Audit Manager

Job description

Introduction We are a climate-focused blended finance investment manager operating in emerging markets across Africa, Asia, and Latin America. We raise and deploy blended climate finance funds, working in partnership to deliver climate-resilient solutions at scale and pace. With over USD 2.8 billion in assets under management, our private equity and private credit facilities address key areas of climate change mitigation and adaptation, including: renewable energy; energy transition and green hydrogen; water, waste and maritime; and sustainable cities and the built environment. We currently have 50 active projects across our Climate Investor One, Two and Three equity funds and have recently expanded into private credit through the GAIA Climate Loan Fund. Our funds are supported by public and private sector organisations. Public capital is deployed strategically to balance risk and mobilise private sector capital, enabling investment across the project lifecycle - from development to construction and operation. Established in 2015, we are a joint venture between Dutch development bank FMO and Sanlam InfraWorks of the Sanlam Group of South Africa, with offices in The Hague, Cape Town, Singapore, and Bogotá. Role Overview: The Audit Manager plays a key role in strengthening the organisation’s governance, risk management, and internal control environment. The role is responsible for leading risk-based internal audits, assessing the effectiveness of controls, and providing independent assurance to management and oversight bodies. The successful incumbent identifies control gaps, compliance risks, and process inefficiencies, and recommends practical improvements that enhance operational effectiveness and regulatory alignment. Working closely with business stakeholders, the Audit Manager supports sound risk management and continuous improvement, while ensuring adherence to internal policies, professional standards, and evolving business needs. In a period of organisational expansion and increasing complexity, Internal Audit serves as a trusted adviser, providing insight, judgement, and business-focused assurance across expanding operations and jurisdictions. Roles and Responsibilities: Audit Delivery Plan, lead, execute and deliver complex risk-based internal and IT audit reviews from scoping through to final reporting. Assess the adequacy and effectiveness of internal controls and identify areas for improvement. Support quality assurance activities to ensure audits are performed in line with approved methodology and professional standards. Contribute to the development of the annual internal audit plan by providing input on key risks and audit priorities. Monitor the implementation of agreed management actions and follow up on outstanding audit findings. Respond to ad hoc requests from management, including special reviews and advisory support. Assist the Head of Internal Audit with departmental activities, including audit reviews and execution of the internal audit strategy. Contribute to overall audit conclusions and the formulation of control assessments across audit engagements. Ensure compliance with internal audit methodology, professional standards, and applicable regulatory requirements. Stakeholder Management Build and maintain effective working relationships with key stakeholders, including senior management. Engage with business units to provide practical risk and control advice and support sound decision-making. Oversee audit engagements and provide guidance and oversight to during the audit process. Reporting Prepare, review, and discuss audit reports and management letters with relevant stakeholders. Provide input into reporting for the Audit and Risk Committee (ARC) and other governance forums. Qualifications & Experience Relevant BCom degree in Accounting, Internal Audit, or a related field, and/or a professional qualification such as CA(SA), CIA, or CISA. 8–10 years’ audit experience, including 3–4 years in financial services and/or asset management. Demonstrated experience leading complex audit engagements. Experience in assessing risk, internal controls, and governance processes within a regulated environment. Technical Skills Strong knowledge of the financial services and/or asset management industry. Sound understanding of internal control frameworks and control models. Good working knowledge of the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) Standards and related implementation guidance, particularly as it applies to audit execution. Understanding of audit sampling methodologies and their practical application. Knowledge of relevant corporate governance codes and their implications for internal audit and risk management. Understanding of the objectives, risks, and process flows associated with key business processes. Working knowledge of people management principles and staff supervision practices. Behavioural Competencies Integrity: complying with generally acceptable standard in activities related to the position. Devotion to quality: demanding a high quality of provided products and services and acting accordingly. Planning: systematically organising activities and setting time frames, setting priorities. Performing under pressure: maintaining an effective performance under pressure, or when faced with setbacks or disappointment. Structuring: applying, implementing, and maintaining structure in day-to-day business. Organisational sensitivity: recognising the impact of one’s own decisions or actions on other parts of the organisation. Analysing and forming opinions: being focused on examining matters in a systematic way. Situational awareness: demonstrate being well informed about developments in one’s own environment and effectively using this information for one’s own organisation.