ExeKutive Internal Audit and Risk Director M/F - Rabat

Company :

Born from the desire to meet the economic, political, and social challenges of Morocco and Africa, the International University of Rabat (UIR) is the first public university with private management under contract with the Moroccan State. Founded in 2010, it quickly became a model of innovative establishment in its early years, conforming to the best international standards in higher education and research.

With over 8,500 students and continuing education participants, UIR offers a multidisciplinary educational program covering Engineering, Architecture, Health Sciences, Human and Social Sciences, Management, etc. In terms of continuing education, UIR supports public and private institutions in strengthening their teams' capacities with diverse programs of Executive Masters, Bachelor's degrees, and certificates covering sectorial strategies driven by Morocco.

Research and innovation are also a major focus of the University's strategy, reflected in academic publications, applied research, and an active R&D policy with nearly 540 patents filed, 100 of which are international. This ranks it as the 1st university in Morocco and Africa in terms of patent filings (source OMPIC).

Young, dynamic, and civic-minded, our university, benefiting from growing attractiveness and recognized innovation capacity, is launching an ambitious development program today to reach 41,000 students by 2040.

Discover the testimony of Widad Laoufir, Human Capital Director at UIR in Challenge Maroc magazine by clicking here: https://bit.ly/4cZganL

Company culture :

Université Internationale de Rabat (UIR) operates within a strongly performance-driven and competitive culture, where ambition, academic excellence and institutional reputation are key success drivers. This environment is reinforced by a significant innovation dimension, promoting research, experimentation and the development of high-impact projects. The culture is further supported by a collaborative approach, encouraging team engagement, knowledge sharing and close leadership. To a lesser extent, structured processes help ensure operational efficiency and reliability across academic and administrative activities.

Job :

The Director of Internal Audit and Risks plays a key role in evaluating the balance between controls, asset protection, and the efficiency of internal processes. Their scope of action covers UIR.SA (UIR) and Foncière UIR.SA (FUIR) companies. As such, they are responsible for defining, managing, and overseeing the internal audit and risk management strategy to secure the organization's activities, improve overall performance, and ensure regulatory compliance.

Main Missions:
1. Risk Management

• Define and update the risk map related to the University's activity by assessing their probability and impact if they occur;
• Work in close collaboration, and under the responsibility of the Presidency, with the "Risk" departments of partners and/or shareholders;
• Support the University's strategy by developing a systematic approach to evaluate and improve the effectiveness of control and governance processes;
• Understand and identify financial, operational, and compliance risks affecting the design and execution of processes
• Ensure the follow-up of assessed risks of medium or high criticality, and ensure the implementation of specific measures to address them.

2. Governance

• Ensure the secretariat of the audit committees of UIR and FUIR;
• Define and implement the internal audit charter of UIR and FUIR;
• Monitor the recommendations of the Audit Committee and present their progress;
• Transmit the results of Audit missions to the Presidency and ensure the follow-up of the Presidency's recommendations and directives;
• Communicate, upon request, the results of conducted missions to the Audit Committee.

3. Internal Audit Process

• Ensure the independence and impartiality of the Audit Department and conduct evaluation activities within its scope independently;
• Design and implement the structure and management tools for the Audit Department;
• Ensure compliance with internal audit methodologies and standards;
• Develop dashboards and activity tracking for all stakeholders concerned (Presidency, Board of Directors, Shareholders...).

4. Audit Missions

• Develop a three-year audit plan based on the methodology for identifying and assessing risks;
• Implement the annual audit plan, after approval by the Presidency, including missions or projects upon specific request from the Presidency;
• Conduct internal audit missions and coordinate those involving external auditors;
• Propose recommendations for improving audited processes and ensure the follow-up of approved action plans;
• Coordinate the interventions of external auditors and facilitate their information gathering from operational staff;
• Work in close collaboration with the Audit Departments of partners and/or shareholders, and ensure the implementation of their recommendations.

5. Management and Leadership

• Supervise and develop audit and risk teams;
• Define methods, tools, and performance indicators;
• Promote a culture of internal control and risk within the organization.

Required profile :

Profile Sought:

• Education Level: Master's degree (Bac + 5) in Audit, Finance, Management Control, or equivalent.
• Professional Experience: 10 years of experience in a similar role, with at least five years as a Director
• Behavioral Skills: Listening skills, rigor, discretion, analytical thinking, synthesis, critical thinking, good communication skills, writing skills.

Technical Skills:

• Mastery of audit standards (IIA, COSO, ISO 31000...);
• Solid financial and regulatory knowledge;
• Good understanding of information systems;
• Excellent analytical and synthesis skills.

Head office address :

Desired personality traits :

Respect of the rules Emotional distance Rationalism Ambition Need for objectivity Involvement at work Organization