Head of Internal Audit - UAE National (Emiratisation)

intelligentsolutionshr; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 550,000 - 750,000; Full time

Job summary

Intelligent Solutions HR is partnering with a prominent UAE semi-government organisation to hire a Head of Internal Audit. This senior leadership role reports to the Audit Committee and executive management, responsible for establishing and leading an independent, risk-based internal audit function aligned with international standards and UAE regulations.

The position offers a strategic opportunity to strengthen governance, risk management, and internal controls within a highly regulated and

Qualifications

• Qualified with CIA, CPA, ACCA or CISA preferred.
• 10–15 years of progressive internal audit experience in regulated environments.
• Experience engaging with Boards and Audit Committees.
• Strong knowledge of UAE regulatory frameworks and enterprise risk management.
• Bachelor's degree in accounting/finance/business; master's preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a risk-based internal audit strategy and annual plan.
• Lead internal audit activities across operations, IT, and compliance.
• Provide independent assurance to Audit Committee and senior management.
• Identify control gaps and ensure timely closure of audit findings.
• Advise leadership on governance, risk, and control improvements.

Skills

Internal audit

Risk management

Governance

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Communication

Ethics

Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting/finance/business

Master's degree preferred

Tools

CIA

CPA

ACCA

CISA

Job description

General Overview: We are partnering with a prominent semi-government organisation within the UAE insurance and healthcare ecosystem to hire a Head of Internal Audit. This is a senior leadership role reporting to the Audit Committee and executive management, with responsibility for establishing and leading an independent, risk-based internal audit function aligned with international standards and UAE regulatory requirements. The role offers a strategic opportunity to strengthen governance, risk management, and internal controls within a highly regulated and nationally significant organization.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and maintain a risk-based Internal Audit strategy and annual audit plan aligned with organizational objectives and regulatory expectations.
• Lead and oversee all internal audit activities, including operational, financial, IT, compliance, and governance audits.
• Provide independent assurance to the Audit Committee and senior management on the effectiveness of internal controls, risk management, and governance frameworks.
• Evaluate compliance with UAE regulatory requirements, internal policies, and international standards (e.g., IIA Standards, COSO).
• Identify control gaps, emerging risks, and systemic issues, ensuring timely follow-up and closure of audit findings and management action plans.
• Manage and maintain strong relationships with external auditors, regulators, and key internal stakeholders.
• Prepare and present clear, insightful audit reports and executive summaries to the Audit Committee and Board.
• Lead, mentor, and develop the internal audit team, fostering a culture of integrity, independence, and high performance.
• Advise senior leadership on governance, risk, and control improvements as a trusted assurance partner.

Key Requirements

• UAE National with strong expertise in internal audit, risk, and governance.
• Bachelor's degree in accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related discipline; master's degree preferred.
• Professional certifications such as CIA, CPA, ACCA, CISA, or equivalent are highly desirable.
• 10-15 years of progressive internal audit experience, with significant exposure to regulated environments (insurance, healthcare, financial services, or government/semi-government).
• Proven experience operating at a senior leadership level, including direct engagement with Boards and Audit Committees.
• Strong knowledge of UAE regulatory frameworks, enterprise risk management, and internal control systems.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• High ethical standards, sound judgment, and the ability to operate independently with authority.