Vacancy - Internal Auditor

ASSOCIATION OF AFRICAN UNIVERSITIES
ASSOCIATION DES UNIVERSITE AFRICAINES

Advertisement of Vacancy

The Association of African Universities (AAU), an international non-governmental organization (INGO) with headquarters in Accra, Ghana, was set up in November 1967 by universities in Africa to promote cooperation among themselves and between them and the international academic community. The AAU has been designated the principal implementing agency for the higher education component of the African Union’s “2nd Decade for Education for Africa”.

The AAU wishes to announce a vacancy at its Secretariat in Accra.

Job Title Internal Auditor
Organisational Unit Office of the Secretary-General
Duty Station Accra, Ghana
Grade P4-P5

Purpose of Post
The Internal Auditor will report to the Secretary General and be responsible for the development, leadership and monitoring of all general internal controls and of projects.

Given the importance that AAU places on transparency, checks and balances on finances, risk management and budgetary control measures, the Internal Auditor should lead the AAU in monitoring and evaluating its routine and project expenditure in line with budgetary specifications associated with each fiscal year.

The implementation of organisation’s strategic plan especially as it pertains to the budgetary aspects demands that the Internal Auditor must have the proficiency to continuously demonstrate an understanding of institutional strategic steering and internal control measures and processes.

Main Responsibilities

• Evaluate and report on the adequacy of the policy on internal control measures and risk management for an international organisation such as the AAU;
• Undertake internal control as well as operational reviews, working on business plan reviews as well as undertaking a variety of special projects assignments such as due diligence and post acquisition reviews;
• Use relevant demonstrable skills and experience as an Internal auditor to help build up the organisation’s audit department;
• Reviewing the robustness of the organisation’s fixed assets policy to ensure that it safeguards the organisation’s assets from loss or mis-use;
• Liaise with regional and international partners in the collaborative execution of quality assurance projects, training and activities within Africa;
• Prepare from time to time and as required by the Secretary General, periodic internal audit reports on AAU’s finances and risk management processes and procedures;
• Provide independent assessment of the organisation’s control environment, identifying, analyzing and reporting on business and compliance risks, assessing control weaknesses and providing sound recommendations and reviewing corrective actions as necessary.
• Provide professional support to resource mobilisation strategies including project proposals with a view to positioning the AAU QA activities to be self sustaining.
• Undertake and advise management on regular systematic implementation of various internal control processes, organisational and institutional audits and reviews;
• Act as the focal point for relations with member institutions in meeting their capacity development needs and institutional development with regard to audit matters;
• Assist in preparing, reviewing and administering the annual budget, prepare annual reports and long term financial projections for review and approval for all projects, core programmes and main stream financial expenditure at AAU;
• Actively participate in the strategic management of the AAU through periodic advice to the senior management team through the Chief Executive.

Profile

• At least a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or equivalent academic qualification. Specialisation in auditing and risk management will be an advantage. An MBA degree (finance or audit) will also be an advantage.
• Interested candidate must have the CIA certification. You should have international work experience ability to review project budget usage to ensure actual are within budgets and where they exceed, tangible reasons are assigned and reported to the project board.
• Interested candidate should have should ideally have experience in finance, controlling or internal controls.
• Must have some experience in project management, project appraisal, policy brief writing and financial management.
• In order to apply for this position you will have several years of professional experience gained working in internal audit for a large multinational group, a university or an international organisation.
• It is essential that candidate have excellent understanding of operational review, business process and internal controls within an organisation dealing with several international partners with a large pool of specialised projects.
• Ability to supervise programme staff and undertake special assignments.
• Excellent analytical skills and outstanding communication skills are seen as a pre requisite.
• Candidates should have complete fluency in spoken and written English or French, and a working knowledge of Arabic or Portuguese will be an advantage.

Desirable Additionals

• At least 5 years experience working in Africa, outside home country
• Should have at least 3-5 years external or internal Audit experience from a big practice firm, university (or equivalent).
• Excellent command of at least 4 accounting packages including Peachtree and Accupac.
• Good computer and Internet skills and familiarity with Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, MS Project, all major financial management Tool kits in operation globally.

Term
The contract will be for a period of three (3) years, subject to a probationary period of one (1) year. The position requires extensive travel outside Ghana.

Conditions of Employment

• The AAU offers an attractive remuneration package calculated and paid in US dollars.
• Annual leave of twenty-one (21) working days
• Other attractive benefits include a monthly post-adjustment allowance and rent subsidy.

How to Apply
The AAU is an equal opportunity employer. As part of a conscious effort of the Association always to reflect the diversity of the African academy, women and non-Anglophone candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

Applications should comprise:

• A statement of interest and fitness for the position
• An indication of the date of availability to assume duty
• A detailed curriculum vitae describing applicant’s professional experience and qualification for the position
• Three (3) reference letters, one of which should be outside the candidate’s home country

The application letters and supporting documents of candidates should be submitted by (i) e-mail, and (ii) hard copy in a sealed envelope marked “Application Documents”.

Each of the three reference letters should be sent direct from the referee, by (i) e-mail, and (ii) in a sealed envelope and marked “Confidential Reference”.

Both sets of documents should be addressed to:

The Secretary General
Association of African Universities,
African Universities House,
Aviation Road Extension,
P.O. Box AN 5744,
Accra-North, GHANA
Tel: (233) 21 774495/761588
Fax: (233) 21 774821
Email: secgen@aau.org
Website: www.aau.org

Closing Date

• Closing date for receipt of applications is 15 September 2011.The Association reserves the right to extend the closing date if deemed necessary, and the right to make no appointment.
• The AAU will respond to short-listed candidates only.

Interview

• Short-listed candidates will be invited for an interview in Accra, Ghana, on dates to be advised during the week of 25-30 September, 2011.