Head of Internal Audit & Portfolio Assurance

Responsibilities:
Department setup:

• Design the audit charter, operating model, annual audit plan and reporting calendar.
• Define the department's structure, headcount and skills needs, and take part in hiring the team.
• Select and implement audit tools, working paper standards and reporting templates.

 
Assurance and review:

• Review periodic management accounts, annual financial statements and investor reports submitted by portfolio companies.
• Carry out risk-based audits and spot checks on revenue, cash, procurement, payroll, related-party dealings and use of Pivot's funds.
• Verify compliance with investment agreements, covenants, budgets and agreed KPIs.
• Assess the quality of external auditors' work and management letters at each company.

 
Risk, control and compliance:

• Evaluate internal control environments and recommend improvements.
• Check compliance with applicable Nigerian tax, regulatory and statutory requirements.
• Investigate irregularities and red flags, and lead special reviews where required.

 
Reporting and governance:

• Report findings, risk ratings and recommendations to executive management and the Audit Committee or Board.
• Track remediation of findings to closure.
• Support the investment team with financial review input for due diligence, valuation and exit.

 
Requirements:

• Degree in Accounting, Finance or a related field.
• Professional qualification: ICAN, ACCA, ACA (or equivalent). CIA, CFE or CISA is an advantage.
• 8-10 years' post-qualification experience, including at least 5 years in a leadership role in audit
• Strong working knowledge of IFRS, ISA and Nigerian regulatory requirements (FRC, CAMA, tax).
• Proven experience building or restructuring an audit or assurance function.
• Experience auditing or reviewing multiple entities across more than one sector.

 
Desirable:

• Exposure to energy, media, waste management, technology or other SME and mid-market sectors.
• Experience with investor reporting, covenant monitoring or portfolio monitoring.
• Familiarity with data analytics and continuous auditing tools.

 
Key Competencies:

• Independence, integrity and sound judgement under pressure.
• Ability to challenge founders and senior management firmly and diplomatically.
• Clear, concise report writing and presentation to board level.
• Strong leadership, coaching and team-building skills.
• Commercial mindset: balances rigour with practicality for growing businesses.
• Willingness to travel to portfolio sites.

 
Performance Expectations:

• Within the first 12 months, the successful candidate is expected to:
• Develop and obtain approval for the Internal Audit Charter and annual risk-based audit plan.
• Establish an operational Internal Audit Department with appropriate staffing and methodologies.
• Complete risk-prioritized reviews of the relevant portfolio companies and communicate significant findings.
• Introduce standardized financial assurance and audit reporting processes.
• Establish a remediation tracking system with clear ownership and agreed closure timelines.
• Provide management and the Board Audit Committee with timely, actionable insights into significant risks and control weaknesses.

 
Remuneration: NGN 1,500,000 – 2,000,000 monthly