Business Unit Leader - Information Systems Audit

SUMMARY:
The purpose of this position is to lead and direct the operations of the Information Systems Audit (ISA) Business Unit.

POSITION INFO:

The role is responsible for ensuring the strategic alignment, operational coordination and execution of Information Systems Audit Operations at the company. The role provides specialised information systems audit support to all audit business units to enhance the reliability of public sector financial and performance information. It also oversees the planning, implementation, and evaluation of ISA’s strategic objectives to achieve the intended organisational impact.

KEY PERFORMANCE AREAS (KPA’s)

Strategic Function

• Contribute to the formulation and drive the implementation of the company’s long-term strategy
• Lead the development and implementation of ISA’s strategic initiatives to ensure long-term institutional relevance and impact
• Design and position ISA’s strategic capability to establish the company as a recognised leader in digital audit excellence, ensuring IT assurance is fully integrated across the audit value chain
• Lead the integration of regularity audit processes and direct ISA’s contribution to enhancing the company’s overall audit influence
• Develop BU Balance Score Card (BSC) and oversee the implementation and reporting thereof

Product Management

• Provide strategic advisory and assurance services of IT general controls, ERP systems, cybersecurity, and the integrity of digital public sector platforms
• Oversee the execution and continuous enhancement of Information Systems Audit operations
• Ensure financial and performance audits are underpinned by sound digital foundations and robust IT assurance practices
• Provide technical support and guidance to audit teams related to information systems auditing, advancing best practices, implementing strategic initiatives, and enhancing risk management
• Oversee the effective use of information systems audit techniques and data analytics to proactively identify risks and systemic vulnerabilities across public sector entities
• Integrate information systems audit insights into the overall regularity audit approach to strengthen institutional audit outcomes
• Ensure that all information systems risks are accurately documented, monitored and escalated to executive level
• Escalate emerging IT risks, system vulnerabilities, ERP dependencies, and sector-specific technology concerns across the audit landscape
• Provide strategic oversight for complex and high-risk ISA engagements to ensure execution quality and institutional risk mitigation
• Support MIU and Investigations with digital evidence, data analysis, and system-related risk assessments
• Ensure comprehensive ISA operational excellence across all capability domains, coordinating institutional delivery systems while ensuring sustainable operational capacity for future ISA requirements
• Review required documentation and take responsibility for presentations at SCOPA, PAC and other Parliamentary committees
• Implement quality assurance strategy in the ISA business unit
• Ensure audit methodologies comply with the company policies and international information systems auditing standards
• Ensure ISA-generated insights strengthen parliamentary engagement and elevate the company’s profile as a thought leader in digital audit oversight

Stakeholder Management

• Engage strategically with auditee leadership, oversight bodies, and political stakeholders to strengthen audit
• Provide value added advice to engagement teams by providing timely coaching and high-quality review observations for the enhancement of integration work
• Engage with quality teams, CWC firms in the review of audit outputs to ensure superior audit outputs
• Build and maintain high-value stakeholder relationships that advance ISA’s strategic contribution and institutional relevance
• Ensure a clear understanding of stakeholder needs and determine Deliver in accordance with the agreed service level agreements (SLAs)
• Position ISA as a thought leader in digital auditing and strengthen the company’s visibility and recognition within the SAI community
• Steer ISA’s participation within the global digital audit ecosystem, enhancing institutional influence and advancing the company’s strategic reputation

People Management

• Approve the appointment of specialist staff and contracting in and out to ensure that information systems audits are adequately staffed and completed within a reasonable time
• Participate and/ or take lead in the business unit transformation/ culture plans
• Provide support to the management team regarding centre management and other people related tasks

Financial Management

• Oversee ISA financial model evolution and coordinate investment in emerging capabilities, ensuring sustainable cost recovery while positioning ISA for long-term financial contribution to the company institutional objectives
• Support the compiling of the centre budget
• Implement and monitor the budget for the allocated project
• Ensure compliance to the company policies and procedures
• Ensure compliance with internal processes and procedures
• Manage supply chain processes within scope of work

Other responsibilities (Applicable to All JD’s)

• Perform and/ or manage other projects, tasks and assignments delegated by the Business Unit Leader not stipulated in the role profile description as and when required

BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES

• Emotional Maturity
• Empowerment
• Diversity and Inclusion
• Integrity
• Authenticity
• Performance Excellence
• Accountability
• Courageous and Ethical Leadership

TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES

• Knowledge of Information Systems Auditing
• Application and Infrastructure Knowledge
• IT Governance & Risk Management
• Data Analytics
• Cybersecurity & Information Security Management
• IT Project and Change Management

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

Minimum requirement

Formal Education

Minimum qualification of postgraduate degree in Information Systems, Auditing, Computer Science, or Informatics. CA (SA) or an ISACA Qualification (CISA, CISM, CRISC, or CGEIT) as an added advantage.

Experience

Minimum 10 years post qualification experience with at least 4 years in a senior management or leadership role. Experience in a Big 4 Audit firms, Management Consulting or the Public Sector within an IT auditing environment is an added advantage.