Senior Global Auditor

Vacancy Announcement

About us

For over 90 years, Save the Children has been making a difference in children's lives in more than 120 countries. We are the world's largest independent child rights organisation, underpinned by a vision in a world in which every child attains the right to survival, protection, development and participation. Our mission to inspire breakthroughs in the way the world treats children, and to achieve immediate and lasting change in their lives.

Save the Children is an organization for talented people with different backgrounds and perspectives. We are proud that our people are representative of the children we work with and we thrive on our diversity. We are an equal opportunity organisation dedicated to our core values of Accountability, Ambition, Collaboration. Creativity and Integrity. Our culture is embedded in these values, along with a strong commitment to our Child Safeguarding Protocol, ensuring that all representatives of Save the Children demonstrate the highest standards of behaviour towards children both in their private and professional lives.

The East African Regional Office is responsible for 7 countries in East Africa, including Kenya, Somalia, Uganda, Rwanda, Sudan, South Sudan and Ethiopia, with a current staff complement of approximately 3500 staff, and current expenditure of approximately $200 million each year.

Save the Children East Africa Regional Office (EARO) is looking to recruit for a position of Senior Global Auditor

ROLE PURPOSE:

The Global Assurance function supports the Board of Save the Children International and its management by evaluating the adequacy and effectiveness of the governance, risk management, control and oversight systems in place.

The role holder will be expected to confidently and capably lead on, or be part of a global team delivering high quality, outcomes-focussed internal audit assignments, reviews, investigations and other work assigned to them to meet agreed professional standards and stakeholder expectations, on time and within budget. Building credibility through effective collaboration and a solutions-driven approach to internal audit are key to this role.

They will be expected to produce high quality, value-adding audit reports in English that are clear, concise, timely and solutions-driven. Leading by example, they will also be expected to maintain strong professional relationships across the organisation, working in real partnership with their team and across the business, ensuring that they keep up-to-date with changes and events that have a significant impact on the risk profile of actual as well as potential assignments. The role holder will also be expected to contribute to the development and implementation of any Global Assurance improvement plans.

SCOPE OF ROLE:

Reports to:Global Assurance Manager

Staff reporting to this post:Responsible for overseeing the work of and developing the global Auditors and/or Junior Auditor and will also manage in-country/guest auditors, contractors and others as required on overseas assignments.

Budget Responsibilities:None directly though will be instrumental audits are delivered on budget

Role Dimensions:

All teams are expected to:

• travel and deliver audits across the whole programming portfolio, including fragile states, unless travel is restricted by the organisation. The annual timetable of audits is generally one of 2-3 weeks working in other countries followed by 2-3 weeks in their home office
• work to the annual timetable for audits, rather than the timetable of their home base office. By this we mean that you may be required to work on a particular festival or bank holiday and a day offered in lieu.
• take on a key role in no less than three team learning events in London during the year
• KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY :

· work closely with the Global Assurance Manager(s) in planning, conducting, reporting and follow up assignments from the audit plan on time, to a high standard and within budget; all audits will be conducted in teams and some of these assignments will require the role holder to assume the lead role

· actively contribute to and work towards delivering Global Assurance improvement plans

· lead specific organisational projects as assigned; these may be for the Board or other senior managers

· lead by example, ensuring that relationships with all ‘clients’ remain strong through demonstrating professional acumen, interpersonal skills, and the delivery of first-class results

· deliver workshops and presentations as required by the organisation

· contribute to systems development work within Save the Children International, providing independent advice regarding appropriate levels of internal control & oversight.

· promote ‘horizontal learning’ opportunities, ensuring that learning is identified and that good practice is shared actively operations/ countries visited as well as with colleagues regionally and globally

· provide input to the preparation of operational and strategic audit plans, and into the future shape and direction of the Global Assurance department

· respond to queries raised by management, providing prompt and professional advice as appropriate

BEHAVIOURS (Values in Practice)

Accountability:

· holds themselves accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, and being a real ambassador for Global Assurance

· holds the team and partners accountable to deliver on their responsibilities - giving them the freedom to deliver in the best way they see fit, providing the necessary development to improve performance and applying appropriate consequences when results are not achieved

· foster a culture of accountability across the organisation through their internal audit work

Ambition:

· sets ambitious and challenging goals for both themselves and their team, bringing out the best in the team, and playing an active role in development – their own as well as the team’s

· motivates others in furthering the vision for Save the Children and Global Assurance

· future orientated, thinks strategically and on a global scale

Collaboration:

· builds and maintains effective relationships with their team, colleagues, Members and external partners and supporters. Is a true collaborator and can demonstrate how working in partnership with auditees can bolster SCI’s control environment

· values diversity, sees it as a source of competitive strength

· An active listener, approachable

· Works closely with all parties, working clearly towards finding practical and effective solutions to complex problems

Creativity:

· develops and encourages new and innovative solutions, takes the lead in delivering change

· willing to take disciplined risks

Integrity:

· honest, encourages openness and transparency; demonstrates highest levels of integrity

QUALIFICATIONS

• be a qualified internal auditor (IIA) or accountant;

OR

• have extensive experience in relevant operational areas (e.g. in programme/project management in an INGO context) and be willing to learn the appropriate audit skills
• EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

Essential

· strong experience of conducting risk-based reviews of systems and processes (with a good understanding of the three lines of defence model), identifying weaknesses and areas of improvements with minimum supervision and support

· a demonstrable ability to focus on key issues, enabling auditees to focus on crucial matters of control and oversight

· be highly accurate, detail-orientated, and able to complete multiple projects, with conflicting priorities, on a timely basis

· have strong experience in producing high quality effective written communication e.g. reports, in English

· have exceptional communication skills and is able to articulate effectively at all levels (in English).

· have strong interpersonal communication and coaching skills including a demonstrable ability to deliver difficult messages with tact and confidence

· have a strong orientation for results, with the ability to challenge existing mind sets

· proves to be a reliable team leader, effectively supporting the GA Manager(s)

· be willing to undertake high amount of travel overseas and work with minimum supervision under difficult conditions in some of the most underdeveloped, insecure and remote parts of the world

· have a strong cultural awareness and be able to work well in an international environment with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures

· be able to demonstrate standards of ethics and integrity

· be committed to Save the Children values

Additionally either:

· have experience of evaluating systems and processes, identifying weaknesses and areas of improvements

or:

· have extensive experience in relevant operational areas (e.g. in programme/project management in an INGO context) and be willing to learn the appropriate audit skills

Desirable

· have INGO experience or have worked in a commercial/public sector international organisation

· have some experience of grant requirements of major donors such as USAID, EC/ECHO, DfID and the UN

· have a financial analysis aptitude

· have some experience of Agresso financial software

· have some experience of IT audit

· proficiency in a second core language of Save the Children (French, Spanish, Portuguese or Arabic)

Additional job responsibilities

The duties and responsibilities as set out above are not exhaustive and the role holder may be required to carry out additional duties within reasonableness of their level of skills and experience.

Equal Opportunities

The role holder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with the SCI Equal Opportunities and Diversity policies and procedures.

Health and Safety

The role holder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with SCI Health and Safety policies and procedures.

HOW TO APPLY:

Please send a copy of your CV with a cover letter to EA.recruitment@savethechildren.org

Application closes 19th June 2015 at 5:00pm.

We work with children, communities and governments all over the world and we believe in the right person for the job regardless of where you come from and how you identify yourself. We need to keep children safe so our selection process reflects our commitment to ensuring that only those who are suitable to work with children are considered for these posts. All successful applicants will therefore be required to complete a Police Check and must sign onto our Child Safeguarding Policy and organizational Code of Conduct.