Head of Rsik, Audit and Compliance

Our client is a premier inbound destination management company operating across the African continent, with offices in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa. Supported by a dedicated team of travel consultants, the organization delivers personalized services and high-quality travel solutions, including private guided tours, FIT arrangements, group travel experiences, and MICE products.
The company is recognized for building strong business partnerships, supported by robust systems and processes, and for offering expert insights into unique tour and safari destinations at competitive prices. It provides dynamic career opportunities for professionals seeking to contribute meaningfully within a fast-paced and collaborative environment.

Our client seeks a seasoned and strategic Head of Risk, Audit & Compliance to lead and strengthen its enterprise-wide risk, audit, and compliance framework across regional operations.
This critical role provides independent assurance to Management on governance effectiveness, internal controls, regulatory compliance, and risk mitigation across all jurisdictions. The position is instrumental in safeguarding the organization against financial, operational, legal, and reputational risks while embedding a strong compliance culture.

Key Responsibilities

Lead the development and implementation of a comprehensive risk management framework, focused on assessing and mitigating strategic, operational, financial, legal, and reputational risks, while enhancing internal controls and governance processes.

Evaluate and report on the effectiveness of internal controls, governance systems, and data integrity processes.

Ensure comprehensive adherence to all relevant laws and industry standards in SOA East Africa by developing and maintaining compliance policies, monitoring regulatory changes, and fostering constructive engagement with stakeholders throughout audit and compliance processes.

Oversee regional tax compliance by collaborating with Finance and departmental heads to ensure accurate and timely filings and reporting of corporate tax, VAT, payroll taxes, and statutory obligations, while aligning tax strategies with regulatory requirements across all jurisdictions.

Conduct thorough risk-based internal audits across various functions, ensuring verification and analysis of transactions and management reports for compliance and efficacy, while preparing detailed reports and tracking the implementation of management action plans based on audit recommendations.

Oversee all internal audits, regulatory inspections, and compliance reviews while developing risk-aligned audit programs, communicating findings and control weaknesses to department heads, and conducting special audits as directed by management.

Lead and manage the internal audit, compliance, and risk functions by reviewing and approving audit plans and reports for professional standards, while overseeing compliance and risk focal points across Finance, HR & Administration, IT, Procurement, and Operations to ensure consistent controls, timely risk escalation, and coordinated audit remediation.

Minimum Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Management, or a related discipline from a recognized university
Master’s Degree in a relevant field (e.g., Finance, Risk Management, Business Administration, or related discipline) will be an added advantage
CPA (K) or ACCA (Finalist or Fully Qualified) or equivalent professional qualification
Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) certification
Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) certification
Minimum of 10 years’ relevant experience in audit, risk, or compliance management within a regulated, multinational, or complex operating environment