Quality & Continuous Improvement Specialist

About the Role
The Quality & Continuous Improvement Specialist supports the Manager Quality & Continuous Improvement in strengthening Internal Audit (IA) practices, driving efficiency and turning improvement ideas into lasting impact across people, processes and technology. The role identifies opportunities to simplify ways of working, reduce manual effort and deliver measurable improvements, taking ownership of initiatives from concept through implementation, adoption and completion. It promotes consistent and responsible use of Artificial Intelligence (AI), data analytics, automation and standardised ways of working across IA. The role also supports the Quality Assurance and Improvement Programme (QAIP), maintains alignment with the Global Internal Audit Standards (GIAS), and contributes to management and committee reporting.

Your duties would include:

• Identify, assess and prioritise opportunities to improve IA processes, tools and ways of working across people, process and technology.
• Develop practical improvement proposals, define expected outcomes and take ownership of agreed initiatives from concept through implementation, adoption and completion.
• Promote consistent and responsible use of AI, data analytics and automation across IA, including identifying use cases, developing standard approaches and supporting adoption by audit teams.
• Drive standardisation across IA by simplifying and aligning methodologies, templates, guidance, workflows and working practices.
• Benchmark IA practices against relevant professional, industry and organisational practices, translating useful insights into implementable improvements.
• Prepare clear project plans for improvement initiatives, monitor delivery, manage dependencies and risks, and report progress, outcomes and barriers to the Manager Quality & Continuous Improvement.
• Assess whether implemented changes are embedded and delivering the intended benefits, and recommend further action where outcomes are not achieved.
• Analyse IA performance, quality results and stakeholder feedback to identify trends, recurring issues and improvement opportunities.
• Support the development, maintenance and consistent application of the IA Manual and related methodology, ensuring alignment with GIAS and departmental requirements.
• Support the QAIP, including ongoing monitoring, periodic internal assessments, the annual internal quality assessment and follow-up of agreed improvement actions.
• Support periodic external quality assessments and quality reviews conducted by the State Audit Bureau (SAB), including evidence coordination and action tracking.
• Monitor relevant Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), identify gaps and trends, and provide concise reporting to the Manager Quality & Continuous Improvement.
• Prepare concise presentations and reports for the Senior Vice President Internal Audit (SVP IA), the Board Audit, Risk and Compliance Committee (BARC), the Group Executive Management and other stakeholders, as required.
• Support the development and maintenance of the IA competency framework and coordinate assessments with Internal Audit Managers.
• Develop and deliver induction, guidance and training on IA methodology, quality requirements, standardised practices and improvement initiatives.
• Support administration and continuous improvement of the audit management system, including coordination with internal stakeholders and external suppliers where required.
• Liaise with business focal points and audit teams to follow up on agreed actions arising from previous audit reports, obtain progress updates and supporting evidence, coordinate due date extension requests in line with established approval requirements, and escalate overdue actions or delays as appropriate.
• Contribute to annual audit planning and budget preparation where requested.
• Manage assigned priorities effectively and deliver quality and continuous improvement initiatives within agreed timelines.

Qualification
We are looking for a proactive and delivery-focused professional who combines internal audit knowledge with strong continuous improvement, problem-solving and implementation skills. The ideal candidate should be curious, practical and able to turn ideas into sustainable improvements.

Essential

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Accounting, Finance, Auditing, Business, Technology, Data Analytics, Process Improvement or a related field, with a minimum of four years of job-related experience.
• Relevant experience in internal audit, assurance, risk, consulting, transformation, process improvement or a comparable environment.
• Demonstrated experience identifying improvement opportunities and delivering initiatives through implementation to measurable or observable outcomes.
• Practical understanding of internal audit methodology, quality assurance and the Global Internal Audit Standards.
• Ability to analyse complex processes, identify root causes and translate findings into practical solutions.
• Experience using technology, AI, automation or data analytics to improve efficiency, consistency or decision-making.
• Strong project delivery, organisation and prioritisation skills, with the ability to manage multiple initiatives.
• Strong stakeholder engagement skills and the confidence to challenge constructively, influence adoption and communicate with senior management.
• Clear written and spoken English, with strong presentation and listening skills.
• Strong business acumen, curiosity and a continuous improvement mindset.

Preferred

• A relevant professional qualification, such as Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Associate Chartered Accountant (ACA), Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) or an equivalent qualification.
• A recognised continuous improvement, change or project management qualification, such as Lean Six Sigma, Prosci, PRINCE2 or Project Management Professional (PMP).
• Experience supporting internal or external quality assessments under GIAS.
• Experience developing or implementing standardised methodologies, templates, guidance or operating practices.
• Proficiency in using Optro/AuditBoard, including managing audit workflows, tracking actions and producing reports, with experience supporting system administration and improvements.
• Hands-on experience with Microsoft 365 tools, process automation, data visualisation or generative AI solutions.
• Experience gained in a reputable consulting or professional services firm.