Internal Audit Manager

Location: Penang, Malaysia

Date Published: 1 October 2026

Closing Date for Applications: 23 October at 2pm CEST.

About CGIAR

CGIAR has an ambitious agenda to deliver science and innovation and advance the transformation of food, land, and water systems to deliver diverse, healthy, safe, sufficient, and affordable diets, and ensure improved livelihoods and greater social equality. CGIAR operates as a matrix with each Center having its own governance and leadership structure operating alongside the integrated governance and leadership arrangements of CGIAR as a whole. 

About the position

The Integrated Partnership Internal Audit Function provides independent, objective assurance and advisory services designed to enhance and protect organizational value across CGIAR. The function supports the CGIAR System Organization and CGIAR entities through a coordinated, risk-based approach to governance, risk management and internal control.

Reporting to the Integrated Partnership Internal Audit Executive, the Audit Manager is responsible for leading and delivering risk-based internal audit and advisory engagements across the CGIAR System Organization and CGIAR partnership activities. The role supports the implementation of the Internal Audit Strategy and Annual Audit Plan and contributes to the continuous improvement of governance, risk management and control processes across CGIAR.

The position allocates approximately 50% of its time to System Organization assurance activities and 50% to CGIAR partnership engagements, including integrated audits, cross-organizational reviews and advisory assignments. All work is conducted in accordance with the Global Internal Audit Standards, the Institute of Internal Auditors Code of Ethics and CGIAR policies and frameworks.

Duties and Responsibilities

Purpose

• Lead and execute risk-based internal audit and advisory engagements across the CGIAR System Organization and CGIAR partnership activities to strengthen governance, risk management and internal controls.
• Provide independent and objective assurance on the effectiveness of governance, risk management and internal control processes to inform management decisions and corrective action..
• Provide technical input into risk-based audit plans aligned with CGIAR strategic priorities and organizational risks to focus assurance activities on priority risk areas.
• Provide technical inputs to the development and maintenance of the integrated CGIAR audit universe and assurance mapping to identify assurance coverage, gaps and overlaps.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen organizational effectiveness, accountability and risk management practices to improve controls and operational performance.
• Ensure audit activities are conducted in accordance with the Global Internal Audit Standards and professional auditing practices to maintain the quality, consistency and credibility of audit work.

Engagement

• Build effective working relationships with senior management, governance committees, Centre leadership and key stakeholders across CGIAR to secure cooperation and enable effective audit delivery.
• Collaborate with Centre Internal Audit functions and other assurance providers to coordinate assurance activities and promote efficient audit coverage.
• Present audit observations, recommendations and insights to management and governance bodies in a clear and constructive manner.
• Engage with external auditors, donors and other assurance providers, as appropriate, to align assurance activities and information requirements.
• Promote awareness of governance, risk management and internal control practices across CGIAR through advisory support and knowledge sharing to strengthen their consistent application.

Delivery

• Plan, supervise and conduct internal audit and advisory engagements, including coordinating and overseeing external consultants and/or co-sourced audit resources assigned to specific engagements, to ensure delivery within approved scope, timelines and quality requirements.
• Prepare high-quality audit reports and recommendations that are practical, risk-based and aligned with organizational objectives to enable informed decisions and proportionate corrective action.
• Monitor implementation of agreed management actions and report on the status of corrective actions and residual risks to promote timely remediation and accountability.
• Identify and propose improvements to audit methodologies, quality assurance processes, data analytics capabilities and audit tools to adapt audit delivery to evolving risks and operational needs.

Requirements

Education

• Advanced university degree in Accounting, Finance, Internal Audit, Risk Management, Business Administration or a related field.
• Professional certification such as CIA, CPA, ACCA, CA, CISA or equivalent internationally recognized qualification.
• Ongoing professional development in internal audit, governance, risk management or related disciplines.

Experience

• Progressively responsible experience in internal audit, external audit, risk management or assurance functions.
• Experience leading complex audit engagements in international, multilateral, development, research or similarly complex organizations.
• Experience coordinating or overseeing external consultants and/or co-sourced resources in the delivery of audit or advisory engagements.
• Experience applying risk-based auditing methodologies and assessing governance, risk management and internal control frameworks.
• Experience engaging with and advising senior management and governance bodies.
• Experience in international organizations, development finance institutions, UN agencies, NGOs or comparable environments is highly desirable.
• Experience using audit management systems, data analytics tools and technology-enabled auditing approaches is desirable

Competences

Core competencies

• Accountability: Takes ownership of results and delivers on commitments. • Operates with a high level of integrity, independence and professionalism.
• Collaboration and Communication: Builds productive relationships across organizational boundaries. • Communicates clearly and effectively with diverse stakeholders.
• Respect and Inclusion: Demonstrates respect for diversity and inclusion. • Fosters an environment of trust, collaboration and mutual respect.
• Results and Impact Orientation: Focuses on achieving high-quality outcomes and continuous improvement. • Uses sound judgment to prioritize risks and opportunities.

Functional and Technical competencies

• Analytical, Critical and Systems Thinking: Delivers strategic recommendations, leverages systems thinking to foster innovation and adaptability, and integrates complex interconnections across functions and programs.
• Knowledge Management: Fosters a culture of knowledge sharing and continuous learning, leads knowledge management initiatives, and measures and evaluates the success of knowledge management initiatives on organizational performance, gathering feedback and curating insights to strengthen the work.
• Monitoring and Reporting: Prioritizes critical monitoring information needs and designs integrated monitoring solutions using various tools and platforms; provides actionable insights for decision-making and leads the writing of comprehensive reports that integrate diverse insights and data.
• Compliance and Quality Assurance: Addresses policy or compliance gaps, ensures compliance with new legislation while maintaining a strong understanding of (donor) policies, compliance requirements, and organizational sustainability; establishes, implements, and monitors quality standards.
• Problem Solving: Effectively identifies risks, facilitates collaborative problem-solving and evaluates diverse solutions while remaining open to alternative approaches.

Managerial and Leadership competencies

• Managing Team Dynamics: Uses emotional intelligence to build trust and positive relationships with team members and stakeholders, handling challenges with empathy. Mentors and supports colleagues by fostering a safe space for learning, setting and assessing clear performance goals aligned with organizational growth, and providing constructive feedback to support professional development. Encourages and promotes personal and team responsibility for well-being, health and safety in the workplace, inspiring proactive action to ensure safe and inclusive practices and build mutual trust.
• Strategic Leadership: Builds trust and respect by actively engaging with stakeholders, responding to their needs, aligning strategies with stakeholder priorities, keeping them informed of developments, and driving collaborative efforts. Leads and supports change initiatives by inspiring adaptability, addressing barriers, monitoring progress, and using proactive consultation and engagement approaches. Anticipates and evaluates risks within teams or functions, ensures alignment with organizational goals and compliance requirements, and implements proactive risk-mitigation strategies. Demonstrates commitment to the organization’s vision and mission by aligning contributions with organizational goals and balancing short-term and long-term objectives in decision-making.

Languages

• Fluency in English is essential to communicate in writing and speaking.
• A working knowledge of an additional language is an advantage.

Term of Employment

Reports to: Integrated Partnership Internal Audit Executive

Grade: CG10

Benefits

The compensation and benefits package will be determined in consultation with the hosting center.

Submitting Your Application

All applications must be submitted online by clicking the “Apply” button below. If you require assistance or encounter any issues when submitting your application, please contact recruitment@cgiar.org and include the position title in the subject line. Please note that applications sent to this email address will not be considered.

Please ensure that your resume and cover letter are in English and do not include your marital status, age, or photograph. Documents submitted in any language other than English will not be reviewed.

CGIAR is committed to building fair, safe, and inclusive workplaces. We believe that diversity drives innovation, strengthens excellence, and is fundamental to our mission. We offer a multicultural, multigenerational, and multidisciplinary working environment, with a competitive salary, excellent benefits, and flexible working arrangements. We are intentional about creating an inclusive organization that reflects our global character and our commitment to gender equity.

We therefore encourage applications from individuals of all cultures, races, ethnicities, religions, national or regional origins, ages, disability statuses, sexual orientations, and gender identities. If you require an accommodation due to a disability, please email recruitment@cgiar.org with “Diversity and Inclusion Accommodation” in the subject line.

Candidates should ensure that all communications with CGIAR are sent only to email addresses ending in cgiar.org. CGIAR staff will never charge fees or request payment from candidates at any stage of the recruitment process.