Job purpose

To provide independent and objective assurance and advisory services that strengthen governance, risk management, internal controls, accountability, compliance and value-for-money within the Institute.

Key duties and responsibilities

• Develop, implement and monitor a risk-based annual internal audit plan aligned with UICT’s strategic objectives, Government requirements, IFMIS processes, approved budgets, institutional risks and accountability obligations.
• Conduct financial, compliance, operational, procurement, inventory, payroll, revenue, systems, governance, institutional performance and value-for-money audits across academic, administrative, research, innovation, consultancy, project and support functions.
• Review and assess IFMIS readiness and effectiveness, including user access controls, segregation of duties, workflow approvals, commitment controls, budget controls, supplier records, payment controls, audit trails, exception reporting and accountability mechanisms.
• Evaluate the adequacy and effectiveness of internal controls governing Government subventions, internally generated revenue, grants, donor-funded projects, stores, fixed assets, ICT equipment, laboratories, institutional infrastructure and digital systems.
• Assess compliance with applicable public financial management laws and regulations, Treasury Instructions, procurement regulations, accounting standards, UICT policies and procedures, Governing Council resolutions and other regulatory requirements.
• Coordinate and facilitate enterprise risk management processes, fraud risk management, preventive reviews, investigations, control enhancement initiatives and reporting of suspected fraud, corruption and irregularities in accordance with approved procedures.
• Prepare timely, accurate and evidence-based audit reports with practical recommendations, and present audit findings to Management, the Principal / Accounting Officer, the Audit Committee, the Governing Council and other relevant stakeholders as required.
• Monitor implementation of audit recommendations, maintain an audit issues tracking system, assess compliance levels, follow up corrective actions and promptly escalate unresolved high-risk matters.
• Coordinate audit activities and accountability processes with external auditors, the Office of the Auditor General, the Accountant General’s Office, regulatory agencies and other oversight institutions, including during audits and IFMIS reviews.
• Advise Management on strengthening governance, risk management, internal controls, accountability, value-for-money, ethical conduct, data protection, inclusive service delivery and continuous improvement, while maintaining complete audit working papers and evidence files.

Minimum qualifications and professional requirements

• An honours bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Commerce, Business Administration, Auditing, Economics or a related field from a recognised institution is essential.
• Full or advanced professional qualification in CPA, ACCA, CIA, CISA or an equivalent audit / accounting qualification is strongly desirable.
• Membership or eligibility for membership of a relevant professional body such as ICPAU, IIA or ISACA is desirable.
• Computer literacy with strong working knowledge of financial systems, spreadsheets, audit management tools and electronic records is desirable.

Experience requirements

• At least eight (8) years of relevant audit experience, preferably including internal audit, public sector audit, tertiary education, Government-funded programmes, procurement, stores, assets, financial systems or systems audit, is mandatory.
• Demonstrated experience in risk-based audit planning, audit reporting, control evaluation, audit follow-up and engagement with Management or audit committees is an added advantage.

Core competencies

Technical competencies

• Strong analytical, investigative, risk assessment and problem-solving skills.
• Sound knowledge of public financial management, accountability, procurement, stores management, asset management, internal controls and audit standards.
• Ability to analyse digital transactions, system reports, audit trails and data for audit and assurance purposes.
• Knowledge of risk management, governance frameworks, compliance monitoring and internal control systems.

Behavioural competencies

• High integrity, independence, objectivity and professional judgement.
• Confidentiality, ethical conduct and ability to handle sensitive information with discretion.
• Commitment to accountability, transparency, equal opportunity, disability inclusion and respectful service delivery.
• Results orientation, attention to detail and commitment to professional standards.

Leadership competencies

• Excellent report writing, presentation, communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Ability to influence Management decisions through evidence-based recommendations and constructive advisory support.
• Ability to work under pressure, manage competing priorities and meet strict Government reporting and audit timelines.
• Ability to build productive working relationships with Management, oversight bodies, external auditors and other stakeholders.

Expected immediate deliverables

• IFMIS internal control and readiness review report within the first month of appointment.
• Updated risk-based internal audit plan incorporating IFMIS, subventions, inventory, procurement and asset management risks.
• Audit recommendation tracker and monthly progress brief to Management.
• Immediate assurance support to IFMIS go-live, user access setup, workflow controls and accountability reporting.
• Annual Risk Assessment Report.
• Quarterly Internal Audit Reports.
• Audit Recommendation Status Reports.

• Develop, implement and monitor a risk-based annual internal audit plan aligned with UICT’s strategic objectives, Government requirements, IFMIS processes, approved budgets, institutional risks and accountability obligations.
• Conduct financial, compliance, operational, procurement, inventory, payroll, revenue, systems, governance, institutional performance and value-for-money audits across academic, administrative, research, innovation, consultancy, project and support functions.
• Review and assess IFMIS readiness and effectiveness, including user access controls, segregation of duties, workflow approvals, commitment controls, budget controls, supplier records, payment controls, audit trails, exception reporting and accountability mechanisms.
• Evaluate the adequacy and effectiveness of internal controls governing Government subventions, internally generated revenue, grants, donor-funded projects, stores, fixed assets, ICT equipment, laboratories, institutional infrastructure and digital systems.
• Assess compliance with applicable public financial management laws and regulations, Treasury Instructions, procurement regulations, accounting standards, UICT policies and procedures, Governing Council resolutions and other regulatory requirements.
• Coordinate and facilitate enterprise risk management processes, fraud risk management, preventive reviews, investigations, control enhancement initiatives and reporting of suspected fraud, corruption and irregularities in accordance with approved procedures.
• Prepare timely, accurate and evidence-based audit reports with practical recommendations, and present audit findings to Management, the Principal / Accounting Officer, the Audit Committee, the Governing Council and other relevant stakeholders as required.
• Monitor implementation of audit recommendations, maintain an audit issues tracking system, assess compliance levels, follow up corrective actions and promptly escalate unresolved high-risk matters.
• Coordinate audit activities and accountability processes with external auditors, the Office of the Auditor General, the Accountant General’s Office, regulatory agencies and other oversight institutions, including during audits and IFMIS reviews.
• Advise Management on strengthening governance, risk management, internal controls, accountability, value-for-money, ethical conduct, data protection, inclusive service delivery and continuous improvement, while maintaining complete audit working papers and evidence files.

• Strong analytical, investigative, risk assessment and problem-solving skills.
• Sound knowledge of public financial management, accountability, procurement, stores management, asset management, internal controls and audit standards.
• Ability to analyse digital transactions, system reports, audit trails and data for audit and assurance purposes.
• Knowledge of risk management, governance frameworks, compliance monitoring and internal control systems.
• High integrity, independence, objectivity and professional judgement.
• Confidentiality, ethical conduct and ability to handle sensitive information with discretion.
• Commitment to accountability, transparency, equal opportunity, disability inclusion and respectful service delivery.
• Results orientation, attention to detail and commitment to professional standards.
• Excellent report writing, presentation, communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Ability to influence Management decisions through evidence-based recommendations and constructive advisory support.
• Ability to work under pressure, manage competing priorities and meet strict Government reporting and audit timelines.
• Ability to build productive working relationships with Management, oversight bodies, external auditors and other stakeholders.

• An honours bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Commerce, Business Administration, Auditing, Economics or a related field from a recognised institution is essential.
• Full or advanced professional qualification in CPA, ACCA, CIA, CISA or an equivalent audit / accounting qualification is strongly desirable.
• Membership or eligibility for membership of a relevant professional body such as ICPAU, IIA or ISACA is desirable.
• Computer literacy with strong working knowledge of financial systems, spreadsheets, audit management tools and electronic records is desirable.