Senior Manager Internal Audit

To plan, execute, and manage audit assignments, ensuring high-quality outcomes and effective team performance in accordance with the Country and Group Audit Plan, and relevant policies, procedures and quality standards

• Plan and deliver assigned audits to a high standard, ensuring adequate resourcing, scheduling, and adherence to audit timelines, while reviewing audit work to meet methodology requirements.

• Contribute to the annual audit planning process by identifying auditable entities, assessing audit needs, and preparing required Management Information reports.

• Conduct audits and provide assurance within defined timelines and resource budgets.

• Develop a comprehensive understanding of the audit methodology through training and practical application, ensuring that all approved audits are risk focused.

• Develop and maintain relationships with accountable stakeholder management for each audit.

• Achieve Quality Assurance (QA) scorecard results of at least 85%, reflecting high audit quality.

• Engage with Absa Internal Audit (IA) colleagues during assignments and request technical assistance where required, including the review of key risks and controls, working papers, and audit reports.

• Collaborate with Absa Internal Audit colleagues during assignments, requesting technical assistance as needed, including risk and control reviews, working paper assessments, and audit report reviews.

• Deliver on-the-job training for the audit team on audit tools, including Audit Bond, and ensure audit work is accurately completed, updated, and approved in line with QA requirements.

• Develop testing strategies for key business controls to ensure risks are effectively mitigated.

• Manage the execution of Design Effectiveness Testing (DEA) and Operational Effectiveness Testing (OET) of the audit team in line with methodology requirements and as per the QA scorecard.

• Review DEA and OET working papers to ensure thoroughness and adherence to standards.

• Provide effective feedback to audit staff during the audit assignment to confirm that working papers are completed in line with the IA methodology.

• Engage with management and auditors on audit progress, providing regular updates on identified control deficiencies at both DEA and OET levels.

• Build and maintain effective relationships with colleagues and stakeholders throughout the audit reporting process.

• Deliver audit reports of the highest quality in line with IA methodology, ensuring all significant issues are documented.

• Review management action plans to confirm that the identified risks associated with control failures are adequately addressed and that actions are specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and time-bound (SMART).

• Prepare and deliver high-quality reports for Board Audit Committee meetings and regulatory engagements.

• Leverage business knowledge to assess evolving risks and produce high-quality audit reports that provide insightful observations, address root causes, propose actionable solutions, and support the Issues Assurance process.

• Mentor and coach team members on audit methodology and processes.

• Support IA management in identifying, attracting, developing, and retaining talent on an ongoing basis.

• Manage teams assigned to the audit effectively by delegating audit work to empower each individual team member.

• Provide timely feedback to address development areas and recognise quality and audit achievement.

• Develop a high-performing team by embedding formal performance development and informal coaching, and encouraging frequent knowledge sharing.

• Motivate team members and ensure that their efforts are recognised.

• Participate in the implementation of Employee Opinion Survey (EOS) actions for the audit team.

• Manage leave planning, disciplinary matters, and grievance resolution.

• Improve technical knowledge through self-learning or training, including mandatory Continuous Professional Education requirements.

• Share knowledge in the area of responsibility with the team to ensure that audit activities are planned effectively and completed in line with quality standards and audit methodology.

• Present effectively at stakeholder meetings and forums by sharing knowledge and information, including methodology, standards, changes, and new developments.

• Perform all other duties as reasonably assigned.

• Understand and adhere to the appropriate Absa Policies and Standards applicable to the role.

• Understand and manage risks and risk events (incidents) in the role, contributing to adherence to the Absa Risk and Control Framework.

• Complete all mandatory training as required

• Honours Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related degree majoring in Accounting/Finance from an accredited University.

• Full professional qualification in Accounting/Audit in either ACCA, CIA, CISA or an equivalent relevant certification.

• Member of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Uganda (ICPAU).

• Minimum of 10 years relevant work experience, with at least 5 years at managerial level, preferably within a banking or financial services environment.

• Proficiency in audit management and data analysis software such as ACL.

• In-depth understanding of local and group jurisdictions and regulatory requirements for financial institutions.

• Strong knowledge of banking products, services, functional areas, and interlinked processes.

• Expertise in planning, executing, and evaluating risk assessments and control activities.

• Awareness of market trends, competitor practices, and industry dynamics.

• Track record of high performance in a large, matrix organisation.

• Proven ability to build relationships and operate at Senior/ExCo level while maintaining audit independence.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; proficient in audit tools and MS Office applications.

• Strong ability to plan, prioritise, and manage multiple audits and competing deadlines efficiently.

• Demonstrated ability to lead, coach, and develop audit teams to achieve high performance and deliver quality outcomes.

• Applies logical reasoning and professional judgment to resolve audit challenges and propose practical, value-adding recommendations.

• Understands and is able to apply auditing procedures and principles.

• Sound understanding of audit methodology, procedures, and auditing tools.

• Applies understanding of information-gathering methods (inquiry, inspection, interviews, analysis of financial data, use of basic audit technology features).

• Understands basic to intermediate features of audit technology and is able to record and present findings.

• Able to apply understanding of risks and controls within business and finance processes.

• Demonstrates understanding of professionalism and ethics in auditing.

• Applies knowledge and understanding of the principles of risk and security management within relevant legislative and regulatory frameworks.

• Actively manages, or takes responsibility for managing, risk and security.

• Able to evaluate risk factors that may impact the organisation, with in-depth knowledge of technologies and methods to manage risk and enable security.

• Makes suggestions to improve risk and security management.

• Bachelor’s Degrees and Advanced Diplomas: Business, Commerce and Management Studies (Required)