Auditors: Abuja + Agencies at Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)

Job Description

Under the supervision of the Principal Internal Auditor, Abuja + Agencies, the incumbent will implement comprehensive internal audit programs covering all risks relating to the applicable areas of intervention and in line with applicable professional standards, guidelines, and planning.

Job Responsibilities

• Execute and improve of the institution’s governance through offering valuable input to Governance, Risk, Compliance (GRC) and other risk management tools;
• Execute and positively contribute to the performance of risk-based audit activities on the ECOWAS institutions and Agencies as will be instructed;
• Prepare, document audit process, present objective reports that reflect audit results, make reasonable and objective recommendations on the systems and procedures being reviewed and monitor management’s response and implementation.
• Assist in the coordination of audit activities as per the Internal Audit Charter and Internal Audit Manual;
• Ensure the timely completion of internal audit engagements;
• Record, compile and summarise all findings related to audit programs in audit files for review by a supervisor;
• Conduct follow up audits to monitor management’s interventions;
• Improve or adapt as needed audit programs in accordance with the annual audit plan;
• Engage in continuous knowledge development regarding sector’s rules, regulations, best practices, tools, techniques and performance standards;
• Ensure that professional internal auditing standards are followed in line with best practices;
• Perform any other duties as directed by the Supervisor.

ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting or related field from a recognized University.
• 5 years of progressively responsible professional experience in audit, finance, accounting, administration, statistics;
• Experience in public sector auditing or related area is desirable;
• knowledge of auditing standards and practices, risk assessment, and applicable financial rules and procedures particularly Governance, Risk, Compliance (GRC) tools;
• Knowledge and experience of auditing in an ERP environment (SAP for instance) and using specialized IT audit applications;
• Demonstrated cognitive knowledge of specialized audit applications in a variety of disciplines and of best practices regarding performance standards;
• Demonstrated in-depth technical knowledge and hands-on experience in the field of auditing;
• Knowledge and experience of auditing in an ERP environment such as SAP and using specialized IT audit applications;
• Certification as a Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Chartered Accountant (CA), or equivalent will be an added advantage.

Age Limit

• Be below 50 years old. This provision does not apply to internal candidates.

ECOWAS KEY COMPETENCIES

• Ability to persuade/influence others to consider a certain point of view, adopt a new idea or implement new methods and practices;
• ability to lead a team of trainees/junior staff and instill a spirit of teamwork to engage employees and achieve a well-defined set of activities;
• ability to respect chain of command in an appropriate manner;
• ability to resolve challenges that occur with minimal direction and/or to recommend and explain solutions or alternatives for approval;
• ability to utilize the  Code of Ethics to manage self, others, information and resources;
• Ability to mentor others and create feedback loops with supervisors, colleagues and the subordinates to build strong working relationships and improve performance.
• Contribute to maintaining organizational unit’s performance goals and standards.
• interpersonal skills with ability to keep a client informed of progress or setbacks in projects of relevance to timeline, quality and quantity;
• ability to proactively interact with clients and build strong trusting relationships based on mutual respect and regular discussions;
• ability to establish and sustain professional credibility with clients/stakeholders in a manner that anticipates their need, mitigates issues and that carefully balances professional obligations with the need to be sensitive and responsive to their needs;
• ability to counsel, advise, consult and guide others on matters pertaining to assigned client service responsibilities and established client service standards;
• demonstrate respect for cultural differences, fairness and ability to relate well with people from varied backgrounds, nationality, gender, ethnicity, race and religion;
• understanding of diverse cultural views especially within West Africa, with sensitivity to group differences; ability to challenge bias and to practice tolerance and empathy;
• ability to listen actively, consider people’s concerns and apply  judgement, tact and diplomacy;
• ability to work in a diverse and inclusive interactive environment that benefits from diverse strengths;
• ability and responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work;
• ability to encourage, empower, and advocate for people in an unbias and transparent manner.
• knowledge of ECOWAS institutions, sectors, programmes and policies;
• knowledge of ECOWAS internal operational requirements of programs, projects, services and systems required to achieve work assignments and meet performance goals;
• knowledge of rules and procedures of ECOWAS associated assigned responsibilities and ability to explain these clearly to others;
• knowledge of the ECOWAS culture, structures, performance issues and priorities impacting assigned responsibilities;
• knowledge of member states development trends, indicators, challenges and opportunities as it relates to project/programme assigned to their own position.
• ability to study data/information from a variety of sources, identify anomalies, trends and issues, present findings, and make recommendations;
• ability to break down problems or processes into key parts to identify and solve gaps in service, quality assurance, compliance and performance targets;
• knowledge of and ability to apply techniques to generate creative ideas and new approaches to meeting goals;
• ability to use evidence and research to inform policies and programs and identify relevant and appropriate sources of information, including stakeholders, regional institutions and/or internal committees.
• demonstrate operational computer proficiency using appropriate tools;
• ability to make sound use of graphics and tables to effectively present numerical data to write semi-complex technical reports/proposals and edit/check templates, letters, etc.
• ability to convey information clearly and concisely in a succinct and organized manner through both writing and verbal means;
• exhibit interpersonal skills, make presentations, express opinions and debate ideas with others in a constructive manner;
• proficiency in  information communication technologies(ICT);
• Fluency in oral and written expressions in one of the ECOWAS official languages of the Community (English, French & Portuguese). Knowledge of an additional one will be an added advantage.
• ability to develop,  implement an individual action plan to achieve specific work  goals;
• identify ,organize and monitor tasks throughout to facilitate execution;
• ability to contribute and/or lead on projects as per accepted project management standards and techniques, to co-ordinate contributions by others  to set and meet deadlines;
• ability to organize work, set priorities, and work within timelines, giving attention to detail, stakeholders, indicators and risks;
• ability to identify, collect and assess indicators to monitor performance and to take proactive remedial action as required.

Application Deadline:

03 November 2021.

Method of Application

• All APPLICATIONS SHOULD BE SENT TO:   [email protected]