Manager Operations Audit

Job Purpose:

To lead and manage the comprehensive audit function at Emarat Petroleum Company, ensuring the effectiveness and efficiency of operational, financial, technical, IT, and strategic processes across the organization. The Manager of Operations Audit will conduct thorough audits to assess compliance with internal policies, regulatory requirements, and industry standards, while identifying areas for improvement and risk mitigation. This role involves collaborating with various departments to provide actionable insights and recommendations that enhance operational performance, drive continuous improvement, and foster a culture of accountability and excellence.

Responsibilities:

• Lead and manage the operations audit team, overseeing the planning, execution, and reporting of various audits, including financial, technical, operational, IT, and strategic audits, as per the audit plan and as directed by the Chief Audit Executive (CAE).

• Conduct comprehensive assessments of operational processes and controls, identifying areas of risk, inefficiency, and non-compliance. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to facilitate audits, ensuring that all relevant information is gathered and that findings are communicated effectively to stakeholders.

• Conduct internal audit risk assessments to identify controls required to mitigate identified risks in accordance with established procedures.

• Conduct and supervise detailed fraud investigations, preparing reports for the CAEs review and issuance. Provide ongoing fraud awareness sessions across the company to enhance understanding and prevention of fraudulent activities.

• Prepare and present detailed audit reports that summarize findings, highlight key issues, and outline actionable recommendations for management, ensuring clarity and transparency in communication.

• Monitor the implementation of audit recommendations and follow up on corrective actions to ensure timely resolution of identified issues and continuous improvement in operations.

• Stay informed about industry trends, regulatory changes, and best practices in operations auditing to enhance the effectiveness of the audit function and align it with organizational goals.

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders across the organization to promote a culture of accountability and support for audit initiatives.

• Develop the annual audit plan by prioritizing activities based on risk assessments and strategic needs.

Quality & Excellence Management:

• Establish and implement quality assurance frameworks and standards for the operations audit function to ensure compliance with professional auditing standards and best practices, enhancing the overall quality of audit activities.

• Conduct regular reviews and evaluations of audit methodologies and processes to identify opportunities for improvement, ensuring that the operations audit function remains effective, efficient, and aligned with organizational objectives.

• Provide training and development opportunities for the operations audit team on quality management practices, auditing standards, and relevant regulations, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and professional growth.

• Monitor and analyze key performance indicators (KPIs) related to audit quality and effectiveness, reporting findings to senior management and recommending strategies for enhancing audit performance and operational excellence.

• Facilitate feedback sessions with stakeholders to gather insights on the audit process and outcomes, using this information to refine audit practices and improve stakeholder satisfaction and engagement.

People Management Responsibilities:

• Lead and motivate the audit team by fostering a collaborative work environment that encourages open communication, sets clear expectations for performance, and recognizes individual and team achievements to enhance overall morale and productivity.

• Conduct regular performance evaluations that provide constructive feedback and identify professional development opportunities, ensuring that team members have specific, measurable goals and access to training sessions that address skill gaps and promote their career growth.

• Manage resource allocation effectively by assessing project needs, balancing workloads among team members, and optimizing the use of budgetary resources to ensure that audit projects are adequately staffed and funded to achieve their objectives.

• Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, including senior management and other departments, by effectively communicating audit findings, fostering collaboration, and ensuring that audit objectives are aligned with the broader organizational goals.

• Promote a culture of compliance and ethical behavior within the team by ensuring adherence to relevant regulations and standards, providing guidance on ethical practices, encouraging transparency in audit processes, and addressing any compliance issues promptly and effectively.

Qualifications and Experience:

Preferred Educational Qualifications and Professional Certifications

• Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field.

• Professional Certifications CIA, CPA, CISA, CA, or ACCA

Experience:

• Required: Minimum 10 years in auditing, operations management, or a related field.

• Preferred: Experience in Oil & Gas sector.