Head of Audit: Strategic Leadership in Governance and Risk

Job Description

BPR Bank is searching for a highly experienced and certified Head of Audit to champion the Bank’s independent assurance function. This senior leadership role is critical for driving the development, maintenance, and consistent implementation of the entire Bank Audit Framework. You will serve as the trusted advisor to the Board and Executive Management, ensuring the highest standards of governance, control, and risk management across all operations.

The Core Mandate (Job Purpose)

The Head of Audit is responsible for providing independent, objective assurance and advisory services to add value and improve the organization’s operations. You will evaluate the effectiveness of the Bank’s internal control infrastructure and review the structures supporting operations, ensuring a systematic and disciplined approach to governance, risk management, and control processes.

Key Responsibilities (Leadership & Strategy)

I. Audit Framework and Strategy

• Strategic Planning: Drive the preparation and execution of an annual risk-based Audit Plan to ensure appropriate and comprehensive coverage of all critical activities and compliance areas.
• Policy & Methodology: Develop, maintain, and implement the Bank Audit Framework, ensuring the consistency and professional execution of audit methods, policies, and procedures across all departments.
• Control Evaluation: Provide an independent and objective evaluation of the control environment and assess the effectiveness of internal control structures in preventing and detecting fraud.

II. Stakeholder and Governance

• Board Communication: Communicate regularly and effectively with the Audit Committee of the Board and Senior Management on the status of the audit plan, the results of audit work, and all quarterly/special reports.
• Coordination: Act as the primary liaison, coordinating with appropriate control groups, regulatory bodies, and External Auditors in planning and executing audit work, ensuring synergy and avoiding duplication.
• Compliance Assurance: Ensure the Audit team executes the Compliance Audit plan strictly within the departmental methodology, professional standards, and all relevant regulatory requirements in the financial services sector.

III. Team Management and Quality

• Team Leadership: Lead, direct, mentor, and motivate the entire Internal Audit team and staff, fostering a culture of high ethical standards, integrity, and performance excellence.
• Quality Control: Conduct quality assurance reviews to ensure compliance with department documentation standards, and drive continuous improvement of audit techniques and processes.

Professional Qualifications and Experience

• Education: A Bachelor’s level degree in a Business-related field (Finance, Accounting, or Management).
• Experience: A minimum of 8 or more years of progressive experience in Audit, preferably within large organizations, with at least 5 years at a senior management level.
• Certification (Mandatory): Must be a Certified Public Accountant (CPA).
• Additional Advantage: Certification in quality control/assurance standards and/or methods (e.g., Six Sigma, CISA, or similar equivalent) is a strong advantage.

Skills

• Proficiency in applying the internal audit process, including risk assessments, planning, scheduling, and reporting.
• Sound technical understanding of the financial services and banking regulatory environment.
• Demonstrable track record of integrity, effective communication, and strong cross-cultural people and stakeholder management skills.