Africa Rice Recruits Internal Auditor
The Africa Rice Center (AfricaRice) is seeking a highly qualified Senior Internal Auditor to be based
at AfricaRice’s temporary headquarters in Cotonou, Benin.
About AfricaRice
AfricaRice is an association of 24 African member states and one of the 15 international Centers supported by the
Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR). The Center’s mission is to contribute to poverty
alleviation and food security in Africa, through research, development and partnership activities aimed at increasing the
productivity and profitability of the rice sector in ways that ensure the sustainability of the farming environment. AfricaRice
is temporarily headquartered in Cotonou, Benin.
Background
The Senior Internal Auditor (SIA) leads the internal audit unit and investigative services of AfricaRice in order and assists
the Center to meet its established business objectives through, inter alia, effective risk management.
The SIA achieves these objectives by:
o Providing independent, objective assurance of the effectiveness of internal controls and governance;
o Developing and promoting best practice policies for the effectiveness and efficiency of the Center’s operations;
o In consultation with the Board, management and stakeholders ensuring that a system for risk identification and
assessment is in place at AfricaRice;
o Ensuring that internal audit resources are employed efficiently and effectively, and in accordance with the overall
directives of the Board and the Center’s financial and administrative policies and procedures;
o Leading the timely preparation of all reports resulting from the execution of the unit’s work plans and programs;
o Performing his/her work in conformity with the International Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal
Auditing published by the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) and adopted by the CGIAR.
Specific Duties and Responsibilities of the SIA
Unit Leadership and Coordination
o Develops, in consultation with the Audit Committee (AC) of the Board, management and stakeholders, an annual
and rolling medium-term work plan for the unit;
o Provides leadership to unit staff in the implementation of the unit’s work plan, and ensures that resources are
efficiently used in its implementation;
o Establishes professional policies and procedures to guide unit staff;
o Mentors and coaches unit staff;
o Coordinates the internal and external audit efforts of the Center to ensure adequate and cost-effective audit
coverage to minimize duplication of audit efforts;
Risk Management
o In consultation with the AC, management and stakeholders, reviews the strategic priorities and activities of
AfricaRice to assess and identify potential risks to the organization;
o Assists management in developing risk management frameworks and scanning institutional risks scans on an
ongoing basis;
o Advises management on prioritizing identified risks and formulating mitigation actions;
o Provides leadership in the development of program and unit level risk registers, and reviews implementation of
the action points in the risk registers.
Reporting and Follow up
o Prepares summaries of audit findings for presentation and dissemination to H/Q and Regional office staff, and
actively promotes lessons learned and best practice in risk management and value for money across the Center;
o Monitors the implementation of audit recommendations, and follows up on management actions related to audit
findings;
Development and Promotion of a Professional Culture within the Center
o Provides leadership in the development and promotion of risk management and value for money throughout the
institution through workshops, training and dissemination of professional knowledge;
o Supports and monitors implementation of a whistle blower policy in the Center;
o Acts as the institutional focal point for professional development in internal audit from the CGIAR and IIA.
Requirements
The selection criteria for the SIA are those for an experienced internal auditor with a track record of demonstrated
excellence in not-for-profit international organizations who possessing superior critical thinking and communication
capabilities in order to help clients within the organization identify and implement improvements, and who can provide
leadership within the unit and the Center.
Applications should take into consideration the selection criteria listed below:
o University level academic qualification in relevant field (business administration, public administration, finance or
accounting).
o Professional qualification relevant to undertaking internal audit work. Particular qualifications which would be
desirable relate to internal auditing (CIA), accounting and financial management (CPA or CA or equivalent),
information technology (CISA, CISM), fraud examination (CFE) administration and corporate governance.
o At least 10 years of progressive experience in planning, conducting and managing internal or external audits;
investigations; and/or studies and consultancies related to corporate governance, risk management,
organizational development, internal controls and compliance systems. Having a significant part of that
experience devoted to internal audit would be an advantage. Having additional line experience within
organizations in financial, administrative, technology, project management, quality system, regulatory compliance
or corporate governance positions would also be an advantage.
o Ability to plan, conduct and manage audits, in accordance with international professional standards, in any or all
of the following fields:
· Operational/efficiency
· Information systems
· Financial reporting and financial / administrative controls
· Forensic audit and investigations
· Strong knowledge of internal control and risk management frameworks and concepts.
o Mature understanding of the ethical framework for internal auditors and an ability to appreciate ethical issues
applicable generally in the work place.
o Superior analytical skills.
o Superior skills in written and verbal communication in either English or French with a good working knowledge of
the other, together with proven ability to deliver clear, logical and succinct presentations and written reports and
correspondence.
o Ability to provide authoritative, professional advice and assistance to clients within the Center, and managing staff
in a constructive manner.
o Superior inter-personal skills, including an ability to work harmoniously in a multi-cultural environment within the
unit and Center.
o Willingness to undertake a significant amount of travel outside the duty station.
Terms and Conditions
o This is a regionally-recruited position and the appointment is for two years with possibility for renewal
o AfricaRice provides an attractive salary and benefits package and a collegial and gender-sensitive working
environment.
Application procedure
Candidates should send an application (including date of availability and a statement of any special qualifications for the
position) and an up-to-date detailed curriculum vitae (CV) with the names and addresses (including telephone / fax / email)
of three referees to:
Human Resources Department,
Africa Rice Center (AfricaRice)
01 BP 2031 Cotonou, Benin
F: + (229) 21 35 05 56; T: (229) 21 35 01 88
Email: africarice-hr@cgiar.org
Applications will be considered up to May 06, 2011.
AfricaRice believes that staff diversity promotes excellence in its operations, and encourages applications from women
and developing country professionals.
AfricaRice thanks all applicants but only the short listed candidates will be contacted.
To learn more about AfricaRice, please visit our website at www.AfricaRice.org.
