Senior Director, Internal Audit - Netherlands, France, Belgium or Switzerland

Overview

This role is for a Senior Director, Internal Audit within the Internal Audit Unit (IAU), operating in the Ethics and Compliance Department. The Internal Audit Unit provides objective assurance that enterprise business risks are managed appropriately and that the agency’s risk management and internal control framework is operating effectively.

The position delivers independent, objective assurance and strategic insight to organizational leadership and the Joint Audit and Risk Committee (JARC).

Location

Flexible within continental Europe where the organization is registered and able to employ staff.

• Preferred countries: Netherlands, France, Belgium, Switzerland
• Travel: up to 40% to field locations, including program locations that may include insecure or harsh environments

Employment Status

• Full-Time, Regular
• Risk Level: Level 3
  • Frequent contact with participants, direct contact with children, access to sensitive data, and/or high level of accountability

Closing Date

Submit your application by 20 November.

Starting Salary

€90,000 (commensurate with professional experience and internal equity)

Responsibilities

Vision and Strategy

• Partner with stakeholders to develop and execute the IAU strategy, ensuring 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 audits and advisory work produce meaningful assurance, actionable recommendations, and risk insights that strengthen internal controls and support risk management and organizational performance.
• Develop clear, concise, objective, and impactful audit reports, presentations, and communications for management and governance bodies.

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 conflicts of interest and significant internal control or compliance issues to the CECO, senior management, and, where appropriate, the JARC.
• Maintain expert knowledge of relevant policies and procedures and remain current on applicable donor rules, regulations, and industry practices.
• Maintain secure systems and records to ensure the 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 (including donor audits, external reviews, and compliance monitoring) to inform audit strategy and risk management approach.
• 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 covering 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 has skills and resources to deliver high-quality audit and advisory services.
• Partner with country and regional leadership to identify and prioritize control gaps, audit findings, and improvement areas.
• Strengthen internal audit data analytics and continuous auditing capabilities to improve risk assessment, audit effectiveness, and the ability to test and monitor remotely.
• Leverage technology and data-driven insights to increase audit coverage, identify emerging risks, and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of audit activities.

Field Audits

• Lead or oversee execution of approximately 2 to 4 field audits annually, subject to risk priorities and resource availability (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

• Work closely with the COO, GC, CFO, Corporate Finance, Grant Compliance Support Unit, Global Procurement and Logistics, International Finance, Program Operations, Human Resources, and the Global Controller to keep internal audit activities aligned with evolving risks, operations, and policies.
• Coordinate with other Ethics and Compliance Department functions to facilitate information sharing, support risk-based decision making, and ensure 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.
• Build strong working relationships across global and field operations.

Safeguarding Responsibilities

• Learn about safeguarding and integrate it into work, including safeguarding risks and mitigations related to the area of work.
• Practice values that respect the dignity and well-being of participants and fellow team members.
• Encourage openness and communication in the team, including use of reporting mechanisms if concerns arise.

Reporting and Governance

• Reports directly to: Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer (CECO)
• Governance access: Direct and independent access to the Chair of the JARC while continuing to report to the CECO
• Makes periodic presentations to the JARC
• Supervisory responsibility: Internal Auditors (1)

Requirements

• 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; 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.

Safeguarding, Ethics, and Conduct

• The role requires alignment with safeguarding expectations and a commitment to respectful, professional conduct.
• Team members are expected to adhere to organizational Code of Conduct policies and values at all times and complete mandatory Code of Conduct e-learning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.

Equal Employment Opportunity

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