Head of Internal Audit

About the role

A leading food production company, recruited by Stratostaff East Africa, is looking for an experienced Head of Internal Audit in Nairobi. The role oversees the internal audit function, provides assurance on risk management, governance and internal controls, leads the audit team and develops a strategic audit plan.

Key responsibilities

• Develop and execute risk-based audit plans and frameworks, ensuring effective internal controls, governance and compliance, and report findings to senior management and the Board Audit Committee.
• Establish and continuously improve a risk management framework, identifying and mitigating risks through recommendations and updated policies.
• Work with external auditors to ensure information exchange, statutory compliance and the integration of audit findings into improved processes.
• Build and lead a high-performing audit team through mentorship, clear objectives and a culture of accountability.
• Engage with internal and external stakeholders to align the audit function with organisational goals.
• Provide financial insights on controls and reporting, and support the Finance Department in adopting best practices.
• Drive adherence to corporate governance principles and advise senior management on governance trends and ethical standards.

Required profile

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration or a related field; a Master's degree is an added advantage.
• CPA, CISA, CFA or equivalent professional qualification.
• Minimum of 10 years' experience in both internal and external auditing.
• Proven experience leading audit functions at head of department level.
• Multisectoral experience, with a strong preference for FMCG.
• Significant experience in systems audits and risk management.

Required skills

• Strong leadership and team management skills.
• Analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills for stakeholder engagement.
• In-depth knowledge of corporate governance, risk management and regulatory compliance.
• Proficiency in audit tools and technologies.