Head of Internal Audit Full Time

Job Description

Are you a strategic audit leader passionate about strengthening governance, accountability, and organizational excellence?

The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) seeks to recruit the Head of Internal Audit to lead the overall Internal Audit function. This is a unique opportunity to provide independent, risk-based assurance and advisory services to strengthen governance, risk management, and internal controls across the institute. The incumbent shall be responsible for the supervision and coordination of audit activities across multiple field offices in addition to operations in Kenya and Ethiopia. The role shall serve as the principal advisor to the Audit, Finance, Risk Committee (AFRC) of the Board to ensure institutional compliance.

ILRI is an international organisation working for better lives and better planet through livestock. ILRI’s mission emphasises the interconnections between people, animals, and the environment, aiming to improve the lives of more than 300 million people in low- and middle-income countries through livestock science that supports equitable and resilient livestock systems, ultimately contributing to food systems transformation with climate and environmental benefits. This mission is delivered through two core strategic objectives: co-designing and deploying sustainable, science-based livestock solutions, and leveraging science to inform and influence policy and investment decisions.

ILRI is a member of the CGIAR, a global research alliance that works to transform food, land and water systems in a climate crisis and is the only CGIAR centre dedicated to addressing multiple development challenges through sustainable livestock solutions.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development and approval of the risk‑based annual and multi‑year audit plans covering internal and partnership audits, forming the basis for determining the scope of internal controls testing for review and approval by the AFRC.
• Provide independent insights and recommendations on emerging institutional risks, regulatory developments, donor compliance, and global trends in alignment with governance expectations.
• Develop and maintain audit policies, procedures, good practices and standard operating procedures to evaluate effectiveness of controls of the institute’s processes.
• Provide strategic oversight of audit execution across all audit cycles ensuring alignment with the approved audit plan, institutional risk priorities and quality standards.
• Oversee the establishment, implementation and effectiveness of governance systems for tracking audit actions and remedial outcomes, through the adoption of digital auditing tools, data analytics, automation, and technology-enabled assurance methodologies.
• Provide independent advisory to the AFRC and the Director General on matters relating to governance effectiveness, institutional accountability, risk exposure, and internal control frameworks.
• Ensure timely escalation of high‑risk issues and control deficiencies through the established mechanisms, provide periodic monitoring and reporting on implementation of remedial actions, and strengthen closure through formal accountability and defined timelines.
• Align internal audit priorities with ILRI’s strategic objectives, institutional risk appetite, enterprise risk registers, and emerging operational risks.
• Ensure institutional preparedness, resilience, and business continuity arrangements to support operational sustainability and crisis response capability through the evaluation of the adequacy of risk management practices across operational, financial, compliance, cybersecurity, and other reputational risk domains.
• Provide strategic leadership of the Internal Audit function, setting direction, priorities and capability requirements while fostering a high-performance and independent assurance culture.
• Oversee the design and delivery of periodic training programmes to strengthen awareness of internal controls and policy changes that will support institutional effectiveness.
• Direct special audit reviews ensuring appropriate scope, independence and reporting to the Board or the Director General.
• Oversee capacity development of the team and promote risk management, in cooperation with the Risk Management Committee, ensuring a culture of effective risk assessment and management across the institute.
• Oversee and ensure effective and efficient use of financial and other resources of the function.
• Safeguard the independence and objectivity of the Internal Audit function in line with IIA standards and best practice.
• Collaborate and foster strong working relationships with all relevant stakeholders across CGIAR to strengthen coordinated assurance and knowledge sharing.
• Perform any other related duties as may be required.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in accounting, finance, commerce, business administration or relevant field
• Relevant professional certification (e.g., CIA, CPA, CISA, or equivalent)
• Be a member with good standing status in the relevant professional body(ies)
• Minimum 12 years relevant experience
• Demonstrated expertise in quality assurance and the application of risk-based auditing methodologies
• Solid experience in ethics and fraud investigations, audit finance, governance, risk management and internal control frameworks
• Experience in a senior leadership/internal audit management role
• Experience in multicultural donor-funded or development/research institutions
• Extensive analytical capability with strong attention to detail and advance report writing skills
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence senior levels
• Sound knowledge of regulatory frameworks, legal principles and economic environments relevant to internal audit
• Strong ability to interpret and apply institutional policies, procedures, and governance frameworks, with the capability to quickly analyze, decipher, and operationalize complex policy information in a dynamic environment
• Proficiency in auditing-related information technology systems and digital audit tools.
• Strategic thinking and enterprise risk foresight

Post location: The position will be based in either Addis Ababa, Ethiopia or Nairobi, Kenya.

Terms of Appointment: This position is at job level HG 19, and it is open to both national and international applicants. The position is a three (3) year contract, renewable subject to satisfactory performance and availability of funding. ILRI offers a competitive international salary and benefits package which includes pension, medical insurance, life insurance and allowances for: education, housing, security, relocation, and home leave.

Applications

Applicants should send a cover letter and CV expressing their interest in the position, what they can bring to the role, and the names and addresses (including telephone and email) of three referees who are knowledgeable about their professional qualifications and work experience. The applications will be addressed to the Head of People and Culture and submitted through our recruitment portal by clicking on “Apply Now” on or before 2 July 2026.

Apply Link: https://www.ilri.org/join-us/jobs-careers?jid=61226-head-of-internal-audit

The position title and reference number: HIA/06/2026 should be clearly marked on the subject line of the cover letter.

ILRI does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing, or training). ILRI also does not concern itself with information on applicants’ bank accounts.

ILRI is an equal opportunity employer.