Internal Controller

What we do

Since 1863, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has worked to preserve human dignity and relieve suffering caused by war and armed violence.

In collaboration with our Red Cross and Red Crescent partners around the world, we do everything we can to deliver life-saving aid, reconnect families and locate missing people – helping those who need it most, regardless of who they are and what side of the front line they are on.

We engage with authorities and armed forces on all sides, often confidentially, pressing for access to detainees to improve their living conditions and urging compliance with international humanitarian law to protect non-combatants, including from digital threats.

Purpose

The Internal Controller is part of the second line function within the Controls Testing and Monitoring (CTM) Unit of the Ethics, Risk, and Compliance Office (ERCO). The role contributes to the establishment and maintenance of a sound control environment across Finance and Administration, Logistics, HR, Information Management, ICT, Security Management (MSR), Risk Management, and other areas as required. Through independent controls, testing, and monitoring, the role supports organizational and operational efficiency, the reliability of financial reporting, and compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and internal requirements.

Accountabilities & functional responsibilities

• Guides, advises on and monitors the internal control system across specific areas of the activities in scope, in order to mitigate identified risks.
• Conducts targeted, risk-based site visits and participates in process walkthroughs to assess the implementation and effectiveness of internal controls and compliance mechanisms. Provides management and compliance units with report results related to risk and compliance, along with recommendations for further improvement, and ensures active follow-up of their implementation.
• Strengthens the ICRC’s lines of defence, in close cooperation with functional and operational desk units, compliance units within all métiers (specialist functions), the Global Compliance Office and the Internal Audit Unit.
• Develops and delivers presentations to increase awareness and understanding of internal control and compliance across the organization.
• May act as an internal control team leader for delegations categorized in tier 3 (analytical budget under CHF 9 million) during field visits, being primarily responsible for organizing the visits (including notifying those concerned) and coordinating tasks among the team to ensure deliverables are completed and issued.

Our values

• At the ICRC, we value impact, collaboration, respect, and compassion. We seek candidates who demonstrate behaviors based on these shared values. For more information on the ICRC values, please visit this page.

Reports to (role)

• Internal Control Compliance Manager

People management responsibilities

No

Scope & impact

• Geographic remit: global.

Relationships

• Internally, interacts with Internal Audit Unit (3rd Line); Second line functions such as Risk and Assurance Units and other specialized functions; First line functions such as Heads of sector (FAD, Human Resources, Logistics, ICT, SCMS Divisions), Operations Coordinators, Heads of Delegation, Programme coodrinators and responsible of files under review in the field.
• Externally, interacts with auditors, operational partners and suppliers.

Certifications / Education required

• University degree in accountancy, any business-related course or equivalent.
• As an asset, certification by an internationally recognized professional accounting body, e.g. Chartered Accountant (CA), Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA), Certified Humanitarian Logistician (CHL) or expert-comptable (chartered accountant).
• Very good computer skills; knowledge of computer-assisted audit tools (CAATs), e.g. CaseWare Interactive Data Extraction and Analysis (IDEA) software, an added advantage.
• Fluent command of written and spoken English; knowledge of French a plus.
• Knowledge of other languages, e.g. Arabic, Spanish or Russian, an additional asset.

Professional experience required

• Typically ten to 12 years’ overall professional experience.
• At least five years’ relevant experience in either compliance or audit (preferably in a combination of leading audit firms and international organizations).
• Field experience an asset.
• Experience in internal or external audit an asset.
• Knowledge of regulatory frameworks and compliance standards, such as the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO), Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), Institut der Wirtschaftsprüfer in Deutschland (Institute of Public Auditors in Germany) (IDW) and Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (SOX) an asset.
• Experience in handling financial reporting issues; familiarity with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) an asset.
• Understanding of application and system access controls.
• Experience working with multiple sectors, such as international organizations, governments, civil society and the private sector, an asset.
• International experience a plus.