Technical Advice Connect LTD/GTE (TAConnect) is a non-profit organization registered in 2021 and based in Nigeria to bring innovative solutions to the provision of Technical Assistance (TA) services across Africa. TAConnect was established by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) to deliver tailored and cohesive support for states in Nigeria by strengthening their PHC systems and enhancing PHC service delivery. As an innovative platform, we respond to state TA priorities to promote sustainable improvements in state Primary Healthcare (PHC) systems’ performance and increase uptake of Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, and Adolescent Health and Nutrition (RMNCAH+N) services.
We are recruiting to fill the position below:
Job Title: Internal Audit / Compliance Specialist
Location: Abuja
Reports To: Executive Director
Position Summary
- The Internal Audit / Compliance Specialist works in partnership, collaboration, and support with the Executive Director and the leadership team in conducting risk assessments, and compliance verification activities.
- Plan and execute activities for successful delivery of internal controls and compliance verification and assurance that TA Connect objectives are achieved, and assets and reputation are safeguarded.
- In coordination with the Executive Director, s/he will develop plans and evaluation tools, and then carry out independent appraisals and verifications of the effectiveness of TA Connect and donor policies, procedures and standards, and applicable Nigeria law, which TA Connect Nigeria manages financial resources.
- S/he will review and evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of operations, reliability of financial reporting, compliance with applicable laws and the safeguarding of assets. S/he will plan, perform, and report on internal assessments to ensure that financial control, financial guidelines of donor organization(s) and other control procedures are in place and are being properly implemented and managed on TA Connect deployments.
- S/he will also be responsible for advising and monitoring quality standards of operations and value for money.
- S/he will monitor and follow-up on recommendations from the internal and external auditors to ensure the recommendations have been implemented and adhered to.
- Under the direction of the Executive Director, s/he will conduct thoroughly documented investigations of whistleblower cases, and suspected fraud and will directly interface with the Executive Director on these or other specific cases.
Specific Responsibilities
Internal Audit/Compliance:
- Ensure that all TAConnect Nigeria financial and operational activities are in compliance with Nigeria law (tax laws, CSA laws and government pension agency laws), donor rules and regulations, and TAConnect policies and standards.
- Develops an annual customized compliance monitoring plan, including evaluation tools, standards, ethical considerations, and schedule to evaluate all project locations, and to revisit sites needing extra attention.
- Develops compliance framework for the organization, including compliance checklists for the various business processes, transaction classes, country laws governing NGO operations, and specific donor requirements.
- Periodically reviews and updates the compliance-monitoring checklist and other tools to stay current with TA Connect procedures and policies, donor policies and Nigeria law.
- Examines the effectiveness of internal controls and compliance within TA Connect policy framework, identifies gaps in procedures and controls systems, and provides recommendations to the Country
- Leadership Team for strengthening them. Follows-up on recommendations to ensure they have been implemented and adhered to.
- Tests internal controls, targeting high-risk areas, including deployments, procurements, inventory control, cash advance management, payroll and Fleet Management. Documents internal control weaknesses, compliance deviations, and their impact, and makes recommendations to address these weaknesses.
- Identifies gaps in knowledge and skills and provides recommendations for training. May be requested to provide training directly to staff.
- Prepares detailed reports of each compliance/audit review and other task assignments, with prioritized findings and recommendations. Presents final reports to the Executive Director.
- When necessary, conduct investigations of whistleblower cases, suspected fraud, mismanagement, loss of assets, etc.
- Follows-up on recommendations from the external auditors and other consultants to ensure the recommendations have been implemented and adhered to.
- Stays abreast of laws, directives, and current trends in the legal and NGO environment.
- Provides risk assessment for financial and operational landscape. Identify high risk, high probability events, and provide recommended mitigation plan. Provide ad hoc risk assessments for specific scenarios by request.
- Provide ad-hoc advice, helping staff to achieve the goal of establishing sound risk management and internal control systems; offer practical advice on how best to comply with financial policy and donor guidelines.
- Establish and maintain TA Connect Risk Register.
Internal Audit / Compliance:
- Prepares quarterly compliance, audit, investigations, and status of audit recommendations reports for submission to the senior leadership team.
- Meets with leadership on a regular basis, or as requested to provide professional guide on relevant issues
- Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor
Required Skills and Qualifications
Minimum Education:
- Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting or Business Management or related area. M.Sc in related field will be an added advantage. Preferred:
- Advanced Degree preferred
- Professional Certification in Accounting, Internal Audit, and Fraud Examination
- Six plus years of experience in compliance, risk management or audit required.
Knowledge and Skills:
- Extensive familiarity of diverse donor regulations including and not limited to Bill & Melinda Gate
- foundation, USAID, FCDO and other
- Experience in international development programs preferred.
- Excellent planning, management, and organizational skills.
- Proven leadership and interpersonal skill.
- Analytical Skills and IT audit knowledge
- Knowledge of Risk-based, Agile Audit and financial audit and controls
- Knowledge of Risk Management, IT audit, investigation, audit analytical tool and ERP
- Excellent organizational and multitasking capabilities (frauds, IIA standards etc)
- Good team spirit, goal-oriented and target focused
- Good command of English language communication and presentation skills
- Good initiative, analytical thinking and strategic focus.
Deadline: 12th April, 2022.
How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should send their comprehensive CV, Cover Letter and Portfolio as a single document (PDF or Doc or Docx.) to: info@taconnect-ng.org using “Internal Audit / Compliance Specialist” as the subject of the email.
Note: TA Connect will only contact candidates that are successful at this pre-qualification stage.
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