Director of Internal Audit - UAE National

Overview

Director of Internal Audit

Company

• Government sector

Position Summary

1. Build the Internal Audit Department

• Establish the Internal Audit charter, methodology, and standards (risk-based approach, audit cycle, working papers, and reporting templates).
• Define the internal audit operating model (in-house vs co-sourced) suitable for a small, high-impact environment.
• Develop policies and tools that support audit execution, follow-up tracking, and continuous improvement.
• 2.
• Design & Deliver a Risk-Based Annual Audit Plan:
• Conduct enterprise-wide risk assessments for the Executive Office and the portfolio companies.
• Develop the annual audit plan from scratch, including scope, priorities, timelines, and resource requirements.
• Maintain a dynamic plan that adapts to business changes, emerging risks, and leadership priorities.

3. Strengthen Internal Controls & Governance

• Evaluate and improve internal control systems, segregation of duties, delegation of authority, and approval workflows.
• Review procurement and vendor management controls (from on boarding to contracting to payments).
• Assess adequacy of documentation, compliance with policies, and record retention practices.

4. Financial Audits & Controls Testing

• Evaluate and test controls across payments, treasury/banking, petty cash, expense claims, advances, fixed assets, accruals, reconciliations, and financial reporting.
• Assess compliance with DoA (Delegation of Authority), approval limits, supporting documentation, vendor master controls, and segregation of duties.
• Review corporate tax/VAT readiness and compliance controls where applicable (registration, documentation, reconciliation discipline, and filing governance).

5. Risk Management & Advisory Support

• Build and maintain a practical risk register and support management in embedding risk ownership.
• Provide advisory input on process changes, new initiatives, digital transformation efforts, and control design—while protecting audit independence.

6. Stakeholder Partnership & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Collaborate with Finance, HR, Legal, IT, Procurement, Operations, and company leadership to improve processes and build a culture of accountability.
• Present audit results confidently to senior stakeholders with a professional, constructive approach.
• Promote a collaborative environment where audit is seen as a partner for improvement—not a barrier.

7. Investigations & Special Reviews

• Support investigations into suspected misconduct, conflicts of interest, or financial irregularities. o Ensure confidentiality, evidence discipline, and professional reporting.
• Conduct or support fact-finding reviews into suspected fraud, misuse of funds/assets, policy breaches, or conflicts of interest.
• Plan interviews, preserve evidence, document findings objectively, and recommend corrective/preventive actions.
• Escalate sensitive issues appropriately while maintaining discretion and chain-of custody discipline.

8. Reporting & Executive Communication

• Produce concise, high-quality audit reports: executive summary, risk rating, findings, root causes, and actionable recommendations.
• Present findings confidently to senior stakeholders with executive presence, diplomacy, and firmness.
• Communicate effectively in Arabic and English (written reports and verbal briefings).

Technical and Professional Skills

• Strong knowledge of office management practices and administrative procedures.
• Strong experience in risk-based internal audit and building audit plans from scratch.
• Ability to audit end-to-end processes: procurement-to-payment, contract lifecycle, expense management, assets, and operational controls.
• Expertise in internal control frameworks, governance practices, and risk management principles.
• Strong audit reporting skills: concise executive summaries, clear risk ratings, actionable recommendations.
• Experience leading multiple audits/projects simultaneously and delivering to deadlines.
• Confident with data analysis tools (advanced Excel; exposure to ERP/accounting systems and dashboards is an advantage).
• Strong understanding of confidentiality standards in senior leadership environments.
• Understanding of UAE compliance environment relevant to the entities (Corporate Tax/VAT governance; AML awareness where relevant).

Leadership and Behavioral Skills

• Proven leadership: can build, mentor, and guide a small team or co-sourced partners.
• Highly organized, structured, and capable of driving projects to completion.
• Strong stakeholder management: diplomatic, firm, and able to influence without conflict.
• Collaborative, team-oriented mindset with the ability to work cross functionally.
• Innovation mindset: enjoys improving processes, simplifying controls, and recommending smarter ways of working.
• Excellent communication and executive presence in meetings and reporting.

Required Competencies (Crucial)

• Integrity & Independence – unbiased judgment; zero tolerance for misconduct.
• Confidentiality & Discretion – trusted with highly sensitive portfolio matters.
• Executive Presence (Confident Charisma) – credible, composed, persuasive; communicates with authority.
• Professional Skepticism – challenges assumptions, validates evidence, detects anomalies.
• Analytical Rigor – connects operational risks to financial impact; anticipates exposure.
• Attention to Detail – thorough testing, accurate documentation, strong conclusions.
• Diplomacy with Firmness – respectful stakeholder management while enforcing standards.
• Ownership & Follow-through – drives remediation and prevents repeat findings.
• Judgment Under Pressure – calm decision-making with tight timelines and sensitive topics.
• Continuous Improvement Mindset – proposes practical, implementable control enhancements.

Qualifications

• **Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or related field (Master’s preferred).**
• **Professional certification strongly preferred: CIA / CPA / ACCA / CFE / CISA.**
• **10+ years relevant audit experience, with proven leadership at senior level.**
• **Bilingual proficiency in Arabic and English is preferred.

Skills

Benefits

• Competitive salary package
• UAE National benefits as per company policy
• Annual leave and air ticket
• Medical insurance
• Professional development opportunities
• Email CVs to jobs@learntob.com