Head, Project Performance and Financial Auditor

Job Purpose:- The Head, Project Performance and financial Audit is responsible for leading the Group's project performance and financial audit functions wing to provide independent assurance on the effectiveness, efficiency, financial integrity, governance, and risk management of projects across the Group. The position evaluates whether projects and business units are achieving strategic objectives, delivering value for money, and maintaining effective financial controls in accordance with Group policies, approved budgets and applicable standards.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

Project Audit Strategy and Planning 

✓ Develop and implement a risk-based project audit strategy and annual audit plan covering all major projects and investment initiatives of Kerchanshe Group and undertake a follow up audit every quarter 

✓ Conduct project risk assessments to identify critical projects, high-value investments, and areas 2 requiring enhanced audit attention. 

✓ stablish audit priorities based on project size, complexity, financial exposure, strategic importance, and implementation risks.

 ✓ Ensure timely and effective audit coverage throughout the project lifecycle, including planning, execution, monitoring, and completion stages.

Project Governance and Compliance Audit

✓ Evaluate the effectiveness of project governance structures, roles, responsibilities, and decision making processes. 

✓ Assess whether projects are implemented in accordance with approved project bill of quantity, business cases, contracts, policies procedures, and project management frameworks. 

✓ Review compliance with approved project plans operational manuals, engineering specifications, procurement procedures and applicable regulatory requirements. ✓ Identify weaknesses in project governance and recommend improvements to strengthen accountability and oversight.

Project Performance Audit

✓ Lead audits to assess whether projects are achieving their intended objectives, deliverables, timelines and expected outcomes. 

✓ Assess the economy, efficiency, and effectiveness of projects and investment initiatives. Evaluate whether projects are achieving their intended objectives, expected benefits, and strategic outcomes. 

✓ Review projects regularly and visit project sites physically and undertake regular performance audit against budget utilized

 ✓ Review project performance against approved indicators, milestones, timelines, budgets, and quality standards.

 ✓ Analyze causes of project delays cost overruns, inefficiencies, and underperformance and recommend corrective actions 

✓ Provide assurance on value-for-money achievement from major investments.

Agriculture and Construction Project Audit

✓ Lead audits of entire farm development projects including Oro-meat and construction projects, infrastructure development, factory expansions, and other capital investments 

✓ Review project planning, design approval, contractor selection, contract administration, progress measurement, and payment processes. 

✓ Assess whether construction activities comply with approved designs, technical specifications, contractual requirements and quality standards 

✓ Review projects regularly and visit project sites physically and undertake regular performance audit against budget utilized with team 

✓ Assess the budget utilization of expenditure against project physical progress 

✓ Verify physical progress against reported achievements and approved project schedules. Identify risks related to cost escalation, delays, poor quality, and ineffective contractor management.

Budget and Cost Control Review

✓ Evaluate project budget preparation, approval processes and cost management practices. 

✓ Review project expenditures to ensure proper authorization, accuracy, transparency, and alignment with approved budgets 

✓ Assess causes of budget variances and recommend measures to improve cost control. 

✓ Evaluate the effectiveness of financial monitoring and reporting mechanisms for projects. 

✓ Ensure optimal utilization of financial and organizational resources

Risk Identification and Mitigation

✓ Identify and assess risks associated with project planning, implementation, resource utilization, procurement, contracts, and performance. 

✓ Evaluate the effectiveness of project risk management processes and mitigation strategies. Provide early warning on emerging project risks that may affect cost, schedule, quality, or strategic objectives.

 ✓ Collaborate with the Enterprise Risk and Compliance function to strengthen project risk management practices

Audit Execution and Quality Management

✓ Review the financial management of projects to ensure funds are used for their intended purposes 

✓ Assess the accuracy, completeness, and reliability of project financial records and reports. 

✓ Verify that project expenditures are properly authorized, recorded, and supported by appropriate documentation. 

✓ Review actual project costs against approved budgets and analyze significant variances. 

✓ Support management in improving project management practices without compromising audit independence. 

✓ Ensure project audits are conducted in accordance with approved internal audit methodologies professional standards, and quality requirements. 

✓ Ensure audit conclusions are supported by sufficient, reliable, and relevant evidence.

Audit Reporting and Follow-up

✓ Prepare and submit project audit reports every quarter to the Chief Internal Audit, Enterprise Risk and Compliance Officer. 

✓ Communicate significant project risks, control weaknesses performance issues, and improvement opportunities to management. 

✓ Monitor implementation of agreed corrective actions and track resolution of project audit findings. 

✓ Provide periodic reports on the status and performance of audited projects

Leadership and Team Development

✓ Supervise, and develop Senior Auditors - Project and Performance and Junior Auditors within the Project Audit Wng. 

✓ Assign audit responsibilities based on project complexity, auditor capability, and risk exposure.

 ✓ Promote professional development and continuous improvement of project audit skills.

 ✓ Ensure audit staff maintain professional ethics independence, and objectivity.

Stakeholder Engagement and Advisory Support

✓ Establish effective working relationships with project managers, engineering teams, finance departments, procurement units, and other relevant stakeholders. 

✓ Provide advisory input on strengthening project governance, controls, and performance management 

✓ Coordinate with external auditors’ consultants and technical specialists when required.

✓ Support management in improving project management practices without compromising audit independence.