Head Of Internal Audit & Portfolio Assurance

Head Of Internal Audit & Portfolio Assurance

Location: Lekki Phase 1, Lagos, Nigeria
Experience: 8–10 years post-qualification experience, including at least 5 years in an audit leadership role
Industry: Oil & Gas
Employment Type: Full-time
Reporting Line: Managing Director/CEO, with a functional reporting line to the Board Audit Committee
 
Job Summary
We are seeking an experienced, independent, and commercially minded Head of Internal Audit & Portfolio Assurance to establish and lead our Internal Audit function. The successful candidate will be responsible for developing the audit framework, methodology, policies, and annual audit plan, while providing independent assurance over financial reporting, internal controls, risk management, regulatory compliance, and governance across the company's operations and investment portfolio.
 
The role will involve reviewing financial and management reports, conducting risk-based audits, identifying financial and operational exposures, investigating irregularities, monitoring compliance with applicable Nigerian laws and regulations, and ensuring that audit findings are effectively addressed. The ideal candidate must demonstrate strong technical audit expertise, sound professional judgement, leadership capability, and the ability to engage constructively with senior management, external auditors, and portfolio company leadership.
 
Key Responsibilities
1) Department setup

·        Design the audit charter, operating model, annual audit plan and reporting calendar.

·        Define the department's structure, headcount and skills needs, and take part in hiring the team.

·        Select and implement audit tools, working paper standards and reporting templates.

 
2) Assurance and review

·        Review periodic management accounts, annual financial statements and investor reports submitted by portfolio companies.

·        Carry out risk-based audits and spot checks on revenue, cash, procurement, payroll, related-party dealings and use of Pivot's funds.

·        Verify compliance with investment agreements, covenants, budgets and agreed KPIs.

·        Assess the quality of external auditors' work and management letters at each company.

 
3) Risk, control and compliance

·        Evaluate internal control environments and recommend improvements.

·        Check compliance with applicable Nigerian tax, regulatory and statutory requirements.

·        Investigate irregularities and red flags, and lead special reviews where required.

 
4) Reporting and governance

·        Report findings, risk ratings and recommendations to executive management and the Audit Committee or Board.

·        Track remediation of findings to closure.

·        Support the investment team with financial review input for due diligence, valuation and exit.

 
Requirements
Essential

·        Degree in Accounting, Finance or a related field.

·        Professional qualification: ICAN, ACCA, ACA (or equivalent). CIA, CFE or CISA is an advantage.

·        8 to 10 years' post-qualification experience, including at least 5 years in a leadership role in audit

·        Strong working knowledge of IFRS, ISA and Nigerian regulatory requirements (FRC, CAMA, tax).

·        Proven experience building or restructuring an audit or assurance function.

·        Experience auditing or reviewing multiple entities across more than one sector.

 
Desirable

·        Exposure to energy, media, waste management, technology or other SME and mid-market sectors.

·        Experience with investor reporting, covenant monitoring or portfolio monitoring.

·        Familiarity with data analytics and continuous auditing tools.

 
Key Competencies

·        Independence, integrity and sound judgement under pressure.

·        Ability to challenge founders and senior management firmly and diplomatically.

·        Clear, concise report writing and presentation to board level.

·        Strong leadership, coaching and team-building skills.

·        Commercial mindset: balances rigour with practicality for growing businesses.

·        Willingness to travel to portfolio sites.

 
Performance Expectations

·        Within the first 12 months, the successful candidate is expected to:

·        Develop and obtain approval for the Internal Audit Charter and annual risk-based audit plan.

·        Establish an operational Internal Audit Department with appropriate staffing and methodologies.

·        Complete risk-prioritized reviews of the relevant portfolio companies and communicate significant findings.

·        Introduce standardized financial assurance and audit reporting processes.

·        Establish a remediation tracking system with clear ownership and agreed closure timelines.

·        Provide management and the Board Audit Committee with timely, actionable insights into significant risks and control weaknesses.

 
Salary & Benefit: N1,500,000 – N2,000,000 per month, depending on experience and qualifications, with additional benefits and allowances provided in line with company policy commensurate with experience.
 
How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should complete and submit the application form using the link below:

ht tps://forms.gle/K8DDg7QHWDiEDaP8A

Only candidates who meet the essential qualifications and experience requirements will be considered for further assessment.