Senior Auditor (FMG/AS 3)

Job Purpose

Under the leadership and direction of the Internal Audit Committee and Permanent Secretary, the Senior Auditor is responsible for establishing and maintaining the Internal Audit vision and culture in the Ministry of Legal and Constitutional Affairs and its subjects. This position is specifically responsible for supporting the accomplishment of strategic objectives and helping to ensure that established GOJ financial, operational and compliance practices, and the related controls, are designed and operating effectively. 

Key Responsibilities

Technical/Professional: 

• Guides the establishment and maintenance of an Internal Audit philosophy and culture within the Ministry of Legal and Constitutional Affairs and its subjects; 
• Leads Internal Audit’s annual risk assessment/enterprise risk assessment and the strategic planning processes to develop the audit plan, and ensure the plan is responsive to and aligned with the risk profile of the Ministry of Legal and Constitutional Affairs and its subjects; 
• Leads Internal Audit’s change initiative by implementing action plans related to risk assessment and annual planning, audit execution, audit reporting, audit technology, and Audit Committee reporting; 
• Oversees the execution of individual audits defined in the audit plan, ensuring the highest level of service quality and client satisfaction; 
• Leads the planning and execution of Information Technology (IT) audit projects, designed to provide assessment of internal control processes and operational performance, in accordance with department and professional standards; 
• Applies principles, procedures and practices of accounting, financial records/record keeping and audit practices to include in the planning process; 
• Develops, implements and recommends appropriate use of auditing techniques, as well as tests and sampling methods in the conduct of audits; 
• Oversees the progress of Audits and reviews compliance with Audit procedures and provides guidance/clarity as applicable; 
• Implements and maintains a quality assurance and improvement programme which covers all aspects of Internal Audit; 
• Leads quality self-assessments, compliance monitoring and risk management activities for the Internal Audit Division; 
• Conducts periodic reviews of the output of Audit Managers, Senior Auditors and Auditors in accordance with their Work Plans, completion of assignments and compliance with established policies and procedures; 
• Conducts and/or supervises special audits on request; 
• Issues all Internal Audit reports, ensuring the reports are clear, concise, identify root causes with practical solutions, and ultimately provide value to management;
• Meets regularly with the Audit Committee to report the status of Internal Audit’s ongoing monitoring activities, educates/informs the Committee of emerging risks and/or exposures that should be considered, and serves as a “thought leader” with respect to risk management and internal control best practices; 
• Inform senior management, proactively, of significant risks or exposures related to internal controls, compliance, and/or governance, requiring prompt attention; 
• Collaborates with the Enterprise Risk Management Branch in the development of the Ministry of Justice’s frameworks and culture for the risk management function;
• Provides expert advice or assistance to resolve complex and/or sensitive matters;
• Leads the process to track, follow-up, and ultimately close all open audit issues leveraging the Audit Committee, if necessary; 
• Communicates with the Permanent Secretary to identify specific areas of concern within MDAs, which need to be audited during a specified period; 
• Participates in the Executive Management Meetings and/or Committees, to ensure that Internal Audit is well-informed of key business developments that could have an impact on audit priorities and/or plans aactively; 
• Develops and maintains strong working relationship with external auditors in MDAs and the Auditor General, to ensure effectiveness of service delivery and appropriate resolution of findings/issues identified; 
• Oversees Internal Audit’s participation in critical business and technology initiatives and projects, ensuring that audit’s perspective is effectively voiced and appropriate controls are designed and implemented on a proactive basis; 
• Maintains audit technology platform, leveraging support from the Internal Audit Directorate - MoFPS and ICT authority, as needed; 
• Co-ordinates the activities of external auditors (where applicable), including how best to leverage the work performed and results produced from Internal Audit’s work;
• Monitors and evaluates the performance of the Internal Audit Division, ensuring that work is executed in accordance with established professional standards, GOJ requirements and remain abreast of emerging trends and best practices that can be incorporated into the function; 
• Keeps abreast of emerging audit principles, procedures and practices/guidelines to ensure adherence to international standards and competitiveness. 

Management/Administrative: 

• Directs the alignment of the Division’s Corporate/Operational Plans and Budget with the Ministry’s strategic objectives and priority programmes; 
• Maintains mechanisms to effectively co-ordinate the alignment of plans, programmes and projects of the Division, in order to ensure a cohesive and complimentary execution of policy and programme initiatives; 
• Participates in and co-ordinates the development of the strategic direction of the Ministry;
• Prepares and submits performance and other reports relating to the achievement of targets for the ministry and its agencies, as required, and ensures timely submission of all documents/information requested from the Division; 
• Develops Individual Work Plan based on strategic alignment with MLCA’s Operational Plan; 
• Establishes and maintains various Audit Committees and Technical Working Groups that make recommendations for the implementation of improved procedures and systems;
• Represents the MLCA at sittings of the Public Administration and Appropriations 
• Committee (PAAC)/ Public Accounts Committee (PAC), meetings, conferences and other fora, as needed; 
• Prepares reports and project documents, as required; 
• Prepares and delivers Internal Audit presentations, as needed; 
• Identifies and incorporates the interests and needs of customers in business process design. 

Human Resources: 

• Provides leadership and guidance through effective planning, delegation, communication, training, mentoring and coaching of high-performing audit professionals who possess outstanding knowledge, experience, ethics, and integrity; 
• Evaluates and monitors the performance of staff in the Division and implements appropriate strategies; 
• Co-ordinates the development of individual work plans and recommends performance targets for the staff assigned; 
• Participates in the recruitment and training of staff of the Division; 
• Recommends succession initiatives, transfer, promotion and leave, in accordance with established Human Resource policies and procedures; 
• Identifies skills/competency gaps and contributes to the Development and Succession Planning for the Division to ensure adequate staff capacity; 
• Monitors the performance of staff and facilitates the timely and accurate completion of the staff annual performance appraisals and other periodic reviews; 
• Ensures the well-being of staff supervised; 
• Effects disciplinary measures in keeping with established guidelines/practices;
• Performs any other related duties that may be assigned from time to time. 

Required Knowledge, Skills and Competencies

• Excellent oral and written communication skills 
• Excellent problem-solving and decision-making skills 
• Excellent negotiating and consultative skills 
• Excellent leadership skills 
• Excellent time management skills with the ability to meet deadlines 
• Excellent interpersonal and people management skills 

Minimum Required Qualification and Experience

• First Degree preferably in Accounts, Finance, Business Administration, Management or Economics or; 
• ACCA Fundamentals or equivalent and over two (2) but less than five (5) years’ experience in audit/specialized area; 
• Successful completion of relevant government auditing courses and professional audit training would be an asset. 

Please note that only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.