Position:    Director, Internal Audit

Term of Employment:   one year with possible extension

Duty Station(s):              Addis Ababa

Required Number:         One

Application Deadline:    February 17, 2023

BACKGROUND: 

The Ethiopian Agricultural Transformation Institute (ATI) is a strategy and delivery-oriented government Institute created to help accelerate the growth and transformation of the country’s agriculture sector. The ATI envisions to be the leading center of innovative solutions for the transformation of Ethiopian Agriculture by 2030.

The Institute focuses on two primary national approaches to catalyze agricultural transformation. First, we support the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA), its affiliate institutions, and other partners to identify and address systemic bottlenecks within an Agricultural Transformation Agenda. Second, we support Regional Governments to accelerate the development of high-priority commodity value chains in clearly defined geographic clusters, through the Agricultural Commercialization Clusters (ACC) Initiative.

Our major activities include conducting strategic and analytical studies, providing technical implementation support, coordinating platforms to better integrate partners and projects, and designing and directly leading a number of implementation projects. Our headquarters are in Addis Ababa, and we have regional offices in Amhara, Oromia, SNNP, Sidama, South-West, and Tigray regional offices, allowing us to work closely with a wide range of public, private and development sector partners across the country.

Our Culture

We have an exceptional team of highly competent employees with a proven track record of success in managing complex activities and achieving transformational results.  Our culture is one where talented, dedicated and adaptable individuals are committed to doing their best and exhibit great teamwork to achieve excellent results. 

At ATI, we provide an exceptional platform for people who want to achieve their highest potential and make a meaningful contribution in changing the country’s agricultural sector.  We offer rewarding work in a young, fast-paced growing organization with passionate, committed, motivated colleagues and excellent career development and training.  We recognize our most valuable assets are our staff and are committed to providing our employees with the tools, training and mentorships necessary to achieve their career goals.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Director of Internal Audit designs, leads and directs all internal audit activities to ensure proper controls, policies, procedures, etc. are in place so that the agency operations are effectively and efficiently carried out, agency assets are properly protected, financial data is reliable and has integrity, and the agency follows the applicable laws, regulations, policies, and procedures.

The Director reports directly to the CEO of ATI and Ministry of Finance (MoF).  This individual has regular communications with MoF, Federal Audit Service and other government offices as required. The primary communications include the annual audit plans, results of audits including findings and recommendations and other reporting as required. The director works with senior management in the initiation, execution and closure of internal audit work to ensure proper scope, communication of findings and appropriate resolution of audit recommendations.

 ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

• Prepare risk-based internal audit plan and strategy, lead and coordinate its implementation after securing approval

• Lead and coordinate internal audit team to accomplish plans and ensure audit policies, guidelines and standards are adhered.

• Work with the management to identify key audit risks and develop prioritized audit plans in order to mitigate and address.

• Evaluate and secure resource needs to complete the audit plan and budget including recruiting, managing, directing, developing, training, and mentoring audit staff as well as identifying, evaluating, engaging, and managing third party resource needs.

• Identify quality audit recommendations regarding internal control improvements and collaborate with SMT.

• Provide advisory services to the Management on audit and compliance issues in order to strengthen internal control and governance systems.

• Support the Risk Management team to identify, articulate, mitigate, and manage material risks

• Prepare periodic internal audit reports thoroughly and accurately, and communicate timely results to CEO, SMT and MoF.

• Follow-up and report to the CEO on internal and external audit findings to ensure recommendations are implemented in a timely manner.

• Coordinate and lead the assistance and communication with the external auditors in execution of the annual audit plan.

• Ensure that the audit programs and work practices are adhering and comply to the Ethiopian government’s rules, agreements with development partners and ATI’s Financial and other policies.

• Review the ATI’s financial systems and report on compliance with the ATI Financial Policies and the IFMIS and other financial principles and practices.

• Supervise internal auditors as they carry out performance and procedural audit of all office functions and projects and, when necessary, participate in such audits to provide field audit leadership.

• Develop a system to ensure the quality of work done by the Internal auditors is regularly reviewed and appraised and corrective action taken when necessary.

• Assist in selecting firms, planning, and performing annual external audit work Display teamwork, integrity, and leadership to create an environment of trust, accountability, and responsibility. Maintain strong relations and open lines of communication with the ATI CEO and SMT as well as with MoF and staff.

• Perform other job-related duties as necessary

Job Requirements

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Masters or PhD Degree in accounting required or ACCA, CPA or other internationally recognized accounting qualification. 

• Must have prior auditing experience minimum 12 years for master’s and 6 years for PhD in internal audit experience in a recognized organization out of which 6 years is in leadership and managerial position.

• Experience in public accounting will be an added advantage. 

Other Qualifications

• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work as a director and a team member.

• Must be able to present confidently to ATI’s CEO and SMT as well as to MOFEC; must be able to work across all levels of management in the execution of responsibilities.

• Confident, proactive self-starter who can work autonomously with strong attention to detail, while also exhibiting an understanding of the big picture.

• Strong organizational skills, including leadership, management, and process and relationship management.

• A flexible problem solver who can manage a large and diverse portfolio of projects and issues and rapidly assess situations with multiple outcomes and consequences.

• Absolute integrity and discretion—committed to core values and ethical business conduct with the backbone to stand up for what is right and necessary.

• In-depth knowledge and understanding of Audit standards.

• Superior ability to communicate effectively with others at all levels orally and in writing.

• Ability to be tactful in communicating with others and to maintain confidentiality regarding sensitive information.

• Ability to set priorities and meet deadlines on a regular basis.

• Computer literate with excellent working knowledge of computerized accounting systems, especially ERP- AGRESSO System is essential.

How to Apply

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

We invite all candidates meeting the required qualifications to submit (i) a cover letter and (ii) a CV (maximum 5 pages) to CLICK HERE

It is mandatory to mention the position title under the subject line of your cover letter.

NB. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. Women are highly encouraged to apply. Please DO NOT submit scans of certificates with your application.