Head of Internal Audit, Middle East & Africa

Head of Internal Audit Middle East & Africa

Cigna has a unique opportunity for experienced and talented audit leaders who are motivated to be a part of Cigna's rapidly growing business in the Middle East and Africa. This opportunity provides a unique experience to be responsible for leading the internal audit function for Cigna Healthcare's Middle East and Africa businesses while also being a part of a fortune 15 global organization and internal audit function. This role carries regulatory responsibility with the Central Bank of the UAE and plays a key part in ensuring strong governance, risk management, and internal controls.

The Head of Internal Audit Middle East and Africa has a direct reporting line to Cigna Healthcare's International Health Chief Auditor. In addition to collaborating with senior leadership and stakeholders, the Head of Internal Audit Middle East and Africa will have responsibility for engaging directly with internal governance committees and various regulators to deliver insights and to present the results of our audit activities, including recommendations for solutions to strengthen and drive efficiencies in the control environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, coach, and develop the Internal Audit team to deliver risk-based audits across the region while also ensuring adequate coverage relative to core businesses processes and functions.
• Design and maintain a strategic audit plan aligned with the Company's objectives, risks, and both UAE and broader Middle East regulatory obligations.
• Manage execution of audits, including scoping, planning, supervision, documentation, and reporting.
• Prepare and deliver presentations regarding audit findings to stakeholders, including senior management and the Executive Committees.
• Monitor the implementation of audit recommendations and escalate overdue actions.
• Engage with stakeholders on key initiatives to provide consultation regarding governance and internal control best practices.
• Build strong business relationships and work collaboratively with key functions, ensuring close coordination with Compliance and Risk Management to support a unified approach to control effectiveness and risk mitigation.
• Collaborate with Internal Audit teams operating globally to ensure alignment on audit coverage, knowledge sharing, and consistent application of best practices across the region.
• Act as the primary Internal Audit contact for regulatory matters across the Middle East, including ongoing engagement with regulators such as the Central Bank of the UAE.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field with a Postgraduate degree (i.e., Master's) preferred.
• Professional certifications such as CA, CPA, or CIA are highly desirable.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in Internal Audit within the insurance sector, including at least 3 years of experience in the UAE.

Knowledge and Abilities:

• Sound knowledge of UAE regulatory frameworks and financial reporting requirements.
• Strong technical expertise in accounting principles, control procedures, audit standards, and best practices.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English; proficiency in Arabic is an advantage.
• Strong interpersonal and presentation skills with the ability to engage and influence stakeholders at all levels.
• Proven leadership and project management skills; capable of motivating and guiding cross-functional teams.
• Demonstrated ability to build and sustain effective relationships across global and multicultural teams.
• High level of analytical thinking and sound judgment with a track record of making effective, well-reasoned decisions.
• Innovative mindset with the courage to challenge conventional thinking and improve processes.
• Strong organizational agility, ability to multi-task, and adapt to changing priorities.
• Comfortable operating in both office-based and virtual collaborative environments.
• Willingness to travel up to 30% with a strong commitment to working in multicultural settings.
• unquestionable ethics and integrity in all professional dealings.

Cigna Healthcare, a division of The Cigna Group, is an advocate for better health through every stage of life. We guide our customers through the healthcare system, empowering them with the information and insight they need to make the best choices for improving their health and vitality.

Cigna is an equal opportunities employer. Qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, age, disability, sex, childbirth (including pregnancy) or related medical conditions, including but not limited to lactation, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran or military status, religion, national origin, ancestry, marital or familial status, genetic information, status with regard to public assistance, citizenship status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable equal employment opportunity laws.