Manager, Quality Assurance - Internal Audit

Job Purpose Summary

The incumbent will support the Quality Assurance (internal audit) team within the Professional Practices Department. The role contributes to providing independent quality assurance on the audit function's processes, ensuring full compliance with the Group Internal Audit Manual and the IPPF Framework. This includes performing detailed reviews of audit engagements, working papers, final reports and issue closure to ensure a high standard of quality. This role requires full compliance with the GIAD Group Audit Manual, IIA standards, and all relevant local regulations and industry audit standards. The incumbent will contribute to strengthening the organization's audit quality and efficiency.

Main Responsibilities

A. Shareholder & Financial:

• Contribute to the development and execution of the risk-based annual audit plan that aligns with the Group Internal Audit strategy and helps safeguard critical assets and systems that underpin the organization's financial operations and shareholder value.
• Assist in identifying significant risks that could lead to financial loss, operational disruption, or reputational damage, providing actionable recommendations to mitigate these risks.
• Assist in assessing the efficiency and effectiveness of audit-related investments and technology-related processes.

- Implements KPIs and best practices for Manager - Quality Assurance (Internal Audit)

• Promote cost consciousness and efficiency and enhance productivity, to minimise cost, avoid waste, and optimise benefits for the bank.
• Act within the limits of the powers delegated to the incumbent.

B. Customer (Internal & External):

• Assist in building and maintaining strong, independent, and collaborative relationships with all internal audit teams

and other relevant stakeholders across the Group.

• Communicate quality assurance assessments along with root causes, and recommendations to the VP, and other senior stakeholders as directed.
• Assist (internal) customers in all their queries on the audit processes and seek a solution to their requests.
• Maintain activities in accordance with Service Level Agreements (SLAs) with internal departments/units to achieve improvements in turn-around time.
• Assist in building and maintaining strong/effective relationships with related departments/units to achieve the Group’s objectives.
• Assist in providing timely/accurate data to external/internal Auditors, Compliance, Financial Control and Risk when required.

C. Internal (Processes, Products, Regulatory):

• Conduct detailed quality reviews of audit engagement files, working papers, reports and issue closure to assess whether audit documentation, testing and conclusions comply with internal methodology, GIAD Group Audit Manual, the IIA's International Professional Practices Framework (IPPF), and relevant country and industry standards.
• Assess the adequacy and effectiveness of the audit methodologies, governance structures, and quality control capabilities of the audit function. Identify recurring gaps, themes, opportunities for improvement from QA reviews and recommend corrective actions.
• Identify and report on the identified process and control weaknesses, process inefficiencies, and operational deficiencies within the audit function, providing technically sound and actionable recommendations to improve audit quality.
• Support the consistent application of audit methodologies, tools, and best practices across all audit engagements.

D. Learning & Knowledge:

• Contribute to fostering expertise in quality assurance, audit methodology, and data analytics.
• Stay abreast of global audit trends, evolving professional standards, and new technologies to proactively identify emerging risks and adapt audit strategies.
• Proactively identify areas for professional development of self and undertake development activities.
• Seek out opportunities to remain current with all developments in professional field.

E. Legal, Regulatory, and Risk Framework Responsibilities:

• Contribute to ensuring the Quality Assurance function operates in full compliance with all applicable global regulations on data privacy (e.g., GDPR, CCPA), and industry standards relevant to the organization. This includes strict adherence to the GIAD Group Audit Manual, the IIA Standards, and specific local regulatory requirements.
• Provide insights from QA results to the VP to contribute to the enhancement of the audit quality.
• Ensure audit engagements incorporate relevant regulatory compliance requirements and address inherent compliance risks.
• Comply with all applicable legal, regulatory and internal compliance requirements including, but not limited to, Group Compliance Policies and Procedures (AML & CTF, Sanctions Policy, Data Protection Policy, Fraud Control Policy, Whistle Blowing Policy, Conflict of Interest and Insider Dealing Policy).
• Understand and effectively perform your role under the Three Lines of Defence principle to identify measure, monitor, manage and report risks.
• Ensure systematic good outcomes for clients in accordance with Conduct Risk policy.
• Support the framework of RCSA, KRI, Incident reporting and remediation, as appropriate, in accordance with the

Operational Risk Management requirements.

• Maintain appropriate knowledge to ensure full qualification to undertake the role.
• Complete all mandatory training provided by the Bank, attain, and maintain the required levels of competence.
• Attend mandatory (internal and external) seminars as instructed by the Bank.

F. Other:

• Ensure high standards of data protection and confidentiality to safeguard commercially sensitive information.
• Maintain utmost confidentiality concerning customer and internal bank information obtained during the course of business and provide such information on a need-to-know basis only to Senior Management of QNB, Audit and Compliance functions, and relevant Regulators.
• Maintain high professional standards to uphold QNB's reputation and to strengthen its market leadership position.
• All other ad hoc duties/activities related to QNB that management might request from time to time.

Education and Experience Requirements

Education :

• University graduate preferably with a Major in Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, or a related field. Master’s is preferred.
• At least 6 years of progressive experience in internal audit, compliance, or a related field, with a focus on quality assurance, preferably within a highly rated international bank.
• Certifications: Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) is preferred. Additional certifications such as CISA, CAMS, or QA Reviewer are highly desirable.

Required Skills:

• Technical Skills: Deep understanding of audit methodologies, quality assurance practices, and professional audit standards; proven expertise in performing quality reviews; strong knowledge of internal controls and governance frameworks.
• Soft Skills: Solid analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities with a strong aptitude for process improvement; strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to translate complex process and methodology issues into understandable business risks for diverse audiences; high level of integrity, objectivity, and professional scepticism; solid interpersonal and influencing skills, with the ability to effectively challenge business and audit leaders; demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively
• Excellent oral and written communication skills (including report writing) in English and Arabic (preferred).
• Good interpersonal and presentation skills.
• Understanding of the relevant laws, regulations, and practices.
• Ability to make decisions and follow through with initiatives.
• Personal integrity and self-management.
• Planning, organising, and analytical ability.
• Results oriented.
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to communicate both verbally and in writing with all levels of management

Note: you will be required to attach the following: