Head of Internal Audit

Gender; Dhofar; On-site; OMR 60,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Gender is seeking a seasoned Head of Internal Audit to establish an independent department and drive risk-based assurance across the organization. The role advises senior management and the Board on governance, internal controls, and value enhancement in line with international standards.

You will build the audit plan, oversee state audit responses, support the Audit Committee, manage conflicts of interest, and lead investigations, training, and continuous improvement initiatives to ensure

Qualifications

• 16+ years in internal auditing with leadership experience.
• Energy industry experience preferred.
• Experience leading diverse teams under tight timelines.
• Strong communication and ability to influence senior management.

Responsibilities

• Build and lead the Internal Audit Department as an independent unit.
• Develop a risk-based internal audit plan aligned to risk register.
• Support Audit Committee and facilitate board communications.
• Manage state audit requirements and timely responses.
• Lead investigations into significant issues including fraud.
• Develop policies on conflicts of interest and ethics.
• Establish a Quality Assurance & Improvement Program.
• Oversee whistleblowing processes and protections.

Skills

Leadership

Internal audit

Stakeholder management

Strategic thinking

Risk management

Communication

Regulatory knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree

MSc or MBA

CIA

CISA

CRMA

CRISC

Job description

Job Description

To build the Internal Audit Department as an independent unit with the right resources and processes / tools, to provide reasonable assurance to key stakeholders ARC, CEO, Executive Management / Board of Directors (BOD) / senior management / Shareholders) that Company is managing risk effectively and implementing robust governance and internal control measures in line with International Standards. Additionally, the position entails advising relevant stakeholders on best practices to enhance organizational value. This role is guided in accordance with the OQBi Mission, Vision, Values, and Strategies, as well as policies, guidelines, and both local & international standards. It is supported by an IT Technology platform, HSSE standards, Omani government regulations, legal justifications, and best international practices. All these elements are aligned with the national objectives of Oman.

Main tasks and responsibilities

• Supporting the Chief Executive Officer, the HIA outlines a risk-based internal audit plan for the Downstream Business, ensuring proper resourcing and alignment with regulatory standards, while also overseeing conflict of interest management and promoting ethical conduct within the organization.
• Align assurance activities with company objectives and regulatory expectations and demonstrate the value of assurance efforts in supporting strategic goals.
• Audit Committee Support: Assist in preparing materials for audit committee meetings and facilitate communication between the audit committee and state audit institution.
• State Audit Expectations: Manage the company's response to state audit requirements. Coordinate audit activities and ensure timely responses to findings.
• Stakeholder Engagement and Relationship Management: Foster relationships with senior management, the board, and state audit representatives and maintain open communication channels to address issues and maintain trust.
• Enhance reporting mechanisms to provide detailed insights into compliance and ensuring that reports meet stakeholder expectations and regulatory standards.
• Proactively address issues identified through audits, including fraud investigations and coordinate investigations with relevant stakeholders.
• Talent Development and Training: Develop awareness initiatives for all staff on assurance, internal audit, conflict of interest, and business ethics.
• Establish a culture of continuous improvement within the assurance function by implementing feedback mechanisms to refine materials and initiatives.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate risks associated with audit compliance, conflict of interest, and ethical conduct. Develop controls and procedures to ensure long-term sustainability.
• Oversee the organization's whistleblowing process, including policy development and investigation coordination. Ensure compliance with regulations and protection mechanisms for whistleblowers.
• Develop and implement policies and procedures to identify and manage conflicts of interest in accordance with the regulations. Provide guidance and training to staff on identifying and disclosing potential conflicts of interest.
• Promote a culture of ethical conduct and integrity throughout the organization. Establish mechanisms for reporting and addressing ethical concerns or violations in accordance with the regulations.
• Develop and maintain annual Internal Audit Budget and monitor function s costs to ensure that budgetary targets are met: Deliver High Quality Internal Audit Services and Support the Stakeholders: Develop a risk-based audit plan that is aligned with company s risk register, mission, vision and strategic goals. Recommend where internal skill set needs to be supplemented with outsourced competencies. Plan and prepare for each audit engagements including facilitating the outsourced internal audit for on-site visits, where required. Adjust the risk-based audit plan as needed in response to emerging risks, operations, programs, systems and controls. And keep the ARC apprised of any changes needed to the risk-based audit plan. Ensure the methodical performance of the audit, documenting processes and procedures, reviewing and analysing evidence, identifying and defining issues and recommending measures for improvement to ensure compliance with relevant standards and requirements. Ensure follow up on findings and corrective actions as relevant, to ensure Internal Audit recommendations are implemented by the relevant departments. Provide consulting services to management on measures to take for achieving further value (e.g. reducing costs , control improvement and revenue generation) as well as to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of risk management and internal controls and processes based on insights gained through the audit activity, data analytics, global benchmarking and knowledge-sharing. Lead the investigation of significant issues in the Organization including fraud and significant control failings and report the results to Senior Management, ARC and the BOD. Develop and implement a Quality Assurance & Improvement Program to ensure compliance with IIA standards and highest quality of audit results. Provide consulting advice to the BOD and senior management, based on insights gained to add value (remove inefficiencies, reduce costs) Taking a holistic view of risks that considers internal, external and emerging risk factors. And function holder has a thorough understanding of the company s risk culture, the risk appetite of the business, and regulatory and legal requirements

Key interactions

• Internal: OQBi, Board Audit and Risk Committee, BOD, senior Management, Business Line and other members of the Business/Function | Corporate Assurance, Corporate PTC, Legal.
• External: Government Authorities, External Legal Counsels, and specialized consultants, State auditors

Notable Working Conditions.

Office environment, intensive computer screen use, traveling

Desired Candidate Profile

Education requirements

Minimum of bachelor s degree. Preferably an MSc or MBA. Preferred Professional qualifications such as CIA, CISA, CRMA, CRISC

Language

Excellent knowledge of written, read, and spoken English (required) / Arabic - Native (desirable)

Background and experience

16+ years of overall experience in internal auditing out of which 5 years in a leadership position in the Energy Industry. Experience in leading diverse small to medium size team on assignments with strict timelines and deliverables.

Competencies and skills

General: Capable of inspiring and leading change. Strong written and verbal communication Strong presence in front of senior executives Demonstrated strategic orientation. Critical analytical skills Ability to negotiate and influence. Ability to identify and mitigate, compliance and contractual risks. Ability to communicate at various corporate levels. Ability to work across different functions. Ability to influence internal and external stakeholders. Excellent drafting and negotiation skills