Job purpose:

Responsible for providing an independent assurance that the Group’s internal control processes and finance are sound and accurate, and that governance and internal control processes are operating effectively; through conducting audits to assess operational and financial practices, while ensuring compliance with regulations and internal policies and recommending necessary improvements.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Audit & Planning

• Conduct financial, operational, and compliance audits of various departments and projects within the company.
• Review internal controls and procedures to ensure adherence to company policies and industry regulations.
• Develop comprehensive audit plans based on a risk assessment of the company's processes and operations.

2. Internal Control Evaluation

• Assess the design and effectiveness of internal controls related to project management, procurement, contract administration, financial reporting, cybersecurity, and compliance.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of the company's risk management framework.
• Review cybersecurity protocols and data protection measures to ensure alignment with industry standards and risk management practices.
• Identify weaknesses in internal controls and recommend enhancements.

3. Compliance & Regulatory Audits

• Ensure the company's adherence to internal policies, various regulations and laws in different jurisdictions and industry standards, including contractual obligations, health and safety and environmental laws.
• Review the company’s compliance with tax regulations, labor laws, and financial reporting standards.
• Conduct audits of subcontractors, namely procurement policies, and quality control practices and adherence to anti-bribery policies and ethical standards to ensure compliance.
• Monitor contracts fulfillment and execution of contracts.

4. Risk Management

• Identify financial, operational, regulatory, cybersecurity, and compliance risks that may impact the company's business.
• Develop and recommend effective risk mitigation strategies.
• Continuously monitor risk levels across regions and departments, and provide reports on risk status.
• Recommend to IT and security teams measures to enhance cybersecurity and mitigate risks associated with data breaches or unauthorized access.

5. Reporting and Documentation

• Prepare comprehensive audit reports summarizing findings, areas of non-compliance, risks, and recommendations.
• Present audit results to top management, highlighting key risks and control gaps and recommend appropriate mitigation actions.
• Maintain organized documentation of all audit activities, findings, and follow-up actions and plans.

6. Fraud Detection & Prevention

• Investigate any suspected fraud or misconduct within the company’s operations, including financial fraud, procurement irregularities and mismanagement of funds.
• Define with HR training plans to staff on ethical business practices and fraud awareness.

7. Collaboration with Independent Auditors

• Coordinate and provide support to external auditors during the annual audit process.
• Ensure that all necessary documentation is available and assist with the implementation of independent audit recommendations.
• Monitor compliance with audit recommendations from independent auditors.

8. Continuous Improvement

• Identify opportunities for processes and control improvements.
• Stay updated with new laws, regulations, and best practices in auditing, construction management and contract law.
• Provide insights to senior management on emerging risks and trends in the contracting industry.

Education, Experience and Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in Accounting / Finance / Audit or related field.
• Specific certification as Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) is a plus.
• +10 years of experience in internal auditing, ideally within the contracting, construction, or engineering sectors.
• Strong knowledge of financial reporting standards (IFRS), internal controls frameworks, and audit management software (SAP, Oracle, other relevant software).
• Proficiency in data analysis tools (Excel, Power BI, other relevant software).
• Understanding of construction project lifecycles, contract management, procurement processes, and industry-specific risks and compliance requirements.
• Ability to analyze financial data, assess risks, and recommend effective solutions and processes to ensure compliance.
• Excellent verbal and written communication.
• Strong collaboration skills.
• High integrity with a commitment to ethical business practices.