Chief Internal Audit (Emirati)

Talents Tide; Dubai; On-site; AED 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Job summary

Talents Tide is seeking a Chief Internal Audit (Emirati) in Dubai to lead risk-based internal audits across the Authority and its units. The role reports to the Director of the Internal Audit Office and drives assurance on compliance with procedures, regulations, and policies while guiding improvements.

The incumbent will design and oversee audit programs, supervise engagements, and ensure timely delivery of draft reports and follow-up actions.

Qualifications

• 6+ years of relevant work experience.
• Professional certifications such as CPA, CIA, CMA, or CFE.
• Data collection and analysis.
• Knowledge of best practices in auditing, professional standards, and ethics (IIA).
• Management, processing, and implementation of compliance procedures.
• Innovative problem solver, able to find actionable solutions.

Responsibilities

• Conduct risk assessment interviews with managers across technical and non-technical departments and assist in planning the annual internal audit plan.
• Direct internal auditors in interviews, document reviews, surveys, and preparation of memos and working papers.
• Ensure quality of work and develop risk-based audit programs.
• Perform audit tests in defined areas and identify reportable issues.
• Review adequacy of internal control design and provide improvement recommendations.
• Coordinate with management to discuss external audit scope and observations to maximize assurance.
• Follow up on execution status and prepare audit and follow-up reports for review.
• Ensure compliance with Internal Audit Methodology, Charter and policies, and applicable UAE laws and regulations.
• Identify opportunities for process improvement, cost reduction and productivity enhancements.
• Develop training and continuing development programs for the department.

Skills

6+ years of relevant work experience

CPA CIA CMA CFE certifications

Data collection and analysis

Auditing standards and ethics (IIA)

Compliance procedures management

Innovative problem solver

Job description

About the job Chief Internal Audit (Emirati)

Job Title: Chief Internal Audit (Emirati)

Department: Internal Audit Office

Functional Group: Control and Audit

Job Grade: 13

Reports To: Director of the Internal Audit Office

Direct Reports: None

Job Purpose

To audit and verify the extent to which the Authority and its organizational units comply with administrative, operational, and financial procedures, regulations, and policies, after conducting risk assessments and preparing independent and objective reports and recommendations to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of those procedures.

Key Responsibilities

Functional Responsibilities

• Conduct risk assessment interviews with managers of technical departments as well as heads of non-technical departments, and participate in the preparation of the strategic and annual internal audit plan in light of the results/practice of the risk assessment.
• Exercising professional care in carrying out audit engagements related to the financial, operational, legal, and technical aspects of the organization.
• Directing internal auditors to conduct interviews, review documents, develop and administer surveys, and prepare urgent memos, working papers, and document issues and recommendations related to audit work.
• Ensuring the quality of work performed by internal auditors.
• Developing risk-based audit programs.
• Conducting audit tests in defined areas and identifying reportable issues.
• Reviewing the adequacy of the internal control design and providing recommendations for its improvement.
• Ensuring timely execution and completion of engagements in accordance with the audit plan.
• Performing special tasks, e.g., investigations, management consultations, and independent reviews in areas related to anti-fraud, risk management, and any other relevant areas.
• Executing tasks assigned by the Director of the Internal Audit Office based on requests from the Chairman of the Board.
• Preparing draft reports, quality assurance stage reports.
• Conducting preliminary/final audit engagement meetings.
• Preparing and archiving audit files for completed audit engagements and reviewing audit documents uploaded via the Audit Office tool.
• Coordinating with management (under the supervision of the Director of the Internal Audit Office) to discuss external audit engagements in terms of defining the scope, audit plan, observations, etc., to obtain maximum assurance and avoid duplication of audit efforts.
• Following up with operations officers to verify the status of execution work, updating the follow-up schedule based on the results of follow-up work, and preparing audit and follow-up reports for review by the Director of the Internal Audit Office.
• Ensure compliance with the Internal Audit Methodology, the Internal Audit Charter, and relevant management policies and standard operating procedures to ensure efficient work performance and adherence to the Authority's rules, standards, policies, and procedures, as well as applicable laws and regulations in the UAE and other relevant documents.
• Organizational documents such as the Internal Audit Charter (at the manual level).
• Contribute to identifying opportunities for continuous improvement of processes, systems, and practices, taking into account international best practices, improving business processes, reducing costs, and enhancing productivity.
• Assist the Director of the Internal Audit Office in developing training and continuing development programs, and follow up on professional development activities, including internal and external training, membership in professional associations, and sharing acquired information with colleagues.
• Prepare audit reports for review by the Director of the Internal Audit Office and submit audit findings and project consultancy reports via written reports presented to the Director of the Internal Audit Office.
• Prepare audit and follow-up reports.
• Maintain adequate records of audit reports issued to management.
• Prepare and compile presentation/documentation materials for review by the Chairman of the Board or senior management for review by the Director of the Internal Audit Office.
• Prepare a conflict of interest report and submit it to the Director of the Internal Audit Office.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities related to the position and as assigned.

Operational Responsibilities

• Provide support in analyzing data periodically and as requested, and present it to leadership to support decision-making.
• Report any operational risks or obstacles to achieving its goals and objectives.
• Ensure alignment with relevant financial policies and procedures in place for the function.

Stakeholder Management

Key Internal Stakeholders

• All Organizational Units within the Authority.

Key External Stakeholders

• Relevant Semi-Government and Private Entities.
• Relevant Local and Federal Entities.

Required Qualifications

Academic Qualifications

Professional Experience and Skills

• 6+ years of relevant work experience.
• Professional certifications such as CPA, CIA, CMA, or CFE.
• Data collection and analysis.
• Knowledge of best practices in auditing, professional standards, and ethics standards issued by the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) and any related future changes.
• Management, processing, and implementation of compliance procedures.
• Innovative problem solver, able to find actionable solutions and resolve complaints.