Essential Job Details

• Position Title: Chief Internal Auditor
• Location: Nairobi, Kenya
• Employment Type: Full-Time, Permanent
• Number of Vacancies: One (1)
• Salary: Competitive and commensurate with experience
• Category/Department: Internal Audit / Risk / Insurance
• Reporting To: Board Audit Committee
• Application Deadline: Monday, 26th May 2025 at 5:00 PM

Introduction

Are you an accomplished audit professional with over a decade of experience in enterprise risk, governance, and compliance? Are you ready to take charge of an internal audit function in one of Kenya’s most respected insurance brands? If so, this is the defining opportunity you’ve been looking for — a Chief Internal Auditor in Kenya position at Directline Assurance.

This high-profile leadership role offers the chance to shape the internal audit function in a growing, regulated financial services environment. Reporting directly to the Board Audit Committee, the successful candidate will drive strategic initiatives that protect shareholder value, enhance compliance, and strengthen governance frameworks. If you possess a strong foundation in audit, finance, and risk — and thrive on leading investigations, reporting to regulators, and steering audit teams — then this is your moment.

Join Directline Assurance and influence how the company prepares for the future of audit, regulation, and data-driven risk management.

About Directline Assurance

Directline Assurance is Kenya’s premier motor insurance specialist with a strong footprint across the country. Known for its commitment to customer-centric policies, digital innovation, and efficient claims processing, Directline has become a household name in the insurance sector. With a mission to deliver reliable and prompt insurance solutions, the company has established systems that demand the highest levels of internal accountability and transparency.

To safeguard these systems and reinforce governance, Directline is seeking an experienced Chief Internal Auditor in Kenya who will lead its internal audit function with independence, objectivity, and strategic insight.

Key Responsibilities of the Chief Internal Auditor in Kenya

As the Chief Internal Auditor in Kenya, you will oversee all facets of the internal audit function including risk identification, fraud investigations, regulatory compliance, and strategic advisory to the Board. Your core responsibilities include:

• Develop and execute a risk-based annual audit plan approved by the Board Audit Committee.
• Report audit findings, risk exposures, and recommendations directly to the Board Audit Committee and senior management.
• Work closely with external auditors and regulators such as the Insurance Regulatory Authority (IRA), Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), and relevant compliance bodies.
• Lead special investigations involving suspected fraud, misconduct, operational lapses, or regulatory breaches.
• Continuously enhance internal audit methodologies, policies, and tools to ensure relevance in a fast-changing business environment.
• Coordinate with Risk & Compliance, Legal, and Finance functions to conduct periodic risk assessments and recommend controls to mitigate exposure.
• Evaluate and improve the effectiveness of internal controls, risk management, and governance processes in line with both local and international best practices.
• Prepare and deliver audit reports, dashboards, and presentations to board-level and executive-level stakeholders.
• Train and mentor audit staff, encouraging professional certification, ethical audit standards, and analytical rigor.
• Monitor industry audit trends, updating audit practices to reflect global changes in insurance regulation and risk models.

Qualifications Required for the Chief Internal Auditor in Kenya

To be considered for this Chief Internal Auditor in Kenya role, candidates must meet the following academic and professional qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Auditing, or a related discipline from an institution recognized by the Commission for Higher Education (CHE).
• Master’s degree in a relevant field, preferably an MBA, is an added advantage.
• Professional certifications:
  • ACCA or CISA (Certified Information Systems Auditor) – required
  • Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) – strongly preferred
• Must be a registered member of ICPAK and/or IIA
• Strong understanding of Kenyan financial regulations and the role of internal audit in insurance
• Training in fraud investigation and forensic audit is an added advantage

Professional Experience Requirements

To qualify for the Chief Internal Auditor in Kenya position, candidates must demonstrate the following experience:

• At least 10 years of progressive internal audit experience, with a minimum of 5 years in a senior leadership or head-of-department role.
• Proven experience in insurance or financial services, specifically in motor insurance, is highly desirable.
• Demonstrated experience in risk-based auditing, including planning, execution, and reporting of enterprise risk assessments.
• Experience with IRA audits, including regulatory compliance reviews, control testing, and responses to enforcement findings.
• Familiarity with modern internal audit frameworks, internal controls maturity assessments, and key risk indicators.
• Experience in Financial Management Systems, especially in systems integration, reconciliations, and controls testing.
• Proficiency in ERP platforms and audit software tools — such as ACL, TeamMate, IDEA, CaseWare, or similar.

Desired Skills and Competencies

In addition to technical expertise, the successful Chief Internal Auditor in Kenya should possess:

• High ethical standards, with unwavering objectivity and independence in judgment
• Exceptional analytical and strategic thinking abilities
• Excellent report writing and board-level presentation skills
• Strong leadership skills, capable of building, managing, and mentoring a high-performance audit team
• Stakeholder engagement acumen, particularly with regulators, C-suite executives, and the board
• Strong decision-making and problem-solving skills, especially in crisis or high-pressure scenarios
• Up-to-date knowledge of IFRS, ISO standards, and emerging technologies impacting the insurance sector

Why Join Directline as Chief Internal Auditor in Kenya

This is a defining career move for any senior audit executive looking to make a lasting impact in Kenya’s financial services landscape. At Directline, you’ll enjoy:

• A seat at the leadership table, reporting directly to the Board Audit Committee
• Autonomy to shape audit strategy, tools, and practices for the future
• Access to industry-leading tools, systems, and board engagement channels
• An opportunity to lead governance transformation in one of the most regulated and high-stakes sectors — insurance
• A rewarding package, inclusive of a competitive salary and long-term growth potential within the company

How to Apply for the Chief Internal Auditor in Kenya Role

Apply now for the Chief Internal Auditor in Kenya position.

To apply, send your updated CV and cover letter to the address below:

📧 human.resource@directline.co.ke

Subject Line: Application – Chief Internal Auditor

Deadline for submission: Monday, 26th May 2025 at 5:00 PM EAT

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Early applications are encouraged.

For more information, visit:
🌐 https://www.directline.co.ke/the-company/careers

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