Job overview
Date posted
02/10/2025
Location
Muscat, Oman
Salary
Undisclosed
Compensation
Job description
Based in Muscat and reporting to the VP Internal Audit, the Head of Internal Audit provides assurance to key stakeholders by leading end-to-end Internal Audit (IA) activities under the final scope of the VP, managing risk effectively with appropriate governance and internal control processes, and advising on best practices to increase value. Acting in accordance with OQEPâs Mission, Vision, Values & Strategiesâsupported by IT technology platforms, HSE standards, Omani government and legal justifications, and international best practicesâthe role advises on creation and maintenance of a risk-based internal audit plan (including budgeting and resources), implements and adjusts the plan for emerging risks, ensures methodical documentation per IIA standards, develops audit techniques, and follows up findings to drive operational excellence. Responsibilities include managing State/external auditor expectations, preparing Audit Committee materials, participating in Audit Committee meetings, evaluating staff performance and Individual Development Plans, maintaining close relationships with Executive Leadership, performing and directing audit procedures (issue definition, criteria development, evidence review, process documentation), communicating results via reports and presentations, maintaining communication lines with clients and management, leading investigations of significant issues including fraud, advising on Assurance Functions Charter, policies, procedures and standards, advising IA objectives, KPIs, targets and change/action plans, consolidating reports for Management, External Parties, State Audit Institution and the Audit Committee, supporting administration of the audit management system (access rights, reports, forms, workflows), advising on data and analytics requirements, managing stakeholders (Management, Assurance Leadership, ELT, BARC, Board, auditors, lawyers, external consultants, government/ministries), and keeping current on regulatory trends in auditing, technology and information security.
Required skills
Key responsibilities
- Advise the VP to create and maintain a risk-based internal audit plan, including budgeting and resource planning
- Lead implementation of the audit plan, ensuring proper resourcing and adjusting for emerging risks, operations, programs, systems and controls
- Keep the VP apprised of required changes to the internal audit plan
- Ensure methodical documentation of work plans, testing results, conclusions and recommendations in line with IIA standards
- Develop audit techniques to continually improve audit quality and relevance to business needs
- Ensure follow-up on findings and corrective actions to enhance risk management and operational excellence
- Manage requirements and expectations of State/external auditors as directed by the VP to remain within prescribed guidelines
- Prepare materials and participate in quarterly or more frequent Audit Committee meetings
- Evaluate Internal Audit staff performance and implement Individual Development Plans
- Maintain close, cordial working relationships with Executive Leadership levels
- Direct performance of audit procedures, define issues, develop audit criteria, review and analyze evidence, and document client processes and procedures
- Communicate audit and consulting project results via written reports and presentations to management
- Develop and maintain strong communication lines with clients, staff and management through individual contacts and group meetings
- Lead investigations of significant issues in the company, including fraud
- Advise the VP on setup/update/maintenance of the Assurance Functions Charter, policies, procedures and standards
- Advise on IA objectives, KPIs, targets and change/action plans together with the VP
- Consolidate reports for stakeholder reporting (Management, External Parties, State Audit Institution, Audit Committee) for VP approval
- Support oversight of the audit management systemâs technical/functional administration (user access, report development, customized forms/workflows)
- Advise on assisting Assurance members with data and analytics requirements, including extracting, compiling and analyzing data
Experience & skills
- Minimum of a Bachelorâs degree
- Preferred professional qualifications: CIA, CISA, CRMA, CRISC
- Minimum 10 years of internal auditing experience, including at least 3 years in a leadership position
- In-depth understanding of the Oil & Gas/Energy industry, especially Upstream, Projects, Commercial and F&S
- Experience leading diverse small to medium-sized teams on assignments with strict timelines and deliverables
- Big 4 experience is an advantage
- Demonstrated strategic orientation and advanced business/financial analytical skills
- Proven ability to influence complex internal and external stakeholders with conflicting interests
- Demonstrated ability to conduct complex negotiations
- Ability to present ideas succinctly and convincingly, adapting delivery to the audience
- Demonstrated leadership in developing high-performing teams and leading complex change
- English fluent (required); Arabic fluent (preferred)