The posting
Join a global movement to transform food, land, and water systems for a better future. Work alongside passionate experts from IWMI, IRRI, WorldFish and WorldVeg to create a food secure world in the face of climate challenges.
We are seeking an Internal Audit Manager for Audit Asia, which provides independent, risk-based assurance and advisory services to IRRI, IWMI, WorldFish and WorldVeg, strengthening governance, risk management and internal controls across the four Centers.
Reporting to the Director - Audit Asia, the Internal Audit Manager leads assigned audit engagements from planning through reporting and follow-up. The role supports risk-based audit planning, serves as the primary liaison for assigned Centers, and supervises assigned staff and consultants. It delivers clear, evidence-based insights and practical recommendations in accordance with the Global Internal Audit Standards and CGIAR methodologies, while maintaining independence, objectivity, and confidentiality.
Be part of something bigger. Contribute to a mission that matters.
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
Main Purpose of Job:
- Lead and execute assigned risk-based internal audit and advisory engagements across Audit Asia member Centers, providing independent and objective assurance on governance, risk management and internal controls to inform management decisions and corrective action.
- Provide technical input into risk-based audit plans aligned with Center objectives, organizational risks and emerging priorities, focusing assurance activities on significant risk areas.
- Contribute to the development and maintenance of Center audit universes and assurance mapping to identify coverage, gaps and overlaps.
- Identify opportunities to strengthen organizational effectiveness, accountability and risk management practices, improving controls and operational performance.
- Ensure assigned audit activities comply with the Global Internal Audit Standards and Audit Asia methodologies, maintaining the quality, consistency and credibility of audit work.
Main engagement, collaboration and communication responsibilities:
- Act as the primary audit liaison for assigned Centers and build effective relationships with senior management, Center leadership and key stakeholders to secure cooperation and support audit delivery while preserving independence.
- Present audit observations, recommendations and insights clearly and constructively to management; support the Director’s reporting and presentations to Audit, Finance and Risk Committees as required.
- Collaborate with Audit Asia colleagues, Center Internal Audit functions and other assurance providers, including external auditors and donors as appropriate, to coordinate coverage and information requirements under the Director’s direction.
- Guide and coach assigned staff and consultants, clarify expectations and provide constructive feedback to support professional development and effective teamwork.
- Promote awareness of governance, risk management and internal control practices through advisory support and knowledge sharing, including participation in internal audit communities of practice.
Main responsibilities in the delivery of timely and quality services:
- Plan, supervise and conduct assigned audit and advisory engagements, including technology-related audits and oversight of staff and co-sourced consultants, within approved scope, timelines, resources and quality requirements; integrate data analytics and technology considerations into fieldwork.
- Review working papers and validate evidence and conclusions; prepare clear, concise, high-quality reports with practical, risk-based recommendations aligned with Center objectives, confirming management action owners and timelines for the Director’s review.
- Monitor agreed management actions and verify implementation evidence; report corrective action status and residual risks, escalating overdue or inadequate responses to the Director to support timely remediation and accountability.
- Monitor engagement progress, address delivery issues and escalate significant or recurring risks and scope restrictions; propose improvements to audit methodologies, quality assurance processes, analytics capabilities and tools to respond to evolving risks and operational needs.
Requirements
Education, Certifications & Training:
- Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Internal Audit, Risk Management, Business Administration, Information Systems or a related field. A relevant Master's degree is preferred.
- Relevant professional certification, such as CIA, CPA, ACCA, CA, CISA or an equivalent internationally recognized qualification, is required.
Experience:
- Progressively responsible experience in internal audit, external audit, risk management or assurance functions.
- Experience leading complex audit engagements in international, multilateral, development, research or similarly complex organizations.
- Experience coordinating or overseeing external consultants and/or co-sourced resources in the delivery of audit or advisory engagements.
- Experience applying risk-based auditing methodologies and assessing governance, risk management and internal control frameworks.
- Experience engaging with and advising senior management and governance bodies.
- Experience in international organizations, development finance institutions, UN agencies, NGOs or comparable environments is highly desirable.
- Experience using audit management systems, data analytics tools and technology-enabled auditing approaches is desirable.
Language Proficiency:
- Fluency in English is essential to communicate in writing and speaking.
- Working knowledge of a second languages is desirable but not required.
Functional and Technical competencies:
- Analytical, Critical and Systems Thinking: Evaluates complex information, tests assumptions and uses systems thinking to understand interconnections across functions and programs. Identifies root causes and develops evidence-based recommendations that address systemic weaknesses and operational risks.
- Knowledge Management: Promotes knowledge sharing and continuous learning within the audit team. Maintains secure, accessible audit documentation, gathers feedback and curates lessons and insights to improve audit practices and organizational performance.
- Monitoring and Reporting: Prioritizes critical monitoring information and uses audit systems and other tools to track engagements and management actions. Produces concise reports that integrate relevant evidence and data into actionable insights for decision-making
- Compliance and Quality Assurance: Identifies policy and compliance gaps and assesses relevant legislation, donor requirements and organizational policies, seeking specialist advice where needed. Ensure audit quality assurance and continuous improvement in accordance with the IIA Global Internal Audit Standards.
- Problem Solving: Identifies risks and facilitates collaborative problem-solving. Evaluates diverse solutions, remains open to alternative approaches and develops practical, proportionate recommendations that address root causes and operational constraints.
- Technical Skills:
- Strong knowledge of risk-based audit methodologies and the IIA Global Internal Audit Standards, including audit planning, execution, reporting, and follow-up.
- Ability to evaluate the design and operating effectiveness of governance, risk management, and internal controls across financial, operational, compliance, and IT processes.
Benefits
This is a nationally recruited position, and the successful candidate will be hired in either Ghana or South Africa, as there is only one position available. Therefore, only candidates with the legal right to work in South Africa or Ghana (e.g., citizenship, permanent residency, or an independently held work visa not tied to an organization, etc.) will be considered.
IWMI offers a competitive salary and benefits package, including health insurance, life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance, and long-term disability coverage. The initial contract duration will be three (03) years, with the possibility of extension.
Please note that IWMI is leading this recruitment on behalf of Audit Asia. The successful candidate will be based in either South Africa or Ghana, depending on the country in which they have the legal right to work.
HOW TO APPLY: Apply for the position by following the application instructions at www.iwmi.org/jobs. We will be accepting applications through 24:00 (IST) on November 12, 2026 (applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis). Your application must include a CV, cover letter, portfolio links and three (3) references, which may be contacted if you are shortlisted. Receipt of all applications will be acknowledged, but only short-listed candidates will be contacted.
IWMI believes that diversity powers our innovation, contributes to our excellence, and is critical for our mission. We offer a multi-cultural, multi-color, multi-generational and multi-disciplinary working environment. We are consciously creating an inclusive organization that reflects our global character and our commitment to gender equity. We, therefore, encourage applicants from all cultures, races, ethnicities, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability status, sexual orientations, and gender identities.
