Internal Audit & Compliance Specialist at Save the Children Nigeria

Save the Children is the leading independent organization for children in need, with programs in over 120 countries. We save children’s lives. We fight for their rights. We help them fulfil their potential. Save the Children is working in Nigeria because one in five children in Nigeria dies before their fifth birthday. About 40% of children miss out on school and have to work to survive while nearly 2 million children have lost one or both parents to an AIDS-related disease.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Internal Audit & Compliance Specialist

Location: Abuja
Job type: Full-time
Job Identification: 11372
Job Category: Finance
Grade: 3
Reports to: Internal Control & Compliance Manager (IC&CM)
Matrix to: Head, Internal Control & Compliance

Job Summary

• The Internal Audit & Compliance Specialist will work with the Internal Control and Compliance Manager to support compliance with all Save the Children and donor guidelines and policies.
• This will be done through evaluating the effectiveness of the governance, risk management and control systems in place in SC Nigeria.
• S/he will review, document and assess effectiveness of financial and operational controls over the SC Nigeria program administrative and project activities both at the country level and in field offices (incl. the north-eastern part of Nigeria).
• The Internal Audit & Control Specialist will undertake regular checks- process and management practice reviews, analyse records, reports, financial statements and program implementation to ascertain that adequate internal controls are in place to mitigate the risk of non-compliance with local laws, donor requirements and SCI policies and procedure.
• S/he will advise on additional controls to be put in place in any area of weakness identified to ensure the protection of the programme’s assets, funds, reputation and compliance with applicable donor guidelines and policies.
• S/he will be involved in conducting reviews into dishonest practices or other code of conducted concerns as may be delegated by the management.                  

Responsibilities

• On a sample basis, carry out a regularly reviews of financial, procurement/logistic, HR and program transactions and implementation, ensuring documentation supporting the transactions are in compliance with Save the Children policies and procedures, grant agreements and donor regulations both at the country and other field offices.
• Conducting spot-audits tests on donor requirement compliance in finance, Human resources, award, logistics, operations and programme (activities, documentation and reporting) in line with IAC annual work plan. 
• Assist IC&C Manager in regularly updating in-country risk assessments and follow up to confirm implementation of mitigating measures. 
• Work closely with programme development unit to further a risk aware and responsive culture in designing and developing potential high-risk awards and improving compliance culture on the existing awards.
• Plan, conduct and lead audits and follow up on all internal and external audit action plans and provide periodic updates on actions taken.
• Assist the IC&C Manager/Head, IC&C in ensuring SCI Global Assurance Audit findings are tracked and closed on the Diligent One audit management platform.
• Assist in performing internal control reviews of in-country processes including cash and advance management, procurement, logistics, Programs- implementation, documentation and reporting, Data quality Assurance of M& E (Monitoring and Evaluation) data source documents, stock (incl. food commodities), beneficiaries and food vendors management, assets management etc. (in line with the annual IAC work plan). Coordinate with the relevant departments to come up with actionable recommendations to improve any identified weaknesses.
• Track and age all reviews findings recommendations in line with the agreed implementation timelines and follow-up to confirm implemented actions.
• Work with the IC&C Manager to flag significant internal control weaknesses to the country management, with actionable recommendations to reinforce identified weak controls and support the monitoring of compliance with approved reinforcing controls.
• Prepare IC&C unit related reports/analysis for use by the IC&C manager/Head, IC&C as required.
• S/he will serve as a liaison for external audit and regulatory agencies as may be assigned.
• Lead on fraud investigations as may be assigned, diligently document all relevant evidence, and ensure report is consistent with SCI standards through the Internal Control & Compliance Manager/Head, IC&C to the Country Director and SCI Fraud team. 
• Maintain good working relationships with all SCI stakeholders- staff, vendors, auditors, implementing partners) through effective communication and exercising professional conduct and objectivity.
• Deliver training as required to reinforce internal controls, risk management, fraud, bribery and corruption, and anti-terrorism financing awareness and prevention.
• Carry out any other responsibility delegated within the role of the unit.

Qualifications and Experience
Essential:

• A graduate of Finance, Accounting or a related business field is required with professional qualification (ACA, ACCA, CIA or CPA).
• 7 years+ related work experience, with minimum of 3 years+ related working experience in a not-for-profit organization in related capacity.
• Strong background in compliance accounting and internal controls; experience in auditing (internal or external experience).
• Extensive experience in relevant operational areas (e.g. in programme/project management in an INGO context) and experience of risk-based auditing.
• Be highly accurate, detail-orientated, and able to complete multiple projects, with conflicting priorities, on a timely basis.
• Excellent report English writing skills.
• Proven interpersonal and communication skills including influencing, negotiation, and relationship building.

Desirable:

• INGO experience or have worked in a commercial/public sector international organisation. 
• Familiarity with grant requirements of major donors such as BHA/USAID, EC/ECHO, UNICEF, OFDA, FCDO and the UN.
• Good financial analysis aptitude.
• Experience of Agresso financial software or other ERP software.
• Counter fraud and investigation experience. 
• Ability to look at the bigger picture when assessing organisational performance and risk.
• Strong cultural awareness and be able to work well in an international environment with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures.
• Demonstrate standards of ethics and integrity.
• Commitment to Save the Children values.

Application Closing Date
28th January, 2025; 11:16.