Lead Internal Auditor

The Children's Authority of Trinidad and Tobago is a specialized agency with the responsibility for the care and protection of children, especially those who are at risk or have been victims of abuse or neglect.

The Children's Authority of Trinidad and Tobago is seeking to recruit for an, Lead Internal Auditor, on contract.

The Lead Internal Auditor is responsible for overseeing the Audit function of the Children’s Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (CATT).  He/She will lead a team in analyzing the operational activities, procedures and processes to ensure that standards and quality are maintained and meet with Management to discuss audit findings and corrective action required.

Principal Accountabilities/ Key Functions:

• Develop new policy guidelines for the Internal Audit Department in response to changing systems and practices including government guidelines and international auditing standards and provide guidance to CATT to ensure compliance with these changes.
• Conduct the annual Risk Assessment exercise to determine priority audit areas. Plan and execute internal audit work programmes in accordance with the approved Internal Audit Plan and directives of the Audit Committee.
• Communicate Internal Audit Department requirements (budget, resources, etc.) to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) having consulted with the General Manager Finance Enterprise Risk and Information & Communciation Technology (GMFERICT), for approval by the Board of Management through the Audit Committee.
• Document existing processes including risk & controls and develop a control testing plan. Test the operation of and enhance the design of financial and operational controls.
• Track the timeliness and completeness of statutory reporting to ensure consistent compliance.
• Observe control procedures and attend physical counts and perform sample tests as instructed.
• Analyze and evaluate accounting documentation, reports, data, flowcharts, etc. Review and report on the reliability and integrity of financial and operating data.
• Evaluate information security and associated risk exposures.
• Report on routine financial controls testing to the GMFERICT, CEO and Audit Committee.
• Examine the effectiveness of all levels of management, systems and processes in the Care Sections in their stewardship of the CATT’s resources and their compliance with established policies, procedure, government regulations and guidelines and make recommendations for improvement as necessary.
• Assist and advise the Board of Management on internal audit issues as requested.
• Review and report on operations or programs to ascertain whether results are consistent with established objectives and goals.
• Prepare final audit reports stating deficiencies, implications, recommendations and management responses and meet with CATT’s Audit Committee to discuss findings. Ensure the security of audit files
• Ensure that Follow-up mechanisms are implemented within agreed timeframe and Corrective strategies are reviewed within agreed timeframe.
• Track responses to audit reports to ascertain the level of deficiencies corrected and adherence to internal controls. Conduct follow up audits to monitor control remediation. Recommend and support process improvements and collaborate with departments to bring about solutions to ensure strong internal controls.
• Engage with control owners and build trusted business relationships.  Collaborate with key personnel in all Departments of the Authority to train and inform functional and operational leaders at all levels in business risks and offer suggestions to mitigate risks.
• Participate in the development and implementation of the strategic direction of CATT.
• Prepare and submit monthly status reports on activities conducted to the Chairman of the Board of Management, the Audit Committee and the Line Ministry (Office of the Prime Minister – Ministry of Gender and Child Affairs).
• Represent the Authority at meetings and conferences and other functions as necessitated.
• Develop and conduct comprehensive induction, on-going training programmes and regular professional development opportunities for the Audit staff to ensure that they are well-prepared to manage any situation that may arise in the discharge of their duties.
• Supervise the staff of the Audit Department including scheduling performance reviews, taking disciplinary action and the implementation of personal improvement plans where needed.
• Maintain education and awareness of evolving external factors impacting operational, financial and technological reporting and control measures.
• Perform other Auditing duties as assigned by the Chairman of the Board of Management.

Minimum Qualifications:

• ACCA qualified or Masters in Business Administration (Risk Management Specialty)
• Certified Internal Auditor (CIA)
• Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)
• Registration with the Institute of Internal Auditors.
• Five (5) years’ experience in an Audit or Accounting department with at least two (2) years at a managerial level.

The Authority would like to thank all applicants for their interests, however, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Deadline: October 2, 2023