Program Internal Auditor, Africa at Helen Keller International

Guided by the remarkable legacy of its co-founder, Helen Keller, Helen Keller Intl partners with communities striving to overcome longstanding cycles of poverty.  By delivering the essential building blocks of good health, sound nutrition and clear vision, we help millions of people create lasting change in their own lives.  Working in more than 20 countries – across Africa, Asia, Europe and the United States – and together with a global community of supporters, we are ensuring every person has the opportunity – as Helen did – to reach their true potential.

We are seeking an Internal Auditor to plan and conduct audits of an assigned portfolio of programs to assess adherence to Helen Keller’s policies and procedures and compliance with donor regulations and internal program implementation requirements.  A significant proportion of the portfolio will focus on our flagship multi-country portfolio of Vitamin A Program.  As a result, this position requires intensive travel (around 50%) to implementing countries and implementing areas within these countries. 

Background

Helen Keller’s Internal Audit unit brings a systematic, disciplined approach to evaluate and improve the effectiveness of risk management, control, and governance processes. It is an internal resource that provides independent, objective assurance and consulting to our many offices around the world to continuously improve Helen Keller’s operations in support of our mission. The function provides objective assurance on the effectiveness of the Helen Keller risk management framework. It is meant to be preventive and proactive in nature, with a strong training component that emphasizes personal responsibility at all levels.

Functional Relationships

To ensure congruity and consistency of financial policies and procedures, the Program Internal Auditor will be a member of the global Internal Audit unit of the Finance department while also serving as a key liaison to the Program Management Team (PMT) for the Vitamin A Program so that learnings from the audits can be fully integrated into program planning and implementation.

The position reports to the Senior Manager, Internal Audit (based in Cameroon), and will team up with other Internal Audit colleagues in accordance with the demands of the job. To maintain the independence of Internal Audit, the unit has a dual reporting structure, reporting functionally to the Audit Committee of the Board of Trustees and administratively to the Chief Finance Officer (CFO).

The Internal Auditor works closely with colleagues on the Vitamin A PMT, who in turn provide guidance to country office teams.  Together, the Internal Auditor and program colleagues liaise with members of Country Management Teams, including Country Directors, Finance Managers and Project Managers to plan audits and follow-up measures and facilitate the integration between finance and program work with the common goal of ensuring that project objectives are met. 

Helen Keller has a matrixed reporting structure that respects both local line management and the accountability and oversight duties of remote subject matter experts, such as members of the Internal Audit unit and the Vitamin A PMT. Regular communication and a spirit of teamwork are essential to make this structure thrive. 

Specific Responsibilities

• Develop and execute an annual audit plan for the Vitamin A Program that includes all implementing countries, and other programs, as assigned.
• Review internal controls, operating efficiency, and the adequacy of records and recordkeeping.
• Document all internal audit work using Audit Board software, maintaining adequate working papers, and ensuring that all work steps are completed in the system.
• Prepare consistent, concise, and informative audit reports to effectively communicate findings to auditees.
• Provide recommendations to address the findings, and strengthen internal guidelines, policies, procedures, and work processes.
• Follow-up internal audit findings monthly, using Audit Board software and seek explanations for open findings.
• Co-facilitate anti-fraud training, as needed.
• Any other work as assigned by the Internal Audit team.

Required Qualifications/Competencies

• Master’s degree in accounting, finance, or related field; with a minimum of 6-8 years directly related prior work experience including at least two years in a similar position/organization; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• CA/CIA/ACCA certification an advantage.
• Evidence of strong analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills,
• Ability and willingness to maintain strict confidentiality.
• Very good oral and written English and/or French language skills, including the ability to write well-structured audit reports, with an ability to navigate the other language as well.
• Highly computer literate, including knowledge of Microsoft office suite (Word; PowerPoint; Outlook), and strong Excel skills.
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize workload, assume responsibility for work, and follow through to completion.
• Strong interpersonal skills and experience working effectively in teams and cross-cultural settings.  Collaborative, flexible and solution-oriented.
• Interest in international development and public health programs as well as an understanding of the synergy between the programmatic, operational, and financial components in project design and implementation a strong plus.
• Demonstrable respect for all persons regardless of religion, ethnicity, class or gender, with a high comfort level working in a diverse environment with a demonstrated commitment to high professional ethical standards while maintaining a high level of confidentiality.
• Commitment to Helen Keller Intl’s work and mission

Ability and willingness to:

• flex work hours to accommodate multiple time zones; and
• undertake international travel (approximately 24 weeks of travel per year).

PLEASE NOTE: all staff must be vaccinated against COVID-19 in order to travel internationally.