversight systems in place.

The role holder will also be required to support Global Assurance’s broader strategic aims and will primarily be focussed on the delivery of the internal audit plan for SCI and, where necessary, for other Save the Children Member organisations. They will be expected to confidently and capably act as the lead for, or be part of, a team delivering high quality, outcomes-focussed internal audit assignments, reviews, investigations and other work assigned to them to agreed professional standards and stakeholder expectations, on time and within budget. Where required, they will be expected to work closely with other assurance providers within Save the Children and external co-sourced providers such as consultants and professional services firms.

They will be expected to produce high quality, value-adding audit reports in English, and other GA products in English and French that are clear, concise, timely and solutions-driven. Leading by example, they will also be expected to maintain strong professional relationships across the organisation, working in real partnership with their team and across the business, ensuring that they keep up-to-date with changes and events that have a significant impact on the risk profile of actual as well as potential assignments. The role holder will also be expected to contribute to the development and implementation of any Global Assurance improvement plans.

Qualifications and experience
• Be a qualified internal auditor (IIA) or accountant;

OR
• Have extensive experience in relevant operational areas (e.g. in programme/project management in an INGO context) and be willing to learn the appropriate audit skills
• Be a qualified internal auditor (IIA) or accountant;
• Have relevant experience in operational areas of risk to which Save the Children – primarily SCI – is exposed
• Strong experience of conducting risk-based reviews of systems and processes (with a sound understanding of the three lines of defence model), identifying weaknesses and areas of improvements with minimum supervision and support
• A demonstrable ability to focus on key issues, enabling auditees to focus on crucial matters of control and oversight
• Be highly accurate, detail-orientated, and able to complete multiple projects, with conflicting priorities, on a timely basis
• Have strong experience in producing high quality effective written communication e.g. reports, in English; and have exceptional communication skills and is able to articulate effectively at all levels
• Have exceptional communication skills and is able to articulate effectively at all levels (in English and French)
• Have strong interpersonal communication and coaching skills including a demonstrable ability to deliver difficult messages with tact and confidence.
• Be willing to undertake high amount of travel overseas and work with minimum supervision under difficult conditions in some of the most underdeveloped, insecure and remote parts of the world
• Have a strong cultural awareness and be able to work well with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures; and be able to demonstrate standards of ethics and integrity
• Be committed to Save the Children’s values

Additionally, either:
• Have experience of evaluating systems and processes, identifying weaknesses and areas of improvements
or:
• Have extensive experience in relevant operational areas (e.g. in programme/project management in an INGO context) and be willing to learn the appropriate audit skills

Desirable
• Have INGO experience or have worked in a commercial/public sector international organisation
• Have some experience of grant requirements of major donors such as USAID, EC/ECHO, DfID and the UN
• Have a financial analysis aptitude
• Have some experience of Agresso financial software
• Have some experience of IT audit
• Contract Type / Length: National Contract / Permanent

Location: Based in West and Central Africa region in Country office with SCI programming

The Organisation

We employ approximately 25,000 people across the globe and work on the ground in over 100 countries to help children affected by crises, or those that need better healthcare, education and child protection. We also campaign and advocate at the highest levels to realise the right of children and to ensure their voices are heard.

We are working towards three breakthroughs in how the world treats children by 2030:

No child dies from preventable causes before their 5th birthday
All children learn from a quality basic education and that,
Violence against children is no longer tolerated
We know that great people make a great organization, and that our employees play a crucial role in helping us achieve our ambitions for children. We value our people and offer a meaningful and rewarding career, along with a collaborative and inclusive workplace where ambition, creativity, and integrity are highly valued.

Application Information:

Please apply using a cover letter and up-to-date CV as a single document. Please also include details of your current remuneration and salary expectations.

We need to keep children safe so our selection process reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse.

Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply

Applicants are advised that Save the Children International does not require any payment or expense during the entire recruitment process. Any request in this direction should be immediately reported as contrary to the values and practices of our organization.

Location: Dakar
Employee Status: Permanent
Closing Date: Jan 31, 2022