Introduction
The Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) is a statutory body charged with the mandate to regulate the engineering profession in accordance with the Engineering Profession Act 46 of 2000.

Position Summary: The Senior Internal Audit Specialist vacancy has become available. A Combined Assurance (CA) Division has been established in 2024/25 and consists of the following Business Units: Enterprise Risk Management (ERM); Ethics and Compliance and Quality Management. This position will be the liaison between the Outsourced IA function and ECSA and will be responsible for leading the improvement of internal controls, in collaboration with the Combined Assurance Division and Management.The successful candidate will report to the Executive: Combined Assurance. The seniority and grading of the role will be determined during the recruitment process.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Provide operational support to the Executive: Combined Assurance (ECA) to implement and/or improve internal controls, risk management and governance processes, that will contribute to the achievement of the strategic objectives for ECSA;
• Provide the Outsourced Internal Audit (IA) function with the Strategic Risk Register, prior to the commencement of the ensuing financial period, to inform the development of the Annual and the Strategic Three-Year Rolling IA Plan;
• Provide input towards the final draft IA Plan that the Outsourced IA function will submit to ECSA, prior to finalization;
• Initiate the annual update of the Internal Audit Charter, obtain input from the Outsourced IA function, and submit the final draft to the ECA, to facilitate the approval by the Audit, Risk and Compliance Committee (ARCC);
• Coordinate the “Request for Information” (RFI) process for information requests from internal and external audit, verify the integrity of information submitted, and ensure agreed timelines are met;
• Provide guidance to Management in providing accurate “Root Causes” for internal and external audit findings raised, and provide training to Management on effective “Root Cause Analysis” processes. Review Management's Root Causes, prior to submission to internal and external audit;
• Provide guidance to Management to develop tangible and SMART action plans that they need to provide to internal and external audit, to address the Findings raised Root Cause and Recommendations made by the auditors. Review Management's action plans, prior to submission to internal and external audit;
• Participate in Committees and Project Teams within ECSA, to ensure a pro-active approach to ensure internal controls, risk management and governance processes are embedded in processes or Projects, and comply to applicable laws and regulations;
• Execute some assurance or advisory reviews like “Employee Verification”, as and when required;
• Continuously seek opportunities to improve internal control processes that will enhance efficiency on people, processes and systems (Golden Triangle);
• Keep abreast of global trends, new developments in the internal audit environment, emerging technologies and maintain a level of expertise commensurate with experts in the internal audit profession;
• Lead the Audit Tracking process, to monitor the progress on the implementation of action plans for internal and external audit reports issued. Engage Management monthly, to ensure a value-added process that improves internal controls and minimises repeat findings for ECSA. Report progress on the Audit Tracking process monthly and quarterly to oversight structures;
• Investigate and implement a suitable, cost-effective, efficient automated tool for the Audit Tracking process, that will integrate with the other Governance, Risk and Controls tools applied in ECSA, where possible;
• Provide input towards Policies and Procedures developed by Management, to ensure internal controls, risk management and governance processes are catered for, and that ensure compliance to applicable laws and regulations;
• Collaborate with the ERM; Ethics and Compliance and Quality Assurance Business Units, Management Internal Audit and External Audit, to contribute positively to an effective Combined Assurance approach for ECSA;
• Champion the Control Self-Assessment process, adopted as part of the Combined Assurance process, to equip Management with skills to develop and own the internal controls, and be able to self-assess, prior to Internal Audit's involvement. Apply the COSO Internal Control Framework in this regard;
• Guide & oversee the Intern that could be appointed by ECSA;
• Monitor and manage the performance of the Outsourced IA function, in line with the signed Service Level Agreement (SLA) and agreed deliverables;
• Provide a quarterly report to the Audit, Risk & Compliance Committee;
• Advise on budget for the Business Unit's functional and support costs;
• Gain approval for the authorisation of costs related to the BU's Operations;
• Review the proposed Costing for the IA Reviews to be executed, manage the Outsourced annual budget in line with the SLA and the annual approved budget.

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Desired Experience & Qualification

• Bachelor's Degree/National Diploma (NQF Level 6\7) in Internal Auditing as recognised by SAQA; Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) or an Honour's degree in Internal Audit/Risk Management or equivalent;
• Minimum of 8 years' experience in Internal Audit, with at least 2 year's experience in leading and managing a team;
• Certified Internal Auditor (CIA);
• Membership with Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA)will be an added advantage.

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Proficiency in the International Professional Practices Framework (IPPF) Standards;
• Knowledge of Risk Management Frameworks: ISO 31000 and COSO ERM; and the COSO Internal Control Framework;
• Understanding of King IV and Corporate Governance Principles;
• Proficiency in internal audit methodologies, risk assessment, internal controls, and regulatory compliance;
• Experience in Business Continuity Management (BCM) and IT Controls will be an advantage;
• Proven track record of managing and leading successful internal audit engagements and teams;
• Strong analytical; problem-solving; attention to detail and critical-thinking skills, with the ability to provide strategic insights;
• Excellent communication skills: verbal and written; and excellent interpersonal skills to effectively interact with internal and external assurance providers, and other stakeholders at all levels;
• Understanding and applying relevant legislation, Policies, Procedures and all standards that have relevance to Internal Audit and Internal Controls: Institute of Internal Auditor's Integrated Professional Practices Framework (IPPF) Standards; COSO Internal Control Framework etc.

Package & Remuneration
Market Related
Interested?
Should we not contact you within one month of the close of date of this advertisement, please consider your application unsuccessful.

Closing Date for applications: 09 December 2024