Background information about the job or company (e.g., role context, company overview)

The Zambia Institute for Policy Analysis and Research (ZIPAR), Zambia’s leading think tank, is seeking an experienced and motivated professional to fill the position of Audit and Risk Manager.

Contract Duration: Up to 5 Years

Salary Scale: Z3

Reporting Lines:

• Administratively: Executive Director
• Technically: Audit and Risk Committee of the Board
• Supervises: Risk Officer

Job Purpose: The Audit and Risk Manager provides independent, objective assurance and advisory services designed to add value and improve ZIPAR’s governance, risk management, and internal control processes. The role ensures that the Institute operates with integrity, accountability, and transparency in line with the governance expectations of the Zambian public sector governance framework.

Governance and Assurance

• Develop and implement a risk-based internal audit plan aligned with ZIPAR’s strategic objectives;
• Provide independent assurance to the Board and Executive Management on the adequacy and effectiveness of governance, risk management, and control systems;
• Ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, policies, and international standards (IFRS, IPSAS, IIA Standards); and
• Promote ethical leadership, integrity, and accountability across the institution.

Risk Management

• Establish and maintain an enterprise-wide risk management framework;
• Identify, assess, and monitor strategic, operational, financial, IT, and compliance risks;
• Advise management and the Board on emerging risks and recommend mitigation strategies; and
• Facilitate risk awareness and capacity building across departments.

Internal Audit and Controls

• Develop and oversee annual periodic audit plans and procedures;
• Conduct audits covering financial, operational, IT, performance, and compliance areas;
• Evaluate the reliability and integrity of financial and operational information;
• Review safeguarding of assets and ensure effective property and facility controls; and
• Monitor implementation of audit recommendations and report progress to the Audit and Risk Committee.

Fraud Prevention and Investigation

• Develop and oversee fraud risk management policies, frameworks and procedures;
• Investigate suspected fraud, corruption, or irregularities, and report findings to the Audit and Risk Committee; and
• Recommend corrective and preventive measures to strengthen internal controls.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Prepare and present quarterly and annual audit and risk reports to the Audit and Risk Committee of the Board;
• Provide advisory support to management in enhancing governance and compliance practices; and
• Ensure transparency and accountability in reporting to stakeholders, including regulators and funding partners

Qualifications or requirements (e.g., education, skills)

• Grade 12 Certificate or equivalent;
• Professional Chartered Accountant qualification of ZICA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent; and
• Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA).
• Master’s Degree in Finance, Accounting, Business or related field (added advantage).

Professional Memberships

• Registered and paid-up member of ZICA.
• Member of IIA Zambia

Experience needed

• Minimum 5 years’ senior management experience in audit and risk,
• At least 5 years of public sector audit experience
• Preferred: Knowledge of grant funds management.

Knowledge, Skills, and Competencies

• Strong understanding of King IV principles and the Zambian public sector governance frameworks.
• In-depth knowledge of IFRS and IPSAS.
• Analytical skills and problem-solving with sound judgement.
• Excellent oral, writing and presentation skills.
• Strong interpersonal and team leadership.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
• High integrity, ethical conduct, and commitment to accountability.
• Proficiency in IT audit tools, data analytics and MS Office tools

• Develop and implement a risk-based internal audit plan aligned with ZIPAR’s strategic objectives;
• Provide independent assurance to the Board and Executive Management on the adequacy and effectiveness of governance, risk management, and control systems;
• Ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, policies, and international standards (IFRS, IPSAS, IIA Standards); and
• Promote ethical leadership, integrity, and accountability across the institution.
• Establish and maintain an enterprise-wide risk management framework;
• Identify, assess, and monitor strategic, operational, financial, IT, and compliance risks;
• Advise management and the Board on emerging risks and recommend mitigation strategies; and
• Facilitate risk awareness and capacity building across departments.
• Develop and oversee annual periodic audit plans and procedures;
• Conduct audits covering financial, operational, IT, performance, and compliance areas;
• Evaluate the reliability and integrity of financial and operational information;
• Review safeguarding of assets and ensure effective property and facility controls; and
• Monitor implementation of audit recommendations and report progress to the Audit and Risk Committee.
• Develop and oversee fraud risk management policies, frameworks and procedures;
• Investigate suspected fraud, corruption, or irregularities, and report findings to the Audit and Risk Committee; and
• Recommend corrective and preventive measures to strengthen internal controls.
• Prepare and present quarterly and annual audit and risk reports to the Audit and Risk Committee of the Board;
• Provide advisory support to management in enhancing governance and compliance practices; and
• Ensure transparency and accountability in reporting to stakeholders, including regulators and funding partners

• Strong understanding of King IV principles and the Zambian public sector governance frameworks.
• In-depth knowledge of IFRS and IPSAS.
• Analytical skills and problem-solving with sound judgement.
• Excellent oral, writing and presentation skills.
• Strong interpersonal and team leadership.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
• High integrity, ethical conduct, and commitment to accountability.
• Proficiency in IT audit tools, data analytics and MS Office tools

• Grade 12 Certificate or equivalent;
• Professional Chartered Accountant qualification of ZICA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent; and
• Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA).
• Master’s Degree in Finance, Accounting, Business or related field (added advantage).
• Registered and paid-up member of ZICA.
• Member of IIA Zambia