Head of Internal Audit

Client of Salt; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 900,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Job summary

Client of Salt is recruiting for a Head of Internal Audit in the United Arab Emirates. The role will lead the transition from an outsourced model to an in-house function, deliver an audit roadmap, and present setup plans covering structure, staffing, co-sourcing, and tools to the Board Audit Committee for approval.

The role requires establishing an Internal Audit Charter, developing a risk-based multi-year audit plan, and ensuring independence while coordinating with FSRA, external auditors, and

Qualifications

• Experience leading an internal audit function within banking/regulatory environment.
• Strong understanding of FSRA/IFR rules and AAOIFI standards where applicable.
• Ability to develop risk-based multi-year audit plans and yearly Board-facing deliverables.
• Proven track record in coordinating with external auditors and FSRA.
• Experience managing Shari'ah review in Islamic finance contexts.

Responsibilities

• Lead transition from outsourced to in-house internal audit.
• Establish annual Internal Audit Charter and methodology aligned to standards.
• Develop and approve multi-year audit plan with Board Audit Committee.
• Provide independent assurance over capital, liquidity and risk management processes.
• Conduct or oversee audits of AML/CFT, sanctions, and other controls.

Skills

Regulatory compliance

IFRS/IFRS 9

Audit governance

Independence & objectivity

Tools

Audit software

Job description

My client is a leading bank in the United Arab Emirates They are looking for a Head of Internal Audit to join their growing team.

Job Role

Lead the transition from the current outsourced model to an in-house Internal Audit function managing an orderly handover from the outsourced provider audit files open findings and the current plan and presenting a set-up roadmap covering structure staffing co-sourcing methodology and tools to the Board Audit Committee for approval Establish and review annually the Internal Audit Charter and methodology documenting the function s organisation authority responsibilities and procedures in line with FSRA requirements and the IIA Global Internal Audit Standards Develop a risk-based multi-year audit plan approved annually by the Board Audit Committee and safeguard the independence and objectivity of the function including the management of any conflicts of interest Maintain open transparent and co-operative engagement with the Financial Services Regulatory Authority FSRA monitor and track FSRA and External Auditor findings through to independently validated closure and co-ordinate with the External Auditor to ensure effective assurance coverage and minimise duplication of audit efforts Provide independent review of the ICAAP ILAAP and IRAP consistent with FSRA Prudential Rulebook PRU expectations and assurance over capital liquidity LCR and NSFR large exposures profit rate risk in the banking book and the operational risk framework Conduct regular independent credit audits across Corporate and SME financing including platform-originated business reporting results to the Board Audit Committee Provide independent assurance over treasury financial and regulatory reporting including IFRS 9 ECL fraud conduct and people-related risks including customer-facing practices employee conduct HR governance and controls and the effectiveness of risk management and internal controls across both the First and Second Lines of Defence Audit the Bank s AML CFT PF sanctions and other anti-financial crime-systems controls and workstreams including CDD transaction monitoring screening and the MLRO function supporting the review of effectiveness and outcomes required under the FSRA AML Rulebook and local regulatory framework Perform or oversee the internal Shari ah review required under the FSRA Islamic Finance Rules IFR in accordance with AAOIFI GSIFI No 3 using competent and sufficiently independent staff including the outsourced Shari ah service provider and co-ordinate with the Shari ah Supervisory Board to provide assistance as required in preparing its annual report Provide assurance over technology governance core banking and digital channels cyber security data management cloud and change management and AI ML and ECL models Review outsourcing and third-party arrangements against FSRA outsourcing requirements together with business continuity and operational resilience Experience in reviewing and maintaining IAM-related documentation including access control policies user access matrices approval workflows role definitions audit trails and evidence of periodic access reviews Ability to ensure documentation is complete accurate and compliant with regulatory and internal audit requirements.