Internal Audit Assistant
Echo Network Africa
Quick Take
Conduct internal audits of ENA's financial records, internal controls, and compliance systems, documenting findings and supporting the audit team in strengthening organizational governance.
Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Finance, 3+ years of audit or compliance experience, and proficiency in internal control frameworks like COSO.
Join a women-led development NGO with meaningful social impact, competitive mid-range salary, and solid foundation for a career in development sector audit.
Job Description
Echo Network Africa (ENA), formerly Kenya Women Holding, is a women-led development institution dedicated to empowering women — particularly young women, women with disabilities, and those from marginalized communities. As part of its commitment to strong governance and financial integrity, ENA is seeking a disciplined and analytical Internal Audit Assistant to support and strengthen its internal audit function.
Reporting to the Internal Audit team, you will play a pivotal role in evaluating the adequacy of ENA's risk management frameworks, internal control systems, and governance processes. This is an opportunity to contribute meaningfully to an organization whose work creates real impact across Kenya, while building a solid career in internal audit within the NGO and development sector.
- Examine and evaluate the adequacy and effectiveness of ENA's internal control systems, providing actionable recommendations for improvement and monitoring their implementation.
- Review the application and effectiveness of the risk management process, including the risk management policy and the adequacy of responses to liquidity, reputational, and operational risks.
- Evaluate the accuracy and reliability of accounting records, financial statements, and operational reports.
- Assess information security controls and associated risk exposures across the organization.
- Evaluate the effectiveness, efficiency, and economy of institutional operations.
- Review systems established to ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, codes of conduct, and organizational policies.
- Provide investigative and advisory services to operations and business line management in line with the audit charter.
- Identify transactions or operational activities that could adversely affect the organization's well-being or expose it to financial irregularities or illegal acts.
- Conduct audit fieldwork under supervision, including reviewing financial records, operational processes, and compliance documentation.
- Perform tests of controls and substantive tests in accordance with the approved audit program.
- Gather, analyze, and document data and evidence to support audit findings and recommendations.
- Conduct structured interviews with staff and management to understand processes, identify gaps, and validate findings.
- Prepare clear and concise working papers and draft audit reports for review by senior audit staff.
- Assess organizational compliance with applicable rules and regulations and communicate findings to management promptly.
- Hold a Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field.
- Demonstrate at least 3 years of hands-on experience in internal audit, external audit, or a closely related compliance or finance role.
- Apply knowledge of internal control frameworks (e.g., COSO) to evaluate organizational risks and control environments.
- Interpret financial records and reports to detect anomalies, irregularities, or areas of non-compliance.
- Use audit software and standard tools (e.g., Excel, audit management systems) to gather and analyze data effectively.
- Communicate audit findings clearly — both in writing (reports, working papers) and verbally (interviews, presentations to management).
- Work systematically and independently on assigned audit tasks while escalating issues appropriately under supervision.
- Demonstrate understanding of relevant legal and regulatory requirements applicable to NGOs and development institutions in Kenya.
- Possession of or progress toward a professional certification such as CPA, CIA, or ACCA is an added advantage.
ENA offers a competitive compensation package commensurate with qualifications and experience. The estimated monthly salary for this role ranges from KES 60,000 to KES 100,000, benchmarked against NGO sector standards for audit professionals at this level. Specific remuneration will be confirmed during the recruitment process.
- Opportunity to work within a mission-driven, women-led organization
- Professional development and capacity-building support
- Collaborative and inclusive work environment
This role is ideal for a detail-oriented finance or audit professional who is passionate about governance, compliance, and organizational accountability within the development sector. You thrive in structured environments, enjoy problem-solving through data, and are committed to promoting financial integrity in institutions that serve vulnerable communities.
You should NOT apply if you have no prior audit or accounting experience, are uncomfortable with fieldwork and evidence-based reporting, or are looking for a fully independent senior role — this position operates under supervision and is suited to a junior-to-mid-level professional building their audit career.
- Prepare an updated CV and a cover letter clearly highlighting your audit experience and motivation to join Echo Network Africa.
- Submit your application through the Echo Network Africa careers portal or the job platform where this role was advertised.
- Ensure your application is received before the closing date of 22nd June 2026.
- Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Do not pay any fee at any stage of the recruitment process.
Requirements Breakdown
Must Have
- Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field
- Minimum 3 years of hands-on internal audit, external audit, or compliance experience
- Knowledge of internal control frameworks (e.g., COSO)
- Ability to interpret financial records and identify irregularities
- Strong written and verbal communication skills for report drafting and stakeholder engagement
Nice to Have
- Professional audit certification (CIA, ACCA, or CPA)
- Prior experience auditing NGOs or development sector organizations
- Familiarity with risk assessment methodologies
- Experience with audit management software or data analysis tools
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Salary Context
Competitive mid-range salary for Internal Audit Assistant in Nairobi NGO sector
The KES 60,000–100,000/mo range reflects typical Internal Audit Assistant compensation in Kenya's development and NGO space. Pay varies based on audit experience depth, certifications, and the organization's size; NGO auditors generally earn 10–15% less than corporate counterparts but often gain broader experience and mission-driven work.
About Echo Network Africa
Echo Network Africa (formerly Kenya Women Holding) is a women-led development institution focused on empowering young women, women with disabilities, and marginalized communities across Kenya. As a governance-focused organization, ENA prioritizes financial integrity and strong internal controls, making it a credible employer in the development sector. Working here offers exposure to development finance, gender equity impact, and the chance to build audit expertise within an organization committed to transparency and institutional strength.
Likely Interview Questions
- 1
Walk us through a specific internal audit you conducted or supported: what control weakness did you identify, and how did you present your findings to management?
- 2
How would you approach evaluating the internal controls of a small NGO with limited finance staff and resources?
- 3
Describe your experience with risk assessment. How have you prioritized audit areas based on organizational risk?
- 4
What audit documentation and working paper practices do you follow, and why is consistency important in an audit function?
- 5
Tell us about a time you identified a potential compliance breach or financial irregularity. How did you investigate and report it?
Application Tips
Highlight specific audit projects where you evaluated control systems or identified process improvements — use concrete examples (e.g., 'designed and executed 12-point testing program on accounts payable controls, resulting in 3 actionable recommendations').
Emphasize any prior experience in the NGO, development, or non-profit sector, or experience auditing organizations with mission-driven mandates; this demonstrates cultural fit with ENA's values.
Demonstrate familiarity with gender equity or development issues in your cover letter or during interview prep — show you understand ENA's mandate to empower women and marginalized communities, signaling genuine interest beyond the job itself.
Career Path
Roles that lead here
Where this leads
Skills & Keywords
Honest Assessment
Green Flags
- Clear, detailed role description with specific audit competencies (COSO, risk assessment, compliance evaluation, information security) signals a mature, structured audit function.
- Women-led organization with transparent social mission (empowering marginalized women) attracts mission-aligned talent and suggests strong organizational values and governance.
- Salary range is openly posted (KES 60,000–100,000/mo) with a realistic band, indicating transparent compensation practices and respect for candidate expectations.
- Emphasis on 'real impact' and 'strong governance' suggests the organization invests in institutional quality—a sign of stability and professional development opportunity.
Watch Out
- Job description cuts off mid-sentence in the 'Required Skills & Experience' section, suggesting the full posting may be incomplete or poorly formatted—clarify all expectations with the recruiter before applying.
- No mention of benefits (health insurance, pension, training budget, professional development support), which are standard expectations in Nairobi NGO roles—request a full benefits package before accepting.
- Reporting structure mentions 'reporting to the Internal Audit team' rather than a specific senior auditor or manager, which could indicate unclear supervision or a transitional audit function.
A Day in the Life
Monday through Friday, you'd divide time between fieldwork (reviewing financial records, interviewing finance and operations staff, testing controls on accounts, procurement, or donor compliance) and office work (drafting working papers, analyzing data, preparing findings memos). A typical week might include a day conducting substantive tests on a high-risk area like donor fund management, a day analyzing internal control questionnaires returned by department heads, a meeting with the Internal Audit Manager to discuss emerging findings, and 1–2 days preparing detailed audit documentation for senior review. You'd interact regularly with ENA's finance team, operations staff, and management to understand processes and validate your observations, using tools like Excel and audit checklists to stay organized and methodical.
Frequently Asked Questions
What qualifications do I need to be an Internal Audit Assistant at Echo Network Africa?
You must hold a Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field and have at least 3 years of hands-on experience in internal audit, external audit, or compliance roles. Knowledge of internal control frameworks like COSO is essential.
Is the Internal Audit Assistant role at Echo Network Africa remote or office-based?
The posting specifies the location as Nairobi and does not mention remote work options, indicating this is an office-based role requiring in-person presence for fieldwork and stakeholder engagement.
How much does an Internal Audit Assistant earn at Echo Network Africa?
The posted salary range is KES 60,000–100,000 per month, with final pay depending on experience, certifications, and qualifications within that band.
What are the career growth opportunities from this Internal Audit Assistant role?
This role is a foundation for advancement to Senior Internal Auditor, Internal Audit Manager, or Audit Manager positions within larger NGOs or development organizations; strong performance and further certifications (CIA, ACCA) can accelerate progression into leadership audit roles.
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