The posting
Job Description
The Specialist Internal Audit Data Analytics supports in assisting effectiveness of internal controls, accuracy of financial records, and efficiency of operations. Assists in the planning, preparing, implementing, and maintaining of all audit programs. Performs other duties as assigned by Head Internal Audit & Forensics
The Specialist Internal Audit Data Analytics reports to Head Internal Audit & Forensics and is an individual contributor. The role maintains liaison with Group Fintech Internal Audit & Forensics team, and MTN Group Internal Audit & Forensic team as and when required
Responsibilities
Key Deliverables
The Specialist Internal Audit Data Analytics will be accountable to achieve the following objectives:
Strategy Implementation
- Abide by and execute the functional strategy cascaded by the functional lead
- Assist in review of the functional strategy and roadmap, in collaboration with the functional lead, to ensure its alignment with the changing dynamics of the internal and external ecosystem
Governance
Strategic Meetings
- Participate in strategic meetings, when required
- Execute OpCo wide transformation initiatives, when required by the functional lead
- Implement adequate risk mitigation and controls, with directions from the functional lead
- Assist in the evaluation baseline of Service Level Agreements (SLAs) and KPIs, when required
- Assist in the preparation of proposal on change initiatives SLA, policies and procedures, when required
Escalations
- Escalate issues that will result in severe time, scope, productivity, and cost or resource impact to functional lead
Function Tactical
- Execute projects initiated in the specific sub-function
- Abide by the established objectives, targets and budgets for the sub-function, when required
- Document identified key risks, issues and dependencies and set mitigation actions, with guidance from the functional lead
- Prepare documentation required for sign-off on tactical changes
Performance
- Ensure execution in alignment with divisional strategy
Reporting
- Report on a daily basis to the functional lead relating to progress made within the work area and in accordance with the measurement metrics set by the organisation
- Report on an ad hoc basis on specific projects, as required
Budgets
- Abide by function’s budgets in line with business objectives
- Abide by project initiative budgets in line with business objectives
Operational Delivery
The role is accountable for the following work area outcomes:
Strategy & Analytics, Budgeting, Data and Reporting
- Execute policies, procedures and guidelines cascaded by the Head Internal Audit and ensure compliance with the same
- Comply with the set governance mechanisms, under supervision from the functional lead
- Evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of audit strategies and propose and offer suggestions for improvements
Internal Audit Operations
- Assist with the preparation and presentation of the annual audit plan
- Ensure implementation, compliance & adherence to the standards, policies, guidelines & processes defined by Group Fintech Internal Audit & Forensic team and MTN Group Internal Audit & Forensic team as applicable
- Implement and maintain annual audit plans
- Ensure implementation of efficient processes for documenting all audit-related initiatives and activities in line with the guidance provided by the Group function
- Present comprehensive written audit and investigation reports based on findings and observations, present findings and recommendations to the functional lead for approval
- Execute special audits on an ad-hoc basis as required by regulators, business line management, the Group or other Audit Committees
- Manage audits to investigate adherence with policies, procedures, and legal/regulatory requirements to identify and evaluate exposures and to correct defective processes
- Assist management with corrective action or improvement, and in follow up with management and outside parties to support closure
- Manage resource planning and requirements for Internal Audit assignments
- Manage GRC system and other analytical platforms for the Internal Audit function
- Assist analyzing data obtained for evidence of adequacy of internal controls, duplication of effort, extravagance, fraud, or lack of compliance with laws, government regulations, and management policies or procedures
- Implement efficient processes for documenting all audit-related initiatives and activities in line with the guidance provided by the Group function
- Work collaboratively with internal and external auditors, business process owners and management
- Plan and execute technology, security, networks and operational audit engagements in accordance with MTN audit methodology.
- Execute and coordinate continuous controls monitoring including through the effective use of proactive data analytics via SQL, ACL and MS Excel.
- Assess inherent and residual technology, operational and fraud risks in the company's business through identification and evaluation of risks.
- Prepare audit reports with value adding recommendations to enable the business adequately and effectively manage key risks.
- Support investigation of fraud incidents by planning, conducting, reporting, and documenting investigations.
- Follow up on recommendations made from audits and investigations to ensure timely implementation by management
Other tasks and duties, as assigned
Qualifications
Education:
- Bachelor's degree in Data Science, Computer Science /Engineering, Statistics, Applied Mathematics, Information Systems or a related field.
- Professional or postgraduate qualification in data analytics, information systems audit, fraud, risk or controls is advantageous, for example CIA, CISA, ACCA, CIMA, CPA, ACFE or relevant Microsoft/Azure credentials.
- Continued professional development in data engineering, analytics, audit automation, information security, AI and Fintech risk is expected.
Experience:
- Minimum 2 to 3 years of relevant experience in data analytics, internal audit, technology audit, risk analytics, fraud analytics or a related assurance field.
- Hands-on experience extracting, transforming and analysing large datasets and converting results into clear audit evidence and business insight.
- Experience in financial services, Fintech, telecommunications or related fields is an advantage.
- Experience collaborating with cross-functional teams in a multinational or emerging-market environment is advantageous.
- Practical exposure to internal audit methodology, controls testing, investigations or continuous auditing is advantageous.
Competencies:
Technical and Functional Knowledge:
- SQL and advanced data querying; Python or R for analysis and automation.
- Microsoft Fabric and/or Power BI; advanced Excel, Power Query and Power Pivot.
- Database and data-platform concepts, including Oracle, MS SQL, APIs, data lakes, cloud platforms such as Azure, AWS or GCP, and structured/unstructured data.
- Data mining, anomaly detection and basic predictive or machine-learning techniques, with understanding of model limitations and validation.
- Audit analytics tools such as ACL/HighBond, IDEA, TeamMate Analytics or equivalent are advantageous.
- Internal audit lifecycle, risk and control concepts, audit evidence and reporting, IT general controls, application controls, access management and segregation of duties.
- Data governance, privacy, information security, financial crime and regulatory considerations relevant to Fintech and mobile money.
- Understanding of Fintech and telecommunications systems, architecture, transaction flows and single-stack or multi-stack platforms.
