Tenders Are Invited For Chief Audit Executive (Cae) / Head Of Internal Audit

Tenders are invited for Chief Audit Executive (CAE) / Head of Internal Audit. Closing Date: 7 Oct 2026 Type: Consultancy Background: The Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC) is an autonomous international organization working to build the resilience of people and institutions to disasters and climate change in Asia and the Pacific. ADPC operates through partnerships with governments, development partners, donors, civil society, academia, and other stakeholders, and manages programs, grants, projects, country operations, procurement, finance, human resources, information systems, and other institutional functions. ADPC has adopted the Three Lines Governance Model. Management owns and manages risks; Risk Management, Compliance, Legal, Quality Assurance and other oversight functions form the second line; and Internal Audit provides independent assurance as the third line. The Internal Audit function is intended to strengthen ADPCs ability to create, protect, and sustain value through independent, risk-based and objective assurance, advice, insight and foresight. ADPCs Board of Trustees approved the Internal Audit Policy in August 2026. The Policy requires the Internal Audit function to operate in conformance with The Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) Global Internal Audit Standards and establishes the organizational independence, authority, reporting relationships, responsibilities, and quality requirements of the function. ADPC therefore seeks a highly qualified and experienced Chief Audit Executive (CAE) to establish, lead and continuously strengthen an independent and risk-based Internal Audit function appropriate to ADPCs mandate, operating environment, donor-funded portfolio, governance arrangements, and risk profile. Purpose and Objectives: The Chief Audit Executive will provide strategic leadership and effective management of ADPCs Internal Audit function and provide the Board of Trustees and Executive Committee with independent, objective and risk-based assurance and advisory services on the adequacy and effectiveness of governance, risk management and internal control. The CAE will ensure that the Internal Audit function is established and operated in accordance with ADPCs Internal Audit Policy and the applicable IIA Global Internal Audit Standards, while maintaining independence, objectivity, professional judgment, confidentiality, and due professional care. Organizational Independence and Reporting: The CAE shall report functionally to the Board of Trustees. Where the Board establishes an Audit Committee and delegates relevant oversight responsibilities to it, the CAE shall work directly with the Audit Committee within that delegated authority. The CAE shall report administratively to the Executive Director for day-to-day administrative matters. The CAE shall have direct and unrestricted access to the Board of Trustees and, where applicable, the Audit Committee, including the ability to communicate in private without management present. The CAE shall be free from interference in determining the scope of internal auditing, performing work, communicating results, allocating resources, selecting subjects, and applying audit techniques. The CAE shall promptly disclose any actual, potential, or perceived impairment to independence or objectivity, as well as any inappropriate scope or resource limitation, to the appropriate governance body. Scope of Work and Key Responsibilities: 1. Establish and Manage the Internal Audit Function Establish and maintain the Internal Audit function, methodologies, procedures, templates, documentation standards, and operating arrangements in accordance with ADPCs Internal Audit Policy and applicable professional standards. Develop and periodically update an Internal Audit Universe covering ADPCs significant activities, processes, risks, systems, programs and entities, including governance, finance, procurement, human resources, information technology and cybersecurity, project management, country offices, grants management, safeguarding, business continuity, climate and environmental risks, and third-party management. Develop a risk-based annual Internal Audit Plan and a rolling three-year strategic Internal Audit Plan, taking into account ADPCs objectives, risk profile, donor obligations, governance priorities, management input, and emerging risks. Present the proposed audit plans, resource requirements and material revisions for review and approval by the Board of Trustees/Audit Committee, as applicable. Ensure that Internal Audit collectively possesses or obtains the knowledge, skills and competencies necessary to fulfil its mandate, including through specialist or co-sourced support where required. 2. Perform and Oversee Internal Audit Engagements Plan and conduct risk-based assurance and advisory engagements across ADPC in accordance with the approved Internal Audit Plan. For each engagement, hold an opening meeting with the relevant process owner; perform walkthroughs and understand key processes and controls; obtain and assess relevant documents and evidence; test the design and operating effectiveness of controls; identify root causes, risks and control gaps; and develop practical, risk-based recommendations. Validate observations and factual accuracy with process owners and responsible management before finalization. Prepare clear, concise and evidence-based draft and final internal audit reports, obtain management responses and agreed action plans, and communicate significant matters to senior management and the Board/Audit Committee as appropriate. Conduct closing meetings with process owners and management and follow up on agreed corrective actions until appropriately resolved or formally accepted. Undertake advisory assignments where requested and appropriate, without assuming management responsibility or impairing Internal Audit independence. 3. Governance, Risk, Control and Donor Assurance Assess the adequacy and effectiveness of ADPCs governance, enterprise risk management and internal control arrangements. Assess compliance with ADPC policies and procedures, contractual obligations, donor requirements, applicable laws and regulations, and relevant governance standards. Review fiduciary risk areas relevant to an international and donor-funded organization, including financial management, procurement, grants and sub-grants, project management, third-party management, fraud risk, safeguarding, information technology, cybersecurity, and data governance. Evaluate whether resources and assets are acquired economically, used efficiently and sustainably, and adequately safeguarded. Identify significant or emerging risk exposures, control weaknesses, fraud risks, governance issues, and other matters requiring Board or management attention. 4. Quality Assurance and Improvement Develop, implement and maintain a Quality Assurance and Improvement Program (QAIP) covering all aspects of the Internal Audit function. Conduct ongoing monitoring and periodic internal self-assessments of conformance with the Global Internal Audit Standards and the achievement of Internal Audit performance objectives. Establish appropriate performance measures and stakeholder feedback mechanisms for the Internal Audit function. Report the results of internal quality assessments and improvement actions to the Board/Audit Committee and Executive Committee at least annually. Support arrangements for an independent external quality assessment at least once every five years, in accordance with the Global Internal Audit Standards and ADPCs Internal Audit Policy. 5. Reporting and Stakeholder Engagement Provide periodic and annual reporting to the Board/Audit Committee and Executive Committee on the Internal Audit mandate, plan implementation, significant findings, management action status, resource requirements, budget, quality, conformance, and matters affecting independence. Maintain constructive professional relationships with the Board, Executive Director, Executive Committee, management, external auditors, donors, assurance providers, and other relevant stakeholders while preserving Internal Audit independence. Coordinate, where appropriate, with internal and external assurance providers to reduce unnecessary duplication and improve assurance coverage. Expected Outputs / Deliverables: Deliverable 1 Internal Audit Framework and Planning Establishment of the Internal Audit framework and risk-based planning package, including: (i) initial assessment of the Internal Audit function, governance arrangements, assurance coverage and priority institutional risks, including inception/work plan; (ii) comprehensive Internal Audit Universe and documented risk assessment methodology; and (iii) risk-based one-year Internal Audit Plan and rolling three-year strategic Internal Audit Plan for Board/Audit Committee review and approval. Timeline: November 2026 to be completed in time for the relevant BoT meeting Deliverable 2 Implementation Implementation of the approved risk-based Internal Audit Plan, including conduct of planned audit engagements, preparation and maintenance of appropriate working papers, issuance of engagement-level reports, follow-up of recommendations and provision of periodic updates, as required. This phase shall also include development and application of Internal Audit methodology, engagement procedures, working-paper/reporting templates, recommendation follow-up mechanisms, supporting tools, and the Quality Assurance and Improvement Program (QAIP) including a competency development/ training plan for personnel supporting Internal Audit, and implementation of the approved risk-based Internal Audit Plan through individual audit engagements. Timeline: December 2026 December 2027 Deliverable 3 Reporting, Knowledge Transfer and Close-out Establishment/finali Tender Link : https://reliefweb.int/job/4231635/chief-audit-executive-cae-head-internal-audit