Head of Internal Audit

Description

CIMMYT is a cutting edge, non-profit, international organization dedicated to solving tomorrow's problems today. It is entrusted with fostering improved quantity, quality, and dependability of production systems and basic cereals such as maize, wheat, triticale, sorghum, millets, and associated crops through applied agricultural science, particularly in the Global South, through building strong partnerships. This combination enhances the livelihood trajectories and resilience of millions of resource-poor farmers, while working towards a more productive, inclusive, and resilient agrifood system within planetary boundaries.

For more information, visit cimmyt.org.

CIMMYT is looking for a proactive, self-driven, and service-focused professional to join our team as the Head of Internal Audit to lead the internal audit function, delivering assurance, advisory, and risk management services across CIMMYT headquarters and regional operations, while upholding the highest standards of auditing excellence. The vision for the Internal Audit area is to enhance and protect CIMMYT’s values while supporting the achievement of its objectives by providing strategic, solution-focused recommendations to improve operations.

This position will be based at CIMMYT HQ’s in Texcoco, Mexico.

Specific duties:

Internal Audit Management

• Develop and maintain a risk-based annual, medium-term, and long-term internal audit plan.
• Implement the annual audit plan, as approved by the Board, including any special tasks or projects requested by top leadership and/ or by the governing bodies.
• Oversee the planning, execution, and completion of audit engagements in line with relevant standards.
• Ensure that the internal audit function follows best practices and market standards.
• Provide independent, objective insights and risk-based assurance to CIMMYT’s governing bodies and top leadership about the organization’s internal control environment. This includes evaluating whether: CIMMYT risks are identified and effectively managed. Adequate controls (policies, procedures, etc.) and systems are in place to manage these risks. Frameworks are established to achieve efficiencies across CIMMYT.
• Support internal audit's strategy to keep pace with the business needs and priorities.

Networking and Interaction:

• Foster strong relationships and interaction between auditors and auditees.
• Streamline auditing processes to improve efficiency and effectiveness.
• Enhance staff awareness by providing expert tips and advice during regularly scheduled training sessions, and further improve audit planning and prioritization.

Assurance Activities

• Facilitate assurance activities to enable an effective control environment.
• Liaise with other assurance providers to align their work with institutional priorities and achieve governance/assurance objectives.
• Actively contribute to the creation and implementation of standardized monitoring and reporting mechanisms for all assurance providers.
• Track remedial actions taken to ensure a comprehensive approach and consistency.

Reporting and Quality Review

• As per international standards report to the Board Audit and Risk Committee Chair with a dotted line to the Director General (CEO).
• Produce high-quality, value-adding audit reports.
• Ensure that governing bodies receive timely, accurate, and complete information to fulfil their duties.
• Maintain high-quality work standards and stay up to date with the evolution of standards and practices.

Leadership and Development

• Lead projects or actions to implement the Internal Audit improvement plan (Continuous Improvement).
• Provide coaching and guidance to internal and service contracted audit teams.
• Prepare and monitor the Internal Audit function budget to implement the annual workplan.

Leadership/ Management Support and Learning

• Maintain strong relationships with all clients/auditees through effective networking.
• Facilitate the sharing of learning across the organization.
• Contribute to systems development work within the organization, providing independent advice on internal control levels.
• When necessary, conduct or support investigations of suspected fraudulent activities and inform top leadership and governing bodies of the findings.
• Serve on committees, task forces or other ad hoc groups as requested.
• Any other activity as assigned by your supervisor

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), or related designation.
• 7+ years of progressively responsible professional experience in audit or a related field.
• Working experience in auditing with international organizations (incl. funders) is highly desirable.
• Advanced level of English.
• Demonstrated knowledge of auditing principles, practices, and techniques, and the requirements of the Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing.
• Ability to plan and organize a substantial workload with diverse tasks and responsibilities.
• Experience in analyzing complete sets of data to identify anomalies and trends.
• Understanding scientific research controls and auditing research science management processes.
• Proven experience or willingness to travel for work in regions where CIMMYT operates.
• The selected requires the following competencies: Team Leadership, Negotiation and Conflict Resolution, Client Orientation, Teamwork, Critical Thinking, Problem Solving and Decision Making.

Benefits

The position is for an initial fixed term of three (3) years, after which further employment is subject to performance and the continued availability of funds. CIMMYT’s internationally competitive salary and benefits include housing allowance, car, comprehensive health and life insurance, assistance for children’s education, paid vacation, annual home travel airfare, contribution to a retirement plan, and generous assistance with relocation shipment.

Screening and follow-up of applications will begin on December 13, 2024.

Applications must include a CV with contact details (telephone and email address) of 3 work-related references along with the confirmation that Recruitment can contact them) and a cover letter.

Incomplete applications will not be taken into consideration.

Please note that only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

This position will remain open until filled.

CIMMYT is an equal opportunity employer. It fosters a multicultural work environment that values gender equality, teamwork, and respect for diversity. Women are encouraged to apply.