Internal & Financial Audit Director

Core purpose of the Job:

Working closely with Digikala Executive Leadership Team and in line with the overarching Group Governance Framework and Strategy, establish and maintain an effective third-line assurance department encompassing internal audit services.

The position is responsible for the governance and management of the Internal Audit function and providing independent assurance on Digikala’s internal control environment through the implementation of Internal Audit and Risk Management methodologies, systems, tools, and best practices as prescribed by the RAC function. The role adds value to the business through recommending and monitoring remedial actions.

Context:

• Rapidly evolving technology environment.
• Achievement of top-quartile operating efficiency and effectiveness through scale, policies, and processes.
• Enabling growth through business intelligence and standardization to maximize business impact.
• Expectation management (customers and partners).
• Service orientation (internal and external).
• Highly regulated environment and government scrutiny; effective governance practices and control environment are critical.
• Diversifying landscape and evolving industry ecosystems.
• Shifting audit landscapes and evolution of audit approaches to include multiple lines of defence.
• Multidiscipline operating models and operating systems.
• Internal Audit (IA) and Combined Assurance (CA) methodologies, RM frameworks, policies, processes, and procedures.

Role Complexity:

• Liaise constantly with internal and external stakeholders such as Top Management, Group, Audit and Risk Committee, and key vendors across the business on various Internal Audit and Risk Management matters.
• Work with high-level management to ensure effective IA implementation throughout the company.
• Give professional advice and assist on ad hoc requests related to IA.
• Attend ad hoc steering committees for various projects on behalf of the Chief RAC Officer.
• Improve maturity of IA and FRM according to the Group Maturity Model.

Key Tasks:

• Lead the effective implementation of Internal Audit policy, procedures, and strategy.
• Perform data-driven analysis on special audits proactively and on an ad hoc basis as required on financial processes, reporting, and related areas.
• Lead and/or support specific audits to investigate adherence to policies, procedures, and requirements to identify and evaluate exposures and to correct defective processes.
• Prepare complex analyses, studies, and reports to ensure audit findings are properly documented and audit evidence is sufficient.
• Conduct comprehensive audit examinations to identify appropriate controls, key business risks, and compliance with financial and accounting rules and regulations.
• Respond to and effectively manage fraud, bribery, and misconduct-related investigations in line with Group policies and ensure remedial actions are taken regarding recoveries control.
• Coordinate internal audit efforts with external auditors.
• Monitor implementation of audit recommendations proposed by Internal Audit, as well as external auditors, to ensure corrective actions have been implemented to mitigate risks.
• Implement strategic initiatives and directives to support the mission, goals, and objectives of the company while fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
• Support employee-related preventive as well as non-compliance processes with regard to the employee disciplinary process.
• Adhere to the group escalation and incident management principles regarding internal audit findings.
• Adhere to the system of management reporting requirements that provides timely and relevant information on all aspects of internal audit and fraud issues to the Audit and Risk Committee.
• Vision and direction: Define business unit objectives in line with Group strategy to ensure that employees at all levels understand expectations and targets. Create a long-term vision of excellence and success, and generate deep-seated excitement, enthusiasm, and commitment to that vision.
• Provide advisory and consulting on all matters regarding internal audit.
• Communication & engagement: Inform, persuade, and inspire the team.
• Change maker: Adapt to and create change when appropriate or necessary.
• Problem solver: Be incisive, evaluate evidence judiciously, recognize hidden assumptions, and follow lines of reasoning.
• Manage the employment cycle of team members (resourcing, motivation, performance, recognition, rewards, etc.) and build a sustainable talent pipeline, supported by the HR Business Partner functionality.
• Empower teams to deliver on targets through promoting collaboration across interaction, cohesion, and synergy.
• Identify staff training and development needs and support the implementation of necessary actions.
• Manage staff career discussions, training, and development and ensure necessary actions/interventions are put in place.
• Create an enabling environment and culture for the team to perform.

Creativities (improvement/innovation inherent):

• Strong collaboration skills.
• Strong personal leadership; personal ethics and self-awareness.
• Business partner approach and internal service orientation.
• Strong understanding of related trends and best practices; understanding of the ecommerce industry.
• Strong team management: combination of functional and people management skills.
• Independence and integrity.
• Deep understanding of business strategy.
• Understanding of Digikala business and regulatory context as well as vulnerabilities.
• Timely decision-making and reporting.

Qualifications:

• Degree in Finance, Accounting, or related majors.
• Risk Management qualification would be an added advantage.
• 15–20 years’ work experience in finance and auditing.
• Detailed understanding of finance/accounting standards and strong aptitude for business and financial analysis.