Manager, Internal Audit – BRAC Kenya Company Limited

The Manager, Internal Audit will be responsible for providing overall leadership and direction to the internal audit function of BRAC Kenya Company Limited, delivering assurance and advisory services in accordance with Global Internal Audit Standards. The role leads a risk-based internal audit program covering operational, financial, compliance, IT, and process audits, as well as special assignments including due diligence and fraud investigations. The incumbent ensures that BRAC Kenya’s governance, risk management, and internal control systems are effective, efficient, and aligned with organizational objectives. The role also provides leadership in audit planning, team development, recruitment, mentoring, and performance management to foster a high-performing internal audit function.

Key Responsibilities

Audit Planning & Execution

• Develop a risk-based annual internal audit plan for BRAC Kenya Company Limited, to be approved by the Board.
• Ensure effective implementation of the approved audit plan.
• Prepare the monthly branch audit plan and circulate it to senior management before assignments begin.
• Develop audit programs considering local laws, the audit manual, best practices, operational, financial, and regulatory compliance.
• Conduct special assignments such as due diligence, fraud investigations, and safeguarding reviews.

Audit Reporting & Communication

• Prepare audit reports, executive summaries, and assurance reports for senior management, the Board Audit Committee, and relevant stakeholders.
• Ensure transparency and accountability through Internal Audit Reporting and Internal Audit Review Management Committee (IARMC) meetings.
• Discuss major risks or audit findings with management during CMT/MMT meetings.
• Represent the internal audit function in Board meetings, providing assurance and advisory insights on governance, risk, and control matters.
• Maintain regular communication with the Head of Internal Audit – East Africa Cluster and the Associate Director of BI Internal Audit to keep management informed of key audit and compliance issues.

Risk Management & Compliance

• Provide insight and guidance on emerging risks, regulatory compliance, and internal control improvements.
• Assess compliance with BRAC policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements.
• Ensure adherence to local regulatory compliance within the internal audit function.
• Monitor the implementation of audit recommendations and corrective actions.
• Advise and provide strategic support to the CEO, senior management, and direct supervisor on governance, risk, and internal control matters.

Internal Audit Governance & Independence

• Ensure that the internal audit function maintains independence and objectivity.
• Maintain audit independence and objectivity across all activities.
• Collaborate with the BRAC International Internal Audit team for guidance, quality assurance, and best practices.
• Stay updated on audit regulations, global best practices, and emerging risk trends.

People Management & Capacity Building

• Recruit, mentor, and develop internal audit staff, fostering a high-performing team.
• Conduct staff performance evaluations and ensure proper delegation and supervision.
• Build internal audit capacity and knowledge aligned with modern audit practices and standards.

Tools, Systems & Documentation

• Leverage modern auditing tools, techniques, audit software, and data analytics to ensure adherence to global internal audit standards.
• Ensure preservation and documentation of audit work, including working papers, supporting evidence, files, reports, communications, and risk registers.
• Provide advisory services to management in developing manuals, SOPs, and charters.
• Perform any other internal audit-related activities assigned by line or senior management.

Safeguarding Responsibilities

• Ensure the safety of team members from harm, abuse, neglect, harassment, and exploitation to achieve programme safeguarding goals.
• Act as a source of support, guidance, and expertise on safeguarding to establish a safe working environment.
• Practice, promote, and endorse safeguarding policies among team members and ensure implementation of safeguarding standards.
• Follow safeguarding reporting procedures in case of any reportable incident and encourage others to do the same.

Educational & Experience Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting; a master’s degree is an advantage.
• At least 6–7 years of experience in auditing, accounting, and finance.
• Big 4 experience, BRAC environment experience, or CIA qualification is preferable.

Required Competencies

• Maintaining internal audit and internal control systems, compliance, management and risk management services, and handling financial management, tax matters, and legal affairs.
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment.
• Energetic, self-motivated, innovative, a team builder, ambitious, and a self-starter.
• Excellent proficiency in English, both oral and written.
• Strong problem-solving, supervisory, communication, and interpersonal skills.