Head of Branch Audit

Job Purpose

Responsible for leading and developing an effective Operational Audit function for the institution. Proactively support the Head of Internal Audit in discharging responsibilities in line with the International Professional Practises Framework, The Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA), and UAE Central Bank’s guidelines.

Key Accountabilities

1. Audit

Responsible for preparing and implementing a risk based audit plan to assess, report and make suggestions for improving the enterprise wide’s key operational and financial activities including internal controls.

Oversee the implementation of the approved plan including resources allocation and adjusting the plan as needed in response to changes in bank’s business risks, operations, programs, systems and controls.

Manage the end to end process of an integrated audit including coverage of information system and information security risks are reasonably identified and captured.
Design and implement audit programs ensuring that it is performed in accordance with the standards laid out by the IIA and the bank’s audit methodology and standards.
Oversee the execution of individual audits ensuring the highest level of service quality and client satisfaction.
Supervises special assignments/projects and investigations when requested by Head of Internal Audit, Senior Management and/or Audit Committee.

2. Leadership

Provide strategic and technical leadership for audit activities and support the Head of Internal Audit and the Audit Committee in its fulfilment of its oversight responsibilities.

Responsible for coaching, mentoring, and developing career paths for direct reports through candid, constructive feedback.

Establish and assign departmental goals to team members and evaluate their performance.

Ensure that operational audit staff are provided appropriate training and are kept abreast of current developments in Banking Operations.

Recruit, develop and retain a high performing and high quality Operational Audit Function that is respected within the bank.

3. Operational Control

Champion a systematic, transparent and disciplined approach to evaluating and improving as appropriate, the effectiveness of internal controls, risk management and governance processes.

Provide timely and accurate reporting on control gaps, the status and remediation of audit findings.

Influence the strengthening of the control environment, governance processes and risk management practises through audit recommendations and validations of managements agreed actions.

Recommendation of best practise governance and controls framework to the 1LOD and 2LOD around the risk management (identification, assessment and prioritization, response and monitoring) and control framework.

Actively participate in executive management meetings and/or committees to ensure that Internal Audit is well-informed of key business developments that could have an impact on audit priorities and/or plans.

Collaborate with the Risk Management team in developing and management of the Enterprise wide risk across the bank.
4. Business Advisory

Act as a liaison with management to ensure full understanding of business strategy, plans, products, performance and risk related issues at business unit level.

Ensure compliance with IAs Quality Management System as per the requirements of the Internal Quality Policy and Procedures which are guided by the ISO QMS certification standard.

Advise the bank in the tendering process by independently validating the cost of proposals submitted by vendors.

Build a successful relationship with business leadership to provide value-added consultation to influence, strengthen operational efficiencies and effectiveness including promoting best practises, providing opportunities for cost savings, standardisation and globalisation of processes.

Assist the Risk Management team with reporting on number of fraud cases and other relevant information on investigated cases.

Job Context

• The job holder is expected to undertake ad-hoc and special projects within the bank as directed by Head of Internal Audit.
• The role requires the jobholder to be assertive in communicating audit concerns and recommendations for control improvements to management who are sometimes resistant to perceived criticism of their area of responsibility.

Education

Bachelors Degree in Commerce

Experience and Skills

Education level
Graduate in Commerce or Finance
Professional Qualifications
CA/CPA/CIA/Other relevant auditing qualification
Work Experience
• 10 years’ experience in auditing in a banking/ financial services environment.
• Has led small audit teams on complex assignments.
• Sound knowledge in all areas of general banking operations (specific Trade Finance, Swift and Corporate banking).
• Involvement in projects/ investigations/fraudulent cases.
Others
• Written and verbal communication skills, analytical, problem- solving, organisation lateral thinking and inter personal skills
• Ability to apply expertise to business issues or operational problems
• Excellent assertiveness and negotiating/persuasiveness skills

Technical Competencies

Advisory Services- Internal Audit- Advanced

Audit practice - Internal Audit- Advanced

Banking Operations- Internal Audit- Advanced

Change and Innovation - Expert

Communication - Expert

Credit Risk - Internal Audit- Proficient

Delivering Value - Expert

Empowering and developing self and others - Expert

Evaluating and Solving Challenges - Expert

Fraud and Special Investigations- Internal Audit- Advanced

Governance, Risk and Control- Internal Audit- Advanced

IT and Information Security Management- Internal Audit- Proficient

Results Orientation - Expert

Technical Writing- Internal Audit- Advanced

Vision and Strategy - Expert

Working and collaborating with others - Expert