Global Head of Assurance

WaterAid; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 67,000 - 81,000; Full time

Job summary

WaterAid is seeking a Global Head of Assurance to strengthen governance, risk management and the control environment across its international federation. You will develop and coordinate a global assurance framework and provide independent oversight to the WaterAid International Board.

You will lead assurance, audit, accreditation and risk management activities, working across cultures to identify risks, improve processes and support informed decision-making.

Qualifications

• Qualified member of a major accounting body (ICAEW, ICAS, ACCA, CIMA) or an Internal Auditor qualification.
• Comprehensive understanding of the Global Internal Audit Standards and leading internal audit practices.
• Experienced in managing and developing audit and assurance functions.
• Experienced in working across cultures.
• Practical experience of fraud investigations.
• Experience with Microsoft applications.

Responsibilities

• Assurance work with Member Countries and WAi Secretariat to support development of appropriate assurance frameworks and provide annual opinion on internal controls, governance and risk management.
• Audit: develop WAi Audit Plan and implement global assurance framework for approval by WAi Global Director and WAi Board.
• Accreditation: deliver rigorous accreditation process and conduct reviews of federation Member Countries.
• Risk management: develop and embed WAi risk management process and promote best practices across the federation.
• Fraud and financial crime: assist Member Countries with management of fraud cases and develop fraud risk assessments and controls.

Skills

Internal audit standards

Audit management

Cross-cultural experience

Education

ICAEW/ICAS/ACCA/CIMA or Internal Auditor qualification

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Global Head of Assurance (WaterAid International) Contract type: Permanent, Full-time Location: London, UK or Stockholm, Sweden

In the UK, we enjoy Hybrid working: a minimum of 40 % of working time is spent face-to-face (London office, external meetings or travel). 60/40 hybrid working at WaterAid means roughly three days wherever you work best and two days together in person Salary: GBP £73,964 per annum starting salary with excellent benefits* SEK 52,000 - 70,000 per month with excellent benefits*

*We offer competitive, market-aligned salaries based on the grade and scope of each role. Roles are offered at the advertised starting salary, with any exceptions considered only in exceptional circumstances.

About WaterAid

We're a global federation driven by one vision: a world where everyone, everywhere has clean water, sanitation and hygiene by 2030. Powered by our values of Respect, Accountability, Courage, Collaboration, Integrity and Innovation, we work alongside communities, partners and supporters to make change happen.

About our Leaders

A WaterAid Ready Leader embodies WaterAid's Leading Together with PACE behaviours. Leaders who create clarity and purpose, have agility and resourcefulness and can build accountability, champion collaboration, and empower others to perform at their best. At WaterAid, leadership isn't about title or position. It's about action that creates positive change and impact.

About the team

WaterAid international is a separate legal entity within the WaterAid federation which has oversight of the global organisation. It comprises the Board of Trustees and a small secretariat, based in London and led by the Global Director. WAi was created to support the development of our global organisation and to facilitate global decision making, global standards and co‑ordination of global activities. It supports the members in their work to deliver our strategic aims and mission and realise our vision. WAi owns the WaterAid name and logo and is responsible for establishing WaterAid member organisations in new countries.

About the role

The Global Head of Assurance is a WaterAid Ready Leader who plays a critical role in strengthening confidence in WaterAid's governance, risk management and control environment. Responsible for developing and coordinating the global assurance framework, the role provides independent assurance to management and the WaterAid International Board on the adequacy and effectiveness of key organisational systems and controls. Working across a complex international organisation, the postholder will bring objective insight and constructive challenge, helping to identify risks, improve processes and support effective decision‑making. Through collaboration with colleagues and stakeholders across the federation, they will help ensure WaterAid delivers its mission with integrity, accountability and impact.

In this role, you will;

• Assurance Work with each Member Country and the WAi Secretariat to support the development of appropriate and proportionate assurance frameworks. Provide periodic updates and an annual opinion to the WAi Global Director and WAi Board on the adequacy and effectiveness of internal controls, governance and risk management across the federation.
• Audit Assess and support member countries in developing and strengthening the adequacy and effectiveness of audit and assurance mechanisms across the federation. Develop a WAi Audit Plan, informed by global risks, a global assurance framework and input from the Global Executive, for approval by the WAi Global Director and the WAi Board.
• Accreditation Work with colleagues to deliver a rigorous and effective accreditation process, and conduct regular and ad‑hoc accreditation reviews of federation Member Countries.
• Risk management Support the further development and embedding of the WAi risk management process. Promote and support best practise in risk management across the federation.
• Fraud and financial crime (excluding WaterAid UK) Assist Member Countries with the management of cases of fraud, bribery and other financial irregularities and crimes. Support Member Countries in developing fraud risk assessments, advising on preventive and detective measures, and conducting fraud awareness activities.

To be successful, you will need:

• Qualified member of a major accounting body (ICAEW, ICAS, ACCA, CIMA) or an Internal Auditor qualification
• Comprehensive understanding of the Global Internal Audit Standards and leading internal audit practices
• Experienced in managing and developing audit and assurance functions
• Experienced in working across cultures
• Practical experience of fraud investigations
• Experienced working with Microsoft applicatio