Head, Internal Control & Audit in a Financial Company (Microfinance Bank)

Job Title: Head, Internal Control & Audit

Location: Ojodu Berger, Lagos
Employment Type: Full-time

Job Summary

• The Head, Internal Control and Audit provide strategic leadership and independent assurance over the effectiveness of the bank's risk management, internal control, and governance processes

Responsibilities

• Keep abreast of emerging regulatory developments, industry trends, and best practices in internal audit and control, and advise the Board and Management accordingly.
• Oversee IT general controls, cybersecurity, information security, system access management, and business continuity/disaster recovery arrangements.
• Develop and present the annual risk-based Internal Audit Plan and Internal Control review programme to the Board Audit Committee for approval and ensure execution within the approved schedule.
• Prepare and manage the annual budget for the Internal Control and Audit Department, ensuring optimal use of resources.
• Ensure adequate coverage of surprise cash counts, vault checks, and physical verification of assets and collateral registers across the bank.
• Represent the bank at relevant industry, professional, and regulatory forums on matters relating to internal control and audit.
• Monitor adherence to credit approval limits, delegated authority structures, and service-level standards across business units.
• Serve as the primary liaison with the CBN, NDIC, external auditors, and other regulators/examiners during inspections, examinations, and audit engagements.
• Design, implement, and periodically review the Internal Control and Audit Charter, policies, procedures, and methodologies in line with leading practice and regulatory expectations.
• Lead the assessment of credit risk, operational risk, and asset quality, including review of non-performing loan portfolios and control weaknesses affecting the loan book.
• Foster and promote a strong internal control culture, ethical conduct, and compliance awareness across all levels of the bank.
• Provide strategic leadership, direction, and oversight for the Internal Control and Internal Audit functions.
• Direct the evaluation of internal controls over financial reporting, treasury and investment operations, procurement, payroll, and other key operational and financial processes.
• Direct investigations into fraud, forgery, suspicious transactions, and significant control breaches, and ensure timely escalation and resolution.
• Provide independent and objective assurance on the adequacy, effectiveness, and efficiency of the bank's risk management, internal control, and corporate governance processes.
• Track and drive the implementation of audit recommendations and management action plans, escalating unresolved high-risk issues to the Board and Executive Management.
• Ensure the effective operation of the bank's whistle-blowing policy and mechanism and oversee follow-up on reported concerns.
• Review and approve audit work papers and internal control review reports to ensure they meet professional quality standards prior to issuance.
• Oversee comprehensive audits of loan origination, underwriting, disbursement, collateral perfection, and loan recovery/delinquency management processes.
• Ensure the bank's compliance with CBN Prudential Guidelines, BOFIA, AML/CFT/CPF requirements, IFRS/IAS, and other applicable regulatory directives.
• Present quarterly (and as-required) Internal Audit and Internal Control reports to the Board Audit Committee, Board Risk Management Committee, and Executive Management.
• Build, lead, train, and develop a competent Internal Control and Audit team, ensuring appropriate staffing, succession planning, and continuous professional development.
• Perform any other duties as may be assigned by the Managing Director/CEO or the Board Audit Committee from time to time.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics, Business Administration, or a related field; a Master's degree is an added advantage.
• Minimum of seven (7) years of post-qualification experience in internal audit, internal control, risk management, or external audit, with at least three (3) years in a senior leadership/managerial capacity within a bank, microfinance institution, or other financial services organisation.
• Unquestioned personal integrity, objectivity, and strong ethical values consistent with the bank's culture.
• Excellent strategic thinking, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated experience engaging with the CBN, external auditors, and other regulators/examiners.
• Advanced proficiency in MS Office and audit/risk management software and databases.
• Relevant professional certification(s) such as ICAN, ACCA, CIA, CISA, CFE, or CRMA is required.
• Ability to work independently, exercise sound judgement, and manage multiple priorities under minimal supervision.
• Outstanding report writing skills, with the ability to present complex findings clearly to the Board and Executive Management.
• In-depth knowledge of CBN Guidelines/Circulars, Prudential Guidelines, BOFIA, AML/CFT/CPF Guidelines, IFRS/IAS, and Data Protection Regulations.
• Strong working knowledge of the COSO Risk and Internal Control Framework and enterprise risk management principles.
• Strong leadership, people management, and team development skills, with the ability to build and lead a high-performing department.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should send their current CV to: [email protected] using the Job Title as the subject of the mail.

Note: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.