Internal Auditor (Data Assurance)

Absa is seeking an experienced Internal Auditor for its Data Assurance Audit team. The role focuses on executing audit assignments in line with the Group Internal Audit Charter, audit plans, and established methodologies. Key responsibilities include delivering scoped audit work, adhering to internal audit standards and procedures, operating effectively in an agile environment, and aligning with Absa’s culture and ways of working.

• Develop an in-depth knowledge of the methodology, by attending training sessions and using knowledge gained during audits, use this proactively in executing audit activities.
• Actively participate in all the audit phases - planning and scoping (identification of risks and controls), fieldwork (execution of design and operating effectiveness assessments) and reporting (ensure audit observations and planned actions are agreed with management for factual accuracy).
• Deliver as assigned by the Audit Manager / Head of Audit work to a high quality and in accordance with the requirements of the Quality Assurance scorecard.
• Assist the Audit Manager with planning and execution of Design Effectiveness and Operating Effectives Testing, uniformly applying the methodology and quality standards, focusing the work on key risks, with minimum supervision from the audit manager.
• Support Audit Manager with Data Management Risk SME review of planning documents, fieldwork, issues and report where applicable per agreed timelines.
• Support Audit Manager with Quarterly risk reporting and contribution from a data risk, issues MI and audits MI perspective.
• Ensure delivery adheres to the audit methodology and quality standards.
• Identify opportunities for using Data Analytics and enhanced automated auditing techniques.
• Prepare audit observations and make sure that they are concise, factually accurate and cover all of the significant issues. The observations must be insightful, address the root causes, and have agreed actions that fully mitigate the risk.
• Display professional scepticism, raising and discussing contentious observations with management and provide evidence to support all issues identified.
• Provide feedback to the Audit Manager and audit team with progress and observations raised during the audit by communicating honestly, frequently and effectively. Build and maintain good working relationships with fellow auditors.
• Participate fully and be supportive in all audits by providing assistance to the team where required. Be quick to learn and seek opportunities to share this knowledge with colleagues.
• Continue to update awareness of risk issues and changes across selected business units from interaction with management and provide feedback to the Audit Manager.
• Assist in the induction of new joiners, mentoring less experienced team members.
• Proactively take on additional tasks as requested by the Head of Audit – which may include managing Issue Assurance and production of team Management Information.
• Develop and enhance learning through seeking coaching, training and continual feedback.
• Acquisition of knowledge of the bank’s governance policies and standards, and data management requirements in execution of the collection, preparation, input, processing, output and storage of data across all business units.
• Assist the Audit Manager where required, in the drafting of the audit report in line with methodology requirements and as per the requirements of the Balanced Scorecard.
• Develop and maintain relationships with accountable management on each audit.
• Present effectively at stakeholder meetings and forums (e.g., Risk and Governance forums) to share knowledge and information including methodology, standards, changes and new developments with business stakeholders on an ongoing basis.
• Support other audit teams in identifying data management risk and/or assessing business unit adherence to the bank’s data management policies & standards.
• Provide oversight over the implementation of data governance policies, standards and processes, data quality and metadata concepts for all the data management disciplines in scope for Absa Africa Group.

• B Degree (Auditing, Information Systems/Technology, Commercial, Informatics, Statistics, Computer Science or equivalent) (required)
• 3 to 7 years technical experience in Data Management or IT Auditing (required)
• Experience in risk-based auditing or risk/control activities (Required)
• Higher Diploma/Certification in Data Management (preferred)
• Certified Information Systems Auditor (preferred)
• Certified Internal Auditor (preferred)
• DAMA DMBOK awareness and experience (preferred)
• Data Steward Certification (preferred)
• Knowledge about new and emerging data management techniques or regulations (preferred)
• Practical financial services industry knowledge (preferred)