INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND

The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) is a regional grouping of 21 African States which have agreed to promote regional integration through trade development and trade facilitation. More information can be obtained from the COMESA website www.comesa.int. Applications are invited from suitably qualified and experienced professionals from COMESA Member States for the following position:

JOB PURPOSE

To assist the Secretariat and COMESA Institutions funded by Members States in exercising good corporate governance by providing independent and objective assurance that the key business risks and processes are adequately managed and controlled.

To undertake a systematic and disciplined approach to improve the effectiveness of risk management, control and governance processes through Internal Audit and risk Management.

MAIN DUTIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES

Under the direct supervision of the Secretary General, the incumbent of the post will perform the following duties:

• Establishes the organization's audit universe and devises strategies for identification of auditable subjects on an annual basis and aligns them to the combined assurance plan;
• Leads audit planning prior to audit engagements through detailed risk assessment to inform risk- based auditing methodology for improved internal controls and governance practices;
• Based on the approved audits for the year, prepare the annual workplan and budget for the Unit and submit to the Audit and Budget Sub Committee for the approval of Council through the Audit and Budget Sub Committee;
• Manages the work plans and budget to ensure prudent use of the resources;
• Reviews and approves audit working papers and reports to ensure compliance with the risk- based audit tests in order to communicate objective and complete audit findings to various Institutions, Division and Unit Heads as well as the Secretary General;
• Manages closure of open audit findings in the Audit Management software by obtaining evidence through follow- up audits on the implementation of audit recommendations and provides reports to both the Secretary General and Audit and Budget Sub Committee on the status;
• Provides secretariat services to the Internal Controls Committee as well as the Audit and Budget Committee for enhancement of speedy implementation of audit recommendations;
• Presents and informs the Audit and Budget Sub Committee relevant reports of the Secretariat and Institutions including, but not limited to, Audit reports informing about key audit findings and corrective actions undertaken by Management; Risk management reports to enhance the Committee's oversight and periodic Unit reports as required;
• Leads investigation of suspected fraud through fraud risk assessment and risk- based audit planning in order to deliver reports that inform detailed investigations for purposes of prosecution;
• Develops the framework and process for risk assessment, mitigation, monitoring and reporting on the Secretariat's risk profile to Management; identifies risk implications of new initiatives, projects or partnerships;
• Manages the performance management process in the Unit to ensure the achievement of Unit objectives that support COMESA strategy and ensures team and individual performance through technical monitoring, setting performance targets and standards, and supervision;
• Motivates, engages and builds staff into a high performing team through coaching, effective communication and providing frequent feedback on work and promotes adherence to administrative procedures, processes and standards, and cultivates a culture of forward thinking, consultation, teamwork among staff; and
• Perform any other duties as assigned by Executive Management from time to time.

MINIMUM ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS

• Master's Degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration or other related fields; and
• A Ph.D. in any of the above fields would be an added advantage.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Minimum of ten (10) years' work experience in either an Internal or External Audit environment with five (5) years in a senior management position.

PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATIONS/QUALIFICATIONS:

Professional certifications on the below listed area are desirable:

• ACCA /CPA;
• CIMA will be an added advantage.

SPECIALIZED KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

Specialized knowledge in any of the following areas:

• Knowledge of accounting and auditing principles and practices of Risk Management;
• Strategic and Business Management and Corporate Governance;
• IT general and application controls;

WORKING LANGUAGE REQUIREMENT FOR ALL THE POSITIONS

Applicants must be fluent in English and/or French and/or Arabic (speaking and writing). A combination of any two (2) or all these languages will be an added advantage.

ELIGIBILITY FOR APPLICATION

Applicants must be citizens of a COMESA Member country and aged below fifty- five (55) years at the time of submitting the application.

• Establishes the organization's audit universe and devises strategies for identification of auditable subjects on an annual basis and aligns them to the combined assurance plan;
• Leads audit planning prior to audit engagements through detailed risk assessment to inform risk- based auditing methodology for improved internal controls and governance practices;
• Based on the approved audits for the year, prepare the annual workplan and budget for the Unit and submit to the Audit and Budget Sub Committee for the approval of Council through the Audit and Budget Sub Committee;
• Manages the work plans and budget to ensure prudent use of the resources;
• Reviews and approves audit working papers and reports to ensure compliance with the risk- based audit tests in order to communicate objective and complete audit findings to various Institutions, Division and Unit Heads as well as the Secretary General;
• Manages closure of open audit findings in the Audit Management software by obtaining evidence through follow- up audits on the implementation of audit recommendations and provides reports to both the Secretary General and Audit and Budget Sub Committee on the status;
• Provides secretariat services to the Internal Controls Committee as well as the Audit and Budget Committee for enhancement of speedy implementation of audit recommendations;
• Presents and informs the Audit and Budget Sub Committee relevant reports of the Secretariat and Institutions including, but not limited to, Audit reports informing about key audit findings and corrective actions undertaken by Management; Risk management reports to enhance the Committee's oversight and periodic Unit reports as required;
• Leads investigation of suspected fraud through fraud risk assessment and risk- based audit planning in order to deliver reports that inform detailed investigations for purposes of prosecution;
• Develops the framework and process for risk assessment, mitigation, monitoring and reporting on the Secretariat's risk profile to Management; identifies risk implications of new initiatives, projects or partnerships;
• Manages the performance management process in the Unit to ensure the achievement of Unit objectives that support COMESA strategy and ensures team and individual performance through technical monitoring, setting performance targets and standards, and supervision;
• Motivates, engages and builds staff into a high performing team through coaching, effective communication and providing frequent feedback on work and promotes adherence to administrative procedures, processes and standards, and cultivates a culture of forward thinking, consultation, teamwork among staff; and
• Perform any other duties as assigned by Executive Management from time to time.

• Knowledge of accounting and auditing principles and practices of Risk Management;
• Strategic and Business Management and Corporate Governance;
• IT general and application controls;

• Master's Degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration or other related fields;
• A Ph.D. in any of the above fields would be an added advantage.
• ACCA /CPA;
• CIMA will be an added advantage.