Internal Auditor - Afrobarometer

Afrobarometer is a Pan-African, nonpartisan, nonprofit research network that conducts public attitude surveys on democracy, governance, the economy and social issues in African countries. Guided by the vision of a world in which Africa’s development is anchored in the realities and aspirations of its people, AB provides high-quality data and analysis on citizens’ evaluations and experiences of democratic governance and quality of life. This is provided as a public benefit and is freely available to policymakers, policy advocates, civil society organizations, academics, news media, donors and investors, and ordinary Africans.

Among Afrobarometer’s key achievements are proving that public attitudes research can be conducted even in fragile, post-conflict, and closed political environments in Africa; legitimating public opinion as a pillar of African democracy, governance and development decision-making; and building a network of researchers that has earned the reputation as the go-to source for reliable data on what Africans are thinking.

Afrobarometer’s institutional values are independence, excellence, collaboration, and commitment. Afrobarometer individual values are integrity, respect, responsiveness, cooperation, and fairness. Funders and other stakeholders are treated as partners in the advancement of Afrobarometer’s mission.

Relationships, non-partisanship, trust, and accountability are at the core of our work. Afrobarometer staff and network members appreciate benefiting from colleagues’ creativity, diligence, and enterprise, and value the ability to work individually and as part of a team. The qualities of leadership, initiative, and excellence are nurtured and rewarded. In pursuance of these values, all staff are required to abide by the Afrobarometer Statement of Personal and Professional Standards of Conduct.

Role Overview

The Internal Auditor serves as a key strategic partner, operating with independence and objectivity to enhance and protect organisational value. Administratively reporting to the CEO and functionally to the Board through the Finance, Audit, and Risk Committee, this role is central to AB’s commitment to robust governance, risk management, and compliance.

Responsibilities include providing independent assurance services, evaluating the adequacy and effectiveness of the internal control environment, assessing risk management processes, and reviewing the efficiency and integrity of governance structures. Furthermore, the Internal Auditor will ensure track compliance with internal policies, a diverse array of donor requirements, and relevant regulations.

Beyond assurance, this role encompasses advisory services, proactively identifying opportunities for process improvements, operational efficiencies, and enhanced financial performance. Critical assessments of financial and operational data, coupled with strategic recommendations, will be instrumental in fostering a culture of accountability, transparency, and continuous improvement throughout AB's operations and its partner networks across Africa.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Strategic Audit Leadership

• Lead the creation, implementation, and management of an annual risk-based internal audit plan, ensuring that it strategically aligns with the organisation's objectives, operational priorities, and the evolving risk landscape.
• Systematically identify, categorise, and prioritise inherent and residual risks across all functional areas, programs, and geographic operations to inform audit focus and resource allocation.
• Independently conduct a broad portfolio of audits (e.g., operational, financial, compliance, IT) across units, AB-related activities at core partner and support unit institutions, utilising both on-site visits and detailed desk reviews.
• Proactively evaluate processes to pinpoint inefficiencies, potential fraud risks, and critical control gaps, including performing root cause analysis to understand underlying issues.
• Deliver clear, concise, and forward-looking recommendations that drive tangible improvements, effectively mitigate identified risks, and enhance overall organisational performance and control posture.

Governance, Risk & Compliance

• Actively contribute to the continuous assessment, enhancement, and refinement of the network's internal control framework by proactively reviewing, recommending specific improvements to policies, procedures, and systems, and participating in control implementation to ensure robustness against evolving risks and promote a strong internal control culture.
• Evaluate and ensure strict adherence to all donor requirements, statutory regulations, and internal organisational policies.
• Conduct targeted compliance audits to verify adherence to agreements and monitor compliance with relevant local laws and international regulations; review organisational policies and procedures to ensure they are current, clearly communicated, and effectively implemented across all operations.
• Identify and report on instances of non-compliance, recommending immediate corrective measures to proactively mitigate associated financial, operational, and reputational risks.
• Provide timely support in conducting impartial investigations and special reviews into alleged fraud, misconduct, or irregularities as required by the Central Management Team (CMT) or the Board, including evidence gathering, forensic analysis, and preparing objective reports.

Advisory & Capacity Building

• Offer expert advisory support to the CMT and teams on best practices for internal control improvements, serving as a trusted advisor on operational, financial, and compliance processes.
• Assist units in designing more efficient, secure, and resilient workflows that embed strong controls, providing insights on emerging risks and best practices in governance and risk management.
• Collaborate with process owners to develop sustainable solutions for identified control weaknesses.
• Work with the HR and Administration Manager to develop and deliver targeted training sessions on risk management, internal controls, ethics, and compliance.
• Collaborate with the HR and Administration Manager to design and facilitate workshops and educational programs tailored to various network levels and unit needs to build a strong culture of awareness, accountability, integrity, and proactive risk management throughout the network.

Continuous Improvement & Collaboration

• Continuously stay updated on the latest internal audit standards, methodologies, and evolving donor regulations to ensure all audit practices remain current, robust, and effective.
• Maintain a strong commitment to continuous professional development through ongoing training, relevant certifications (e.g., CIA, CISA), and active engagement with professional bodies.
• Research, apply, and integrate cutting-edge audit techniques, tools, and data analytics approaches to enhance the efficiency, effectiveness, and insightfulness of audit engagements.
• Monitor changes in the regulatory landscape and donor requirements to proactively adjust audit scope and focus, ensuring the organisation remains compliant and prepared.
• Act as the primary liaison and collaborate effectively with external auditors during organisational audits, streamlining processes, coordinating documentation, and sharing relevant internal insights to ensure timely completion and a cohesive audit approach.

Qualifications:

Minimum Requirements

• Master’s degree in accounting, finance, auditing, or a closely related field is required.
• A recognised professional qualification (e.g., ICA, CPA, ACCA, CIA, CISA) is essential.
• At least 5 years of progressive auditing experience, with a minimum of 2 years specifically within the NGO sector, is required.
• Demonstrated experience in programmatic auditing, especially surveys and related field operations in Africa is preferred.
• A strong understanding and practical experience with key donor regulations, notably bilateral donors and private foundations is preferred, along with familiarity with audit management tools and ERP systems, preferably SAP.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team within a multi-cultural, as well as multi-country and multi-lingual contexts.
• Demonstrable capacity for evidence-based decision-making, problem-solving solving and sound judgement.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English. Proficiency in French and/or Portuguese is a significant advantage.
• Flexibility and willingness to work on a wide range of tasks.
• Ability to maintain privacy and confidentiality.
• Able to operate with diplomacy, tact, and empathy.
• Ability to build rapport with both leadership and other colleagues.
• Available for significant international travel when required.

Location: Accra, Ghana – with hybrid/remote options

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