Internal Audit Manager

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT@ NICO Holdings Plc

POSITION : INTERNAL AUDIT MANAGER

Location: Blantyre

OVERVIEW

NICO Holdings Plc, a leading financial services company, invites applications from suitably qualified individuals to fill the following position:

1. INTERNAL AUDIT MANAGER

Reporting Structure:

• Direct Administrative Reporting: Head of Internal Audit

• Escalation Line / Group Oversight: Group Head of Internal Audit

Job Purpose

Reporting directly to the Head of Internal Audit, the Internal Audit Manager will support the operational leadership of the function to strengthen the NICO Group's ability to create, protect, and sustain value. The role holder will manage the day-to-day delivery of independent, risk-based and objective assurance, advice, insight, and foresight regarding the effectiveness of risk management, control, and governance processes. The Manager is responsible for supervising the execution of the approved Risk Based Internal Audit Plan, leading the audit team, and ensuring all engagements comply with professional standards and regulatory requirements.

Minimum Qualification and Experience Required

• Bachelor's degree in Internal Auditing, Accounting, Finance or a related field or a professional qualification in accounting: Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), Certified Public Accountant (CPA).

• Minimum of 6 - 8 years' practical working experience in internal or external audit (with minimum 4 years' experience in Insurance/Financial Services).

• Minimum 4 years managing audit teams and reviewing working papers.

• Location: Blantyre

Skills and Competencies Required

• Team Leadership & Development: Proven ability to manage, coach, and evaluate a team of auditors, ensuring optimal resource allocation and productivity.

• Quality Assurance Review: Expertise in reviewing audit working papers to ensure alignment with Global Internal Audit Standards.

• Stakeholder Management: Exceptional communication skills with a proven track record of presenting complex audit findings to Executive Management and negotiating corrective action plans.

• Report Writing: Concise report writing skills capable of converting technical control failures into high-impact audit reports.

• Insurance Sector Expertise: Strong technical knowledge of insurance operations, including underwriting governance, claims leakage controls, reinsurance structures, and reserving processes.

• Regulatory & Compliance Frameworks: Practical understanding of local insurance regulations, Financial Services Industry directives, and frameworks like IFRS 17.

• Risk Management: Advanced capability to identify, assess, and map operational, financial, and strategic risks to build a comprehensive audit universe.

• Audit Technology: Proficiency in modern Audit Management Systems, a candidate with TeamMate+ experience has an added advantage.

• Data Analytics Leadership: Strong analytical skills with the ability to leverage ACL data analytics tools to drive continuous auditing.

• Independence: High level of professional skepticism, objective judgment, and the ability to drive assignments forward with minimal supervision.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Develops and reviews the Group Internal Audit Manual and procedures in line with the Global Internal Audit Standards.

• Conducts quarterly risk assessments covering all subsidiaries under the NICO Group of companies.

• Translates the Annual Operating Plan received from the Head of Internal Audit into actionable monthly and weekly operational plans.

• Establishes and leads weekly Internal Audit meetings to track performance and identify the way forward.

• Plans individual audit assignments and submits the engagement plans to the Head of Internal Audit for approval.

• Manages audit engagements and special reviews in line with approved plans and submits findings to the Head of Internal Audit.

• Monitors and manages the implementation of scheduled company audits against the Board-approved annual audit plan.

• Manages and ensures absolute compliance with internal audit methodologies, risk management frameworks, and professional standards during assignments.

• Monitors the status and implementation of audit recommendations and tests the adequacy of management's action plans.

• Prepares and reviews audit reports and Board Committee packs and submits them to the Head of Internal Audit.

• Conducts special management-requested assignments and develops the required Terms of Reference (ToR) for these assignments.

• Participates in key business projects as a quality assurance partner and provides feedback to the Head of Internal Audit regarding exceptions.

• Evaluates team performance, identifies strengths and skill deficiencies, and implements necessary coaching or development actions.

How to Apply

For those that meet the above requirements kindly send your combined application letter and CV in pdf to the email address below (one combined document) with three referees to:

Closing Date for receiving application: 16th August 2026

Group Head of People and Culture

NICO Holdings Plc

P.O. Box 501

BLANTYRE

Or email: recruitments@nicomw.com