Senior Manager Internal Audit COE

Omantel; Muscat; On-site; OMR 12,000 - 15,000; Full time

Job summary

Omantel in Muscat is seeking a Senior Manager for the Internal Audit Centre of Excellence. This role involves leading quality assurance programs, managing a centralized audit resource pool, and aligning with global standards. Candidates should have a Bachelor's degree and a minimum of 8 years of experience.

The position demands CIA certification, strong leadership skills, and a strategic mindset for developing and executing audit strategies across the organization. Professional certifications in CA, CPA, or ACCA are preferred.

Qualifications

• 8 years of total experience with at least 3 years in a managerial position.
• Professional certifications such as CA, CPA, ACCA, CISA are highly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the Quality Assurance & Improvement Program.
• Develop and implement quality assessment methodologies.
• Define and monitor KPIs for the Internal Audit function.
• Support CAE in developing and monitoring Internal Audit Strategy.

Skills

Quality assurance

Strategic planning

Risk assessment

Data analytics

Education

Bachelor’s in accounting/finance/business or related subjects

CIA certification

Tools

Audit Management System

Job description

Role Purpose

The Senior Manager – Internal Audit Centre of Excellence (IA CoE) is responsible for strengthening the Internal Audit function through quality assurance, strategic planning, methodology development, digital enablement, and centralized resource management. The role acts as the strategic and operational backbone of the Internal Audit Unit, ensuring consistency, efficiency, innovation, and alignment with Global Internal Audit Standards (IPPF), while enabling delivery of high-quality assurance and advisory services. across the organization.

Position Information

• Unit: Internal Audit
• Division: CAE
• Location: HQ

Grade: L2

Qualification

• Bachelor’s in accounting /finance /business or related subjects. CIA certification is a must.
• Professional certification including CA, CPA, ACCA, CISA, will be highly preferred.

Experience

• 8 years of total experience & at least 3 years in a managerial position.

Key Accountabilities

Quality Assurance & Improvement Program

• Lead and manage the Quality Assurance & Improvement Program (QAIP), develop and implement necessary quality assessment methodology, models, tools, etc.
• Ensure & promote compliance with: IPPF / Global Internal Audit Standards, local regulations & Internal audit methodology and policies.
• Perform ongoing internal quality assessment including individual engagement level assessments and implement improvements across the Unit.
• Conduct periodic quality reviews of Internal Audit Unit with respect to compliance with IPPF and local regulations.
• Facilitate external quality assessments.
• Identify improvement opportunities and drive continuous enhancement of audit quality.

Performance Management

• Define and monitor KPIs and performance metrics for the Internal Audit function.
• Track audit delivery (Strategy & Plan) against plans, timelines, and quality benchmarks.
• Support performance evaluation processes in coordination with audit leadership.
• Provide insights to CAE on productivity, utilization, and capability development.

Risk Based Internal Audit Plan

• Coordinate development of the annual risk-based internal audit plan after consolidating inputs from Business Units, Internal Audit teams, second line functions and Senior Management and Audit & Risk Committee.
• Ensure alignment with enterprise risks, regulatory requirements, and strategic priorities and recommend adjustments in the plan where necessary.
• Monitor performance and delivery of audit engagement against the plan and produce MIS.

Internal Audit Strategy

• Support the CAE in developing and monitoring of Internal Audit Strategy, initiatives and roadmap.
• Coordinate and where necessary implement strategic initiatives.

Standardization & Operational excellence

• Custodianship of IA manual and ensures IAU activities are in compliance with regulatory and Global IA standards.
• Continuously review, enhance, and update Internal Audit methodologies, frameworks, and processes to ensure alignment with best practices and drive operational excellence.
• Standardize audit approaches, templates, tools, and reporting formats across the function.
• Benchmark audit practices against leading industry standards and peers.
• Facilitate knowledge sharing and adoption of best practices across the function.

Continuous Audit & Digital Enablement

• Ensure the smooth delivery of continuous audit engagements and where possible coordinate to embed the output in the planned audit engagements.
• Enable and support audit teams through data analytics and automation.
• Ensure the digital enablement of the Unit (including use of emerging tech like AI) as per the IA Strategy.
• Oversee administration of the Audit Management System, including System configuration and enhancements, User access and governance and Integration of analytics and reporting capabilities
• Promote adoption of data-driven auditing and digital tools across Internal Audit.

Audit & Risk Committee & Executive Management Reporting

• Prepare and submit to CAE monthly, quarterly, semi-annual and annual MIS and other lAU performance related reports, including follow up / findings dashboard, internal quality assessment reports, state of lA report, etc.
• Assist CAE in preparation and administration of BAC Meetings.
• Provide insights on audit plan status, Key findings and themes, open findings, risk exposures and trends.
• Support CAE in presentation materials and stakeholder communications.
• Prepare and coordinate delivery of various awareness sessions on GRC & Ethics.

Follow-Up Coordination

• Coordinate follow up and validation efforts to ensure timely closure and update of findings status.
• Centralize tracking of Internal Audit findings and management action plans.
• Monitor and report status of overdue and high-risk issues.
• Escalate critical matters to CAE and senior management.

Whistleblower Program & Investigations

• Manage and coordinate investigations under the Whistleblower Program.
• Ensure investigations are conducted objectively, confidentially, and in line with policies.
• Coordinate with Legal, HR, and Compliance where required.
• Ensure proper documentation, reporting, and closure of cases.

Resource Management /Audit Pool Administration

• Manage the centralized Internal Audit resource pool (~20 staff). Schedule Audit engagements and serve as a focal point for consolidating individual engagement level assessment and leave management of the pool staff.
• Allocate resources to audit teams (GMs/SMs) based on audit priorities, skill requirements, capacity and utilization
• Oversee scheduling, utilization, and workforce planning.
• Manage administrative aspects including ERP-related matters, timesheets, and coordination.

Subsidiaries Audit Management & Contract Governance

• Manage procurement and onboarding of outsourcing vendors for Internal Audit of unlisted subsidiaries in line with governance requirements.
• Coordinate closely with the appointed external audit service providers, Management of subsidiaries and respective GM Internal Audit to effectively plan, execute, and monitor audit activities across subsidiaries.
• Ensure timely preparation and submission of audit dashboards and reports, including consolidation and escalation of key findings, to the Board Audit & Risk Committee.
• Monitor vendor performance against SLAs and handle administrative matters including invoice verification and accurate cost chargeback to subsidiaries.

Key Competencies

Leadership

• Assertiveness and Conflict Resolution
• Fostering Learning and Development
• Inspiring and Leading Others
• Leading Change and Cultivates Innovation
• Visioning and Alignment

Behavioral

• Timely decision-making
• Drives Achievements
• Ethics & Compliance