Head, Internal Control & Audit

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

• Provide strategic leadership, direction, and oversight for the Internal Control and Internal Audit functions.
• 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.
• Provide independent and objective assurance on the adequacy, effectiveness, and efficiency of the bank's risk management, internal control, and corporate governance processes.
• Design, implement, and periodically review the Internal Control and Audit Charter, policies, procedures, and methodologies in line with leading practice and regulatory expectations.
• 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.
• Direct the evaluation of internal controls over financial reporting, treasury and investment operations, procurement, payroll, and other key operational and financial processes.
• 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.
• Oversee IT general controls, cybersecurity, information security, system access management, and business continuity/disaster recovery arrangements.
• Direct investigations into fraud, forgery, suspicious transactions, and significant control breaches, and ensure timely escalation and resolution.
• Present quarterly and as-required Internal Audit and Internal Control reports to the Board Audit Committee, Board Risk Management Committee, and Executive Management.
• Track and drive the implementation of audit recommendations and management action plans, escalating unresolved high-risk issues to the Board and Executive Management.
• Serve as the primary liaison with the CBN, NDIC, external auditors, and other regulators/examiners during inspections, examinations, and audit engagements.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics, Business Administration, or a related field; a Master's degree is an added advantage.
• Relevant professional certifications such as ICAN, ACCA, CIA, CISA, CFE, or CRMA is required.
• 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.
• 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.
• Demonstrated experience engaging with the CBN, external auditors, and other regulators/examiners.
• Strong leadership, people management, and team development skills, with the ability to build and lead a high-performing department.