Director of Internal Audit

Confidential Careers; Dubai; On-site; AED 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Job summary

Confidential Careers is seeking a Head of Internal Audit in Dubai to lead an outsourced function, coordinate with the GRA Committee, and ensure risk‑based audit practices. The incumbent will manage the outsourced provider, oversee compliance matters, and liaise with the Head of Strategy on risk governance.

A CIA/CPA/CFE/CISA or MSc is preferred with 15+ years of audit experience. Responsibilities include developing audit plans, evaluating controls, and reporting to the CEO and Board.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.
• Certification as a CIA, CPA, CFE, CISA or Master's degree in Management.
• Fifteen (15) years of full-time audit experience in major business establishment in related fields.
• Extensive knowledge and skills in applying internal auditing and accounting principles and practices, management principles and preferred business practices.
• Considerable knowledge of the Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing and the Code of Ethics developed by the Institute of Internal Auditors.
• Knowledge of management information systems terminology, concepts and practices.
• Considerable skill in conducting quality control reviews of audit work products.
• Skill in collecting and analyzing complex data, evaluating information and systems, and drawing logical conclusions.
• Considerable skill in negotiating issues and resolving problems.
• Considerable skill in effective verbal and written communications, including active listening skills and skill in presenting findings and recommendations.

Responsibilities

• Develop a disciplined and systematic approach to evaluate and improve the audit function.
• Lead and direct the Internal Audit function and coordinate with external auditors.
• Develop and execute audit plans; provide independent assessment to the GRA Committee and management.
• Establish risk-based internal audit plans and implement them to provide assurance and advice.
• Review and appraise the soundness and application of controls and governance.
• Issue periodic reports to the CEO and Audit Committee; maintain relationships with auditors and professional bodies.
• Support continuous improvement programs to satisfy shareholders and improve efficiency.
• Maintain Internal Audit policies aligning with IIA ISACA standards.

Skills

Audit experience

Internal controls

Risk assessment

Quality control

Data analysis

Verbal & written communication

Negotiation

Governance & ethics

Education

Bachelor's degree

CIA/CPA/CFE/CISA or Master's in Management

Job description

Head of Internal Audit will take accountability to report into the Group CEO, and the Governance, Compliance & Risk Committee (GRA) for all audit, risk, governance, and compliance related matters. The Internal Audit function is outsourced, and the Head of Internal Audit will have no direct reports, but will manage the outsourced company, will manage compliance matters himself as described below and coordinate with the Head of Strategy who will manage Risk and Governance.

Responsibilities

• Develop a disciplined and systematic approach to evaluate and improve the effectiveness of the Company's audit function, risk management, control, compliance and governance processes.
• Develop and maintain a Risk Based System strategically focused on efficient audit methodology and practice.
• Evaluate and establish internal audit policies and procedures to ensure audit activities are consistent throughout the Company.
• Lead and direct the Internal Audit function to protect organizational value and reputation through provision of risk-based, objective and reliable assurance, advice and insight.
• In coordination with external firms and auditors, develop and execute audit plans to provide independent assessment to the GRA Committee, external auditors, and management on the assurance, internal controls, and effectiveness of governance, risk management, compliance for the Company.
• Develop a flexible risk-based internal audit plan with a set of identified audit priorities and implement the audit plans to provide objective assurance and advice to the management and GRA Committee.
• Ensure effective management of the financial resources through an adequate and effective internal audit of all services of the company and any associated bodies in compliance with laid down financial procedures, council decisions and regulations.
• Review and appraise the soundness, adequacy and application of accounting, financial, technical and operational controls.
• Review all activities as required by coordinating, directing, planning and scheduling audit functions to ensure adequacy and compliance of control, asset safeguarding and integrity.
• Supervise, external audit and direct all audit staff.
• Establish Internal Audit policies and procedures to guide the implementation to the Internal Audit strategy and plans while ensuring compliance with Internal Auditing Standards and organizational objectives; ensure sound internal auditing principles and best practices, particularly with the guidance provided by the Standards issued by the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) and other bodies like Information System Audit & Control Association (ISACA).
• Issue periodic reports to the CEO and the Audit Committee or Board, summarizing results of the audit.
• Raise awareness of the Internal Audit function to establish value-driven alliances within the Company.
• Initiate and support continuous improvement programs to satisfy shareholders and improve operational efficiency.
• Maintain a professional audit to meet the future requirements of the Audit Charter.
• Support external and government auditors and maintain an optimal working relationship with them that avoids overlaps in audit approach; build and maintain working relationships with Audit professionals/associations, professional committees and working groups to keep abreast of industry standards, and build knowledge/professional competence.

Other Responsibilities

• Assess the risk management and internal control systems are operational as intended.
• Review the completeness of management's risk analysis and actions taken to remedy issues raised by risk management processes and suggest improvements.
• Evaluate risk exposures relating to the organization's governance, operations and information systems.
• Communicate with senior management and Board on risk-related issues that may indicate weakness in risk management practices.
• Facilitate review of strategic and business risk issues and assess risk governance framework.

Compliance -- Key Responsibilities

• Overseeing control systems to ensure compliance and evaluating the efficiency of such control systems.

Governance -- Key Responsibilities

• Engage the board and senior management on governance best practices and issues.
• Articulate the benefits of good governance structure to influence adoption by senior management and the board.
• Endorse the principles of governance and compliance in the organization.
• Adhere to ethical codes of practice when endorsing governance principles and policies to ensure organizational compliance to governance requirements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.
• Certification as a CIA, CPA, CFE, CISA or Master's degree in Management.
• Fifteen (15) years of full-time audit experience in major business establishment in related fields.
• Extensive knowledge and skills in applying internal auditing and accounting principles and practices, management principles and preferred business practices.
• Considerable knowledge of the Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing and the Code of Ethics developed by the Institute of Internal Auditors.
• Knowledge of management information systems terminology, concepts and practices.
• Considerable skill in conducting quality control reviews of audit work products.
• Skill in collecting and analyzing complex data, evaluating information and systems, and drawing logical conclusions.
• Considerable skill in negotiating issues and resolving problems.
• Considerable skill in effective verbal and written communications, including active listening skills and skill in presenting findings and recommendations.