Head of Internal Audit

HEAD OF INTERNAL AUDIT

Position: Head of Internal Audit 

Function: Internal Audit

Duty Station: CIMERWA Plc – with responsibility across all Company locations, plants, offices, subsidiaries, projects and operations

Functional Reporting: Board through the Board Audit & Risk Committee (BARC)

Administrative Reporting: Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Employment Level: Executive / Senior Management

Role Summary

The Head of Internal Audit will establish, lead and continuously strengthen CIMERWA Plc’s Internal Audit Function and provide the Board, through the Board Audit & Risk Committee, and Executive Management with independent, risk-based and objective assurance, advice, insight and foresight. The role will independently assess the adequacy and effectiveness of the Company’s governance, risk management and internal control arrangements across its strategic, financial, operational and compliance activities.

Principal Responsibilities

• Establish, lead and continuously strengthen an effective and independent Internal Audit Function.
• Develop and periodically review the Internal Audit Strategy and Charter and present them to the BARC for review and approval.
• Develop and maintain a rolling, risk-based Internal Audit Plan aligned with CIMERWA’s strategy, risk profile, financial materiality, operational priorities and emerging risks.
• Provide independent assurance over governance, risk management, financial and operational controls, asset safeguarding, regulatory compliance and organisational performance.
• Lead audits across manufacturing and plant operations, quarrying and raw materials, procurement and supply chain, finance and treasury, sales and distribution, capital expenditure, inventory, HR and payroll, IT and cybersecurity, sustainability, health and safety, and legal and regulatory compliance.

• Evaluate controls designed to prevent and detect fraud, misconduct, conflicts of interest, errors, leakage and financial loss.
• Provide enhanced assurance over major capital investments, transformation programmes and other high-risk projects.
• Oversee investigations into suspected fraud, misconduct or significant control failures when specifically mandated by the BARC.
• Track Management’s implementation of agreed audit recommendations and escalate overdue or inadequately addressed high-risk matters.
• Prepare clear, concise, evidence-based and action-oriented Internal Audit reports and report regularly to the BARC.
• Provide an annual independent opinion on the adequacy and effectiveness of CIMERWA’s governance, risk management and internal control environment.
• Coordinate appropriately with External Audit, Risk, Compliance, Legal, Finance, Quality, Health & Safety, Security, Sustainability and other assurance providers.
• Maintain a robust Quality Assurance and Improvement Programme (QAIP) in accordance with applicable professional standards.
• Recruit, develop, coach and evaluate Internal Audit staff and ensure the Function has appropriate technical capabilities and resources.

Education & Professional Qualifications

• At least a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, Economics, Engineering, Information Systems or another relevant discipline.
• A relevant postgraduate or Master’s Degree will be an advantage.
• A recognised professional qualification such as CIA, CA, CPA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent is required or strongly preferred.
• Additional credentials in information systems audit, fraud examination, governance, data analytics or related disciplines will be an added advantage.

Experience Requirements

• Normally 10–15 years of progressively responsible experience in internal audit, assurance, finance, governance, internal controls or related disciplines.
• Substantial leadership responsibility and direct engagement with Boards or Audit Committees.
• Experience within manufacturing, mining, industrial operations, construction materials, FMCG or another asset-intensive sector is strongly preferred.
• Strong technical command of risk-based internal auditing, financial and operational controls, governance, investigations, technology and cybersecurity assurance, data analytics, capital projects, procurement, inventory management, revenue assurance, compliance and issue-remediation disciplines.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong leadership and executive presence.
• Independence of thought, professional scepticism and sound judgment.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
• Strong commercial and operational orientation.
• Strong stakeholder management and Board-level communication skills.
• Ability to challenge constructively and communicate difficult messages with clarity and professional authority.
• Unquestioned integrity, courage, discretion and intellectual curiosity.
• High professional proficiency in English; working knowledge of Kinyarwanda and/or French would be advantageous.

Professional Standards & Independence

The Head of Internal Audit will be expected to uphold the highest standards of integrity, objectivity, professional competence, due professional care and confidentiality and to maintain the organisational and professional independence of the Internal Audit Function. The Function shall operate in accordance with the Global Internal Audit Standards issued by The Institute of Internal Auditors, applicable laws and regulations of the Republic of Rwanda, relevant Capital Market Authority and Rwanda Stock Exchange requirements, and CIMERWA’s governance framework.

HOW TO APPLY:

Interested candidates are required to submit their application documents, including an application letter, a detailed curriculum vitae, copies of academic degree certificates, professional qualifications/certifications and any other relevant supporting documents, to:

• CIMERWA Plc Head Office at Kimihurura, Gasabo District
• Or via email: hrassistant@cimerwa.rw

Applications must be submitted no later than: 15 October 2026.

Note: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.