Head of Audit (OMAO) at Old Mutual Plc

The role is responsible for the functional management, administration, and audit assurance delivery of Old Mutual Nigeria Life Assurance Company Limited (OMNILAC) with the aim of providing independent opinion on the risk and control environment. The role holder is individually accountable for achieving results through execution of all audit assignments in OMNILAC. The role will report functionally to the Audit Committee Chair of the OMNILAC and administratively to the MD/CEO and the Head of Audit: Old Mutual Africa Regions.

Descriptor

• Manages, administers & executes an audit to provide an independent opinion on risk & control environment (or part thereof) within specific business unit or process.
• Delivers audit assignments in time & in accordance with Group Internal Audit methodology & as per agreed quality standards.
• Engages with BU process owners to agree audit deliveries & timelines (risk assessment & control workshops, adequacy assessments).
• Gains & applies extensive industry knowledge in area of expertise.
• The role will report functionally to the Audit Committee Chair of the OMNILAC and administratively to the MD/CEO and the Head of Audit: Old Mutual Africa Regions.

Key Objectives and Responsibilities

• Help the relevant Boards and Executive Management teams to protect the assets, reputation, and sustainability of the business.
• Challenge and influence the relevant executives to improve the governance, risk and control culture.
• Understands the risk profile of the business, gains and applies extensive industry knowledge in the various business lines.
• Provides independent opinion on risk & control environment for the various business units or processes.
• Help the business to deliver the strategic initiatives successfully by focusing on the most significant risks, both existing and emerging and the most significant strategic initiatives being undertaken.
• Development and implementation of risk-based audit plans aligned to the Group Strategy. The audit plan is delivered using the audit resources from the applicable specialist teams and includes co-ordination with the Subject Matter Lead (SML) in the Old Mutual Group to ensure the application of the right skills to the right assignments at the right times.
• Ensure sustained quality interaction with the OMNILAC Business Unit Executive Committees (Exco) as well as respective Audit and Risk Committees.
• Engages with business unit process owners to agree audit scope & deliveries (risk assessment & control workshops, adequacy assessments).
• Build relationship with the Audit Committees and provide quarterly updates on the outcome of audit assurance work to the respective Audit Committees.
• Deliver multiple audit assignments on time, in accordance with Group Internal Audit methodology and as per agreed quality standards.
• Gains & applies extensive industry knowledge within area of expertise.
• Provide clients with an understanding of GIA expectations and apply GIA protocols.

Key Attributes Required

• Ability to effectively engage and communicate with stakeholders at all levels within the organization
• Strong team leader and player with an innate passion for leadership
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously while retaining clear strategic focus.
• Driven to deliver real value and quality service to a demanding and diverse client base.
• Solid understanding of the financial services industry
• Excellent communication, presentation and report writing skills.
• Strong work ethic and ability to deliver exceptional results.
• Strong strategic thinking skills
• Strong influencing and negotiation skills
• Strong relationship management and interpersonal skills
• Confident and self-motivated

Qualifications and Experience

• A first degree or its equivalent
• Professional Accounting Certification – ICAN/ACCA
• ACAMS certification will be an advantage
• Excellent communication skills (verbal and written)
• Interpersonal and time management skills
• Extensive relevant experience, at least 10 years, in the internal audit function in the financial services sector and external audit experience
• In-depth understanding of the financial services sector including Life Insurance, Asset Management.
• Excellent performance track record

Education

• Bachelors Degree (B) (Required)