Senior Director, Internal Audit - Europe

Overview

The organization is seeking a Senior Director, Internal Audit (SDIA) to lead the Internal Audit Unit (IAU) within the Ethics and Compliance Department. The role provides independent, objective assurance and strategic insight to organizational leadership and the Joint Audit and Risk Committee (JARC).

This position is based in Europe (Netherlands, France, Belgium, Switzerland) and is full-time, regular employment.

Starting salary: €90,000, commensurate with professional experience and internal equity.

Closing date: Submit application by 20 November.

Risk level: Level 3 (Frequent contact with participants, direct contact with children, access to sensitive data, and/or high level of accountability.)

Responsibilities

Vision and Strategy

• Partner with stakeholders to develop and execute the IAU strategy, ensuring delivery of high-quality, risk-based audit and advisory services aligned to organizational priorities and evolving risk.
• Evaluate the adequacy and effectiveness of internal controls associated with new business models and innovative funding mechanisms.
• Ensure the IAU provides meaningful assurance, actionable recommendations, and risk insights that strengthen internal controls, support effective risk management, and enhance organizational performance and accountability.
• Develop audit reports, presentations, and communications that are clear, concise, objective, and impactful for management and governance decision-making.

Internal Audit Services

• Document, maintain, and periodically review the Internal Audit program, including audit methodologies and procedures, to ensure alignment with organizational policies and applicable donor requirements.
• Support special scope audits as requested by the Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer (CECO), other Executive Staff, or the JARC.
• Use appropriate reporting and governance channels to bring organizational conflicts of interest and significant internal control or compliance issues to CECO, senior management, and, where appropriate, the JARC.
• Maintain expert knowledge of organizational policies and procedures, staying current on applicable donor rules, regulations, and industry practices.
• Maintain secure systems and records to ensure security, completeness, and retention of Internal Audit documentation and historical records.
• Present audit findings and recommendations to senior management and other stakeholders as appropriate.
• Analyze information from audit, assurance, compliance, and review activities across the organization (e.g., donor audits, external reviews, and compliance monitoring) to inform audit strategy and risk management.
• Provide independent advice and insight on internal controls, risk management, and governance considerations related to system design, process improvements, and organizational automation initiatives.
• Provide periodic updates to the JARC on audit activities, significant findings, control deficiencies, and the status of management corrective actions.

Team Management

• Foster a culture of mutual respect, collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Set clear expectations, promote accountability, and support professional growth through coaching, feedback, and performance management.
• Lead, supervise, mentor, and develop IAU staff to ensure the team can deliver high-quality audit and advisory services.
• Partner with country and regional leadership to identify and prioritize control gaps, audit findings, and improvement opportunities.
• Strengthen IAU data analytics and continuous auditing capabilities to enhance risk assessment, improve audit effectiveness, and facilitate remote testing and monitoring of international operations.
• Leverage technology and data-driven insights to increase audit coverage, identify emerging risks, and improve efficiency and effectiveness.

Field Audits

• Subject to risk priorities and resource availability, lead or oversee approximately 2 to 4 field audits annually, including periodic travel to international field locations.
• Conduct or direct audits and special reviews identified through the annual audit plan, emerging risk assessments, management requests, or other organizational priorities.

Coordination

• Partner closely with the COO, GC, CFO, Corporate Finance, Grant Compliance Support Unit, Global Procurement and Logistics, International Finance, Program Operations teams, Human Resources, and the Global Controller to keep Internal Audit activities aligned with evolving risks, operations, policies, and procedures.
• Coordinate with other Ethics and Compliance Department functions to support information sharing and risk-based decision-making, ensuring significant audit findings and fraud and corruption indicators are appropriately considered and addressed.
• Collaborate with external auditors as necessary, and assist the Global Controller or International Finance Department in responding to relevant inquiries.
• Serve as a standing member of the Enterprise Risk Management Committee, providing insight on key risks, control effectiveness, emerging trends, and organizational risk efforts.
• Maintain strong working relationships across global and field operations.

Safeguarding Responsibilities

• Learn about safeguarding and integrate it into day-to-day work, including safeguarding risks and mitigations related to the area of work.
• Respect the dignity and well-being of participants and fellow team members, consistent with organizational values.
• Encourage openness and communication within the team, including use of reporting mechanisms (e.g., Integrity Hotline and other options) for concerns.

Reporting & Governance Access

• Reports directly to: Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer (CECO).
• Provides direct and independent access to the Chair of the JARC while continuing to report to CECO.
• Makes periodic presentations to the JARC.
• Supervises Internal Auditors (1).

Minimum Qualifications

• A degree in Business Administration, Accounting and/or Finance and Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) credentials are required.
• At least 10 years of progressive internal audit, risk management, compliance, or assurance experience.
• Significant experience leading audit functions in complex multinational organizations.
• Experience conducting audits in humanitarian, international development, non-profit or similarly regulated environments.
• Demonstrated knowledge of US government, EU, and major institutional donor compliance frameworks.
• Knowledge of international internal audit standards.
• Experience engaging directly with boards, audit committees, or equivalent governance bodies.
• Excellent writing and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate effectively with both financial and non-financial audiences.
• Experience working overseas with strong interpersonal and cross-cultural communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Additional certifications such as CPA, CISA, CFE, CRMA or equivalent are strongly preferred.

Compensation & Benefits

• Starting salary: €90,000, commensurate with professional experience and internal equity.
• Up to 5% of work time dedicated to learning activities that support personal and/or professional growth and development.

Location & Travel

• Location is flexible within continental Europe where the organization is registered and able to employ staff (Netherlands, France, Belgium, Switzerland).
• Travel: up to 40%, including travel to field locations that may include insecure or harsh environments.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The organization is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion or belief, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, or other characteristics protected under applicable law.

Safeguarding & Ethics

• The organization is committed to treating all individuals it comes into contact with through its work with respect and dignity.
• Zero tolerance for child abuse, sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment by or of team members.
• Team members are expected to complete mandatory Code of Conduct e-learning courses upon hire and on an annual basis, and to conduct themselves professionally while respecting local laws and customs.

Application Deadline

Submit application by 20 November.