Head of Internal Audit jobs

Job Advert Summary

Role Purpose:

To establish, lead and continuously mature an independent, objective and trusted risk-based Internal Audit function that provides assurance and advisory insight on the effectiveness of Eduvos’s governance, risk management and internal control processes.

The role supports Eduvos’s strategic objectives by developing and executing a three-year rolling Internal Audit Strategy and annual risk-based Internal Audit Plan; providing timely, evidence-based reporting to the Audit and Risk Committee and management; identifying emerging and systemic risks; and recommending practical actions that strengthen governance, business resilience, compliance and operational effectiveness.

The Head of Internal Audit is responsible for building the function’s methodology, systems, documentation, quality framework and professional capability in accordance with the Internal Audit Charter and applicable IIA professional standards.

Minimum Requirements

Qualifications / Education / Certification:

• Bachelor’s degree in Internal Auditing, Accounting, Finance or a related field.
• Relevant postgraduate qualification and/or professional designation required.
• Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) or Chartered Accountant (SA) [CA(SA)] strongly preferred; an equivalent recognised audit or risk qualification may be considered.
• Active professional membership and commitment to continuing professional development.

Experience:

• Minimum 8–10 years’ relevant internal audit experience, including some experience at senior management or audit leadership level.
• Demonstrated experience developing risk-based audit strategies and annual plans and reporting to an Audit and Risk Committee or equivalent governance forum.
• Experience establishing, transforming or maturing an Internal Audit function, including methodologies, working papers, reporting standards and quality processes.
• Strong experience in financial, operational, compliance and governance audits; technology, cyber and data-related assurance exposure is advantageous.
• Experience managing Internal Audit teams and co-sourced or specialist service providers.
• Experience in a complex, multi-site and rapidly growing organisation is strongly advantageous; private higher education or another regulated service environment is beneficial.
• Demonstrated use of data analytics, audit management tools, ERP environments and advanced Microsoft Excel

Duties and Responsibilities

Accountability areas:

• Risk-based Internal Audit Strategy and Plan
• Delivery of the approved Internal Audit Plan
• Governance, risk and control assurance
• Audit reporting and committee assurance
• Management action and remediation oversight
• Professional standards and quality
• Internal Audit function maturity
• Data analytics and technology-enabled assurance
• Financial and resource management
• People leadership and capability

Operational process outputs:

• Lead the end-to-end execution of risk-based assurance and advisory engagements, from planning and fieldwork through reporting and follow-up.
• Conduct and oversee financial, operational, compliance, technology and governance audits.
• Apply data analysis to audit populations and business information.
• Draft and approve Internal Audit reports with clear findings, root causes, risk implications and recommendations.
• Perform follow-up and validation of corrective actions.

Management:

• Manage the Internal Audit function in accordance with the approved Internal Audit Charter and professional standards.
• Develop and maintain the audit universe, risk assessment methodology, Internal Audit manual, templates and working-paper standards.
• Manage co-sourced Internal Audit service providers and specialist engagements.
• Maintain a Quality Assurance and Improvement Programme (QAIP).
• Coordinate assurance activities with Risk and Compliance, external audit and other assurance providers.
• Oversee the audit findings and remediation tracking process.
• Manage the Internal Audit budget, resources and annual operating priorities.
• Lead fraud-risk and whistleblowing-related reviews referred to Internal Audit, within the approved mandate.
• Manage team performance, development and succession capability.

Leadership:

• Provide strategic Internal Audit leadership and act as a trusted independent adviser to the Audit and Risk Committee and executive leadership.
• Build the Internal Audit function and embed a culture of risk awareness, control ownership and continuous improvement.
• Maintain unrestricted and direct access to the Chairperson of the Audit and Risk Committee.
• Anticipate emerging risks arising from growth, technology, cyber, data, regulatory change, new operating models and campus expansion.
• Promote innovation, data analytics and appropriate use of AI within Internal Audit.
• Model integrity, confidentiality, courage and professional scepticism.

Stakeholder engagement and communications:

• Maintain effective, transparent relationships with the Audit and Risk Committee, Board, executive management, process owners, external auditors and co-sourced providers while safeguarding Internal Audit independence.

Functional and Behavioural Competencies

Functional competencies :

• Global Internal Audit Standards and the IIA professional framework; Internal Audit Charter and QAIP requirements.
• Enterprise risk management, governance and internal control frameworks, including risk assessment, control design and operating effectiveness.
• Risk-based audit planning, audit universe development, engagement scoping, controls testing, sampling, evidence evaluation and working-paper review.
• Financial and accounting principles, IFRS / IFRS for SMEs and financial statement analysis.
• Corporate governance and applicable South African legislative and regulatory requirements, including the Companies Act, POPIA and relevant higher education regulatory requirements.
• Audit report writing, root-cause analysis, issue rating, remediation tracking and executive / committee reporting.
• Data analytics and technology-enabled auditing; ability to interrogate large data sets, identify anomalies and translate analysis into audit insight.
• Fraud-risk assessment and investigation principles, professional scepticism and confidential handling of sensitive matters.
• Strong business acumen and ability to understand Eduvos’s operating model, strategic objectives, growth risks and multi-campus environment.

Behavioural competencies:

• Integrity, objectivity, confidentiality and professional courage
• Independence and sound professional judgement
• Strategic thinking and business acumen
• Strong analytical thinking and problem solving
• Professional scepticism and attention to detail
• Influence and constructive challenge
• Excellent written, verbal and presentation communication
• Stakeholder relationship management and networking
• People leadership, coaching and development
• Initiative, ownership and accountability
• Planning, prioritisation and disciplined execution
• Adaptability, innovation and change leadership
• Emotional steadiness and resilience in challenging situation