Head - Quality Assurance

Role Overview

Head - Quality Assurance at ADIB, Abu Dhabi.

Role Purpose

Assist the Group Head - ISAG in Shari'a audit excellence and governance oversight according to best practices to ensure continuity of compliance and conformity with Shari'a rules and regulations based on IIA standards.

Key Responsibilities

Assurance & Governance Oversight

• Provide independent assurance on the effectiveness of Shari'a governance, Shari'a Non-Compliance Risk management, and internal Shari'a controls as the third line of defense.
• Ensure adherence to Higher Shari'a Authority (HSA) requirements, AAOIFI standards, and resolutions from the Internal Shari'a Supervisory Committee (ISSC).

Risk-Based Audit Planning

• Develop risk-based planning reflected in the Shari'a Audit Universe.
• Update risk rating scorings annually for each Shari'a auditable entity as outlined in the Shari'a Audit Manual.
• Coordinate with concerned business units to obtain additional and missing information such as finance figures and deposit figures.
• Amend and revise the scope of work for each business unit.
• Determine the overall Shari'a Risk rating for each business unit subject to Shari'a Audit.
• Select units to be audited in the following year.
• Perform skill analysis on all Shari'a Audit staff to ensure the function possesses appropriate resources for planned assignments.
• Measure staff competency.
• Allocate man-days for audited units according to the planned man-days tab in the Shari'a Audit Universe spreadsheet.
• Assist in obtaining ISSC approval of the annual Shari'a Audit plan in consultation with the Board Audit Committee through the ISAG Head.
• Present the annual Shari'a Audit plan, risk rating, and scope of work to the Board Audit Committee and concerned Group Heads through the ISAG Head.

Shari'a Compliance Enhancement

• Review Fatwas and resolutions.
• Monitor implementation of Shari'a controls.
• Follow up on exceptions and compliance gaps.

Quality Assurance & Continuous Improvement

• Conduct periodic quality reviews on all ISA-related documents including the Shari'a Audit Universe, Shari'a Internal Audit Charter, Shari'a Internal Audit Manual, Risk Ratings, and job descriptions.
• Perform Quality Assurance Review on all planning documents including Authority Letter, APM, Audit Program, Product Risk Rating, Resource Allocation, and Sample Selection.
• Perform Quality Assurance Review on all Consolidated Exceptions Sheets, including review of exception drafting, risk rating assignment, recommendations, and action plans.
• Perform Quality Assurance Review on all Detailed Reports and Executive Summaries.
• Maintain audit quality and report to the Board Audit Committee.
• Align with international standards.
• Track Shari'a exceptions and audit performance using MIS reports and GRC systems.

Reporting & Dashboards

• Prepare ISAG Dashboards on a bi-annual basis.
• Assist in preparing Quarterly ISAG Activity Reports.
• Assist in preparing Quarterly ISSC Activity Reports.

Stakeholder Coordination

• Coordinate with Group Internal Audit (GIA) to share reports of Internal Shari'a Audit Group and align audit approach.
• Coordinate with Group Compliance to ensure CB-UAE requirements are provided on a timely basis.
• Expedite the process of compliance and closure of any pending CBUAE issues and findings on ISAG.

Operations & Governance

• Supervise the proper functioning of the i-Shari'a Audit System.
• Supervise the proper implementation and operations of Business Continuity Planning (BCP).
• Facilitate internal ISAG Staff Weekly Meetings with Group Head.
• Facilitate internal ISAG Staff Monthly Meetings with Group Head.
• Support ad hoc presentations and tasks as required by Group Head.
• Attend trainings.
• Conduct goal setting.
• Conduct mid-year reviews.
• Conduct annual performance appraisals.

Qualifications & Experience

• Chartered Accountant or Bachelor's degree from a reputable institute or university.
• 7–10 years' experience in audit profession.
• Professional experience in External Audit, Internal Audit, or Shari'a Audit with Big 4 Audit Firms and/or Islamic Banking Industry.
• Certifications in Internal Audit and Shari'a Audit such as CIA (IIA) or CSAA (AAOIFI-Bahrain).

Skills & Competencies

• English language proficiency.
• Arabic language proficiency.
• Microsoft Excel.
• Microsoft Word.
• Microsoft PowerPoint.