Internal Control Manager 125 views4 applications

The African Initiatives for Relief and Development (AIRD) is a non-political, non-religious and non-profit making NGO with Country Programme Offices in Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of Congo, Liberia, Niger, Republic of Congo, Tanzania, and Uganda. AIRD’s objective is to offer operational technical support, including but not limited to: supply chain, logistics and infrastructure in partnership with relief and development organisations that focus on disaster-affected, poverty-infested and development oriented areas. AIRD delivers for and through partners including but not limited to UN Agencies, international and national donor organisations and governments

AIRD now seeks to recruit a qualified Internal Control Manager to be based at the Head Office in Kampala Uganda**. This is a National Position.**

Reports to: The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) or the officer in charge during his/her absence.

Main Purpose of the role:

The Internal Control Manager is responsible for creating a disciplined approach for monitoring organization processes through reviews, assessments, audits and investigations to facilitate the prevention and detection of fraud. S/he will have overall responsibility to ensure good governance, monitoring of program implementation and compliance to SOPs so as to help Country Programs meet donor requirements and further help keep them from engaging in potentially illegal or unethical activities

General Managerial Roles

These include:

Compliance Procedures:

• Review existing accounting and financial controls and other standard operating policies and procedures in place and make any necessary recommendations for revisions or additions;
• Assess the adequacy and extent of programs designed and their implementation in line with approved workplans to safeguard organization assets

Internal Audits and reviews:

• The internal control manager will conduct regular internal audits and reviews to assess the compliance of Country Programs and individual employees;
• S/he will test findings from audit exercises, facilitate the remediation of control gaps, and escalate possible critical issues;

Training and development: Internal Control manager will act as an objective source of guidance and advice for CMTs in recommending specific training and development needs to fill compliance gaps;

Liaison:

• The Internal Control Manager will act as go-between for the organization and external government and auditing agencies;
• S/he will also communicate with such external stakeholders with insights into changing regulations, standard compliance practices and other changes that may impact the merit of current internal control policies

Preparing reports: S/he will analyze and evaluate accounting documents, preparing reports that reflect the audit results and document the proposed process.

Researching on Emerging Issues:

The Internal Control Manager shall research on latest trends and issues in the industry and determine scope of internal control.

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:

• Work together with the FAD to develop Terms of Reference for internal reviews to be undertaken in Country programs
• Develop an annual plan to undertake quarterly reviews/internal audits, spot checks, and support visits across all Country Programs
• Review monthly/quarterly/annual Management and Financial Reports together with programmatic narrative reports to ensure the correlation between them and follow up on flags for action
• Perform VFM assessments and audits
• Take lead and coordinate External Audits and ensure that all audit recommendations are addressed and closed accordingly. Follow up on the findings of the External Audit report ensuring their timely implementation; Report and discuss the outcomes with the SMT
• Update the audit action point reporting systems as required
• Ensure that that the internal control mechanisms and SOPs are known, applied and adhered to.
• Working with the FAD and Country FAMs to develop check lists for budget holders of all donors’ compliance requirements.
• Working with the Monitoring and Evaluation and program teams to track the feedback and complaints systems and ensure any substantial complaints are followed up on and are reported to the SMT
• Supporting country programs to meet and sustain compliance to the AIRD Finance and Procurement Standard Operating Policies and procedures and build their capacity to do this.
• Producing insightful management reports, including commentary both for Country Programs and Head Office periodically
• Conduct or lead on organizing special investigations into cases of alleged fraud and/or serious negligence as required; provide advice to management on corrective action as appropriate and in accordance with AIRD’s Fraud Policy.
• Update the SMT on any current fraud issues on-going in any Country program; conduct fraud awareness training for Country Programs and nature the culture of counter fraud
• Establish and Update a fraud register on cases reported and lead on closing out already investigated cases.
• As the Fraud Focal Point, support the CMTs and the SMT in promoting AIRD’s zero tolerance approach to fraud by leading prevention, detection and response to fraud and corruption
• Train staff on fraud, bribery, corruption and terrorism financing/money laundry policies and procedures
• Lead in identifying risks impacting operations and recommend mitigation measures, and documenting as well as sharing the updated Risk Management Report with SMT
• Establish and Manage a Risk Register ensuring that top key risks identified are communicated promptly to the SMT and that these are reviewed within SMT meetings for quick action.
• Provide leadership and supportive management to any staff appointed to the internal audit team in Country Programs ensuring that they have clear annual objectives and that performance is reviewed both continuously and through a formal midyear and annual procedures as required.
• Any other duties assigned by the Line Manager

Qualifications and experience

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, business, or a similar subject
• Professional accounting/audit qualifications (IIA/CPA/CA/ACCA etc.) shall be an added advantage
• At least 4 years of experience in managing internal control roles
• Good knowledge and experience of program implementation at field/Country Office level
• Experience in fraud awareness and case investigation management
• Computer proficiency; highly competent using MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint and experience working with QuickBooks financial systems
• Experienced in preparing both financial and management accounts of International NGOs (IFRS knowledge important)
• Bilingual: Fluent in written and oral English and French)
• Significant experience in fraud and corruption prevention
• Significant experience in audit management

Required skills:

• Initiative – S/he should be able to work independently and should take the initiative and make decisions;
• Self-driven change-agent and strong people management skills
• Excellent communication skills, initiative, the ability to meet tight deadlines and work independently is essential
• Strong analytical, problem solving and financial modelling skills
• Analytical thinking – Should have an analytical mind-set and numerical skills useful in manipulating large amounts of data and creating reports