Head Of Internal Audit - UAE National Emiratisation

General Overview

We are partnering with a prominent semi-government organisation within the UAE insurance and healthcare ecosystem to hire a Head of Internal Audit . This is a senior leadership role reporting to the Audit Committee and executive management , with responsibility for establishing and leading an independent, risk-based internal audit function aligned with international standards and UAE regulatory requirements.

The role offers a strategic opportunity to strengthen governance, risk management, and internal controls within a highly regulated and nationally significant organization.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and maintain a risk-based Internal Audit strategy and annual audit plan aligned with organizational objectives and regulatory expectations.
• Lead and oversee all internal audit activities, including operational, financial, IT, compliance, and governance audits.
• Provide independent assurance to the Audit Committee and senior management on the effectiveness of internal controls, risk management, and governance frameworks.
• Evaluate compliance with UAE regulatory requirements, internal policies, and international standards (e.g., IIA Standards, COSO).
• Identify control gaps, emerging risks, and systemic issues, ensuring timely follow-up and closure of audit findings and management action plans.
• Manage and maintain strong relationships with external auditors, regulators, and key internal stakeholders.
• Prepare and present clear, insightful audit reports and executive summaries to the Audit Committee and Board.
• Lead, mentor, and develop the internal audit team, fostering a culture of integrity, independence, and high performance.
• Advise senior leadership on governance, risk, and control improvements as a trusted assurance partner.