The Save the Children Fund, commonly known as Save the Children, is an international non-governmental organization that promotes children's rights, provides relief and helps support children in developing countries

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Audit Specialist

Job TypeFull Time

QualificationBA/BSc/HND

ExperienceLocation

Nairobi

Job FieldFinance / Accounting / Audit

Principal Accountabilities

• Work closely with Senior Audit Specialists and the Global Assurance Management Team where relevant in planning, conducting, reporting and follow up assignments from the audit plan on time, to a high standard and within budget;
• Be involved in the annual planning exercise for SCI, in close collaboration with other assurance providers within Save the Children and, where necessary, external co-sourced providers such as consultants and professional services firms;
• Provide input to the preparation of operational and strategic audit plans, and into the future shape and direction of the Global Assurance department. Where assigned an area of specialism, apply technical and professional expertise in the development and pursuit of a detailed plan of engagement with the business lead(s);
• Respond to queries raised by management, providing prompt and professional advice as appropriate;
• Actively contribute to and work towards delivering Global Assurance’s transformation plans;
• In their interaction with ‘clients’, demonstrate professional acumen, interpersonal skills, and the delivery of first-class results with the aim to build strong relationships;
• Contribute to systems development work within Save the Children – especially at SCI – providing independent advice regarding appropriate levels of internal control & oversight;
• Promote ‘horizontal learning’ opportunities, ensuring that learning is identified and that good practice is shared actively; and
• Take the lead in own self-development and professional growth. This is by actively participating in performance management (by providing developmental feedback to others within the team), and maintaining own professional certifications (through attaining the requisite continuous professional education).

Experience and Skills

Essential

• Have relevant experience in operational areas of risk to which Save the Children – primarily SCI – is exposed
• A demonstrable ability to focus on key issues, enabling auditees to focus on crucial matters of control and oversight
• Be detail-orientated, and able to complete multiple projects, with conflicting priorities, on a timely basis
• Have strong experience in producing high quality effective written communication e.g. reports, in English; and have exceptional communication skills and is able to articulate effectively at all levels
• Have strong interpersonal communication and coaching skills including a demonstrable ability to deliver difficult messages with tact and confidence.
• Be willing to undertake high amount of travel overseas and work with minimum supervision under difficult conditions in some of the most fragile, insecure and remote parts of the world
• Have a strong cultural awareness and be able to work well with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures; and be able to demonstrate standards of ethics and integrity
• Be committed to Save the Children’s values

Also, either:

• Have experience of evaluating systems and processes, identifying weaknesses and areas of improvements
• or:
• Have extensive experience in relevant operational areas (e.g. in programme/project management in an INGO context) and be willing to learn the appropriate audit skills

Desirable

• Spanish

Education and Qualifications

Essential

• Be a qualified or part qualified internal auditor (IIA) or accountant;
• OR
• Have significant years of experience in relevant operational areas (e.g. in programme/project management in an INGO context) and be willing to learn the appropriate audit

• Work closely with Senior Audit Specialists and the Global Assurance Management Team where relevant in planning, conducting, reporting and follow up assignments from the audit plan on time, to a high standard and within budget;
• Be involved in the annual planning exercise for SCI, in close collaboration with other assurance providers within Save the Children and, where necessary, external co-sourced providers such as consultants and professional services firms;
• Provide input to the preparation of operational and strategic audit plans, and into the future shape and direction of the Global Assurance department. Where assigned an area of specialism, apply technical and professional expertise in the development and pursuit of a detailed plan of engagement with the business lead(s);
• Respond to queries raised by management, providing prompt and professional advice as appropriate;
• Actively contribute to and work towards delivering Global Assurance’s transformation plans;
• In their interaction with ‘clients’, demonstrate professional acumen, interpersonal skills, and the delivery of first-class results with the aim to build strong relationships;
• Contribute to systems development work within Save the Children – especially at SCI – providing independent advice regarding appropriate levels of internal control & oversight;
• Promote ‘horizontal learning’ opportunities, ensuring that learning is identified and that good practice is shared actively; and
• Take the lead in own self-development and professional growth. This is by actively participating in performance management (by providing developmental feedback to others within the team), and maintaining own professional certifications (through attaining the requisite continuous professional education).

• A demonstrable ability to focus on key issues, enabling auditees to focus on crucial matters of control and oversight
• Be detail-orientated, and able to complete multiple projects, with conflicting priorities, on a timely basis
• Have strong experience in producing high quality effective written communication e.g. reports, in English; and have exceptional communication skills and is able to articulate effectively at all levels
• Have strong interpersonal communication and coaching skills including a demonstrable ability to deliver difficult messages with tact and confidence.
• Have a strong cultural awareness and be able to work well with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures; and be able to demonstrate standards of ethics and integrity
• Have experience of evaluating systems and processes, identifying weaknesses and areas of improvements
• Have extensive experience in relevant operational areas (e.g. in programme/project management in an INGO context) and be willing to learn the appropriate audit skills

• Be a qualified or part qualified internal auditor (IIA) or accountant;
• OR
• Have significant years of experience in relevant operational areas (e.g. in programme/project management in an INGO context) and be willing to learn the appropriate audit