Head - Quality Assurance

Role : Head - Quality Assurance
Location : Abu Dhabi

Role Purpose:

Assist the Group Head - ISAG in Shari’a audit excellence and governance Oversight function according to the best practices to ensure continuity of compliance and conformity level with Shari’a rules & regulations based on IIA standards.
Key Accountabilities of the role

Assurance & Governance Oversight:

Internal Shari’a audit serves as the third line of defense, providing independent assurance on the effectiveness of Shari’a governance, Shari’a Non-Compliance Risk management, and internal Shari’a controls.

In Shari’a-compliant institutions, this includes ensuring adherence to Higher Shari’a Authority (HSA), AAOIFI standards and resolutions from the Internal Shari’a Supervisory Committee (ISSC).

Risk-Based Audit Planning

Excellence in internal Shari’a audit is reflected in risk-based planning, based on Shari'a Audit Universe.

Enhancing Shari’a Compliance

Internal Shari’a audit excellence ensures that all operations conform to Islamic principles. This includes:

Reviewing Fatwas and resolutions.

Monitoring implementation of Shari’a controls.

Following up on exceptions and compliance gaps.

Quality Assurance & Continuous Improvement

The Group Head-ISA JD outlines responsibilities for maintaining audit quality, reporting to the Board Audit Committee, and aligning with international standards.

Tools like MIS reports and GRC systems are used to track Shari’a exceptions and audit performance.

Annual Shari’a Audit Plan

• On an annual basis, update the elements of risk rating scorings for each Shari’a Auditable entity as reflected in Shari’a Audit Manual. Coordinate with the concerned business units to obtain any additional/missing information (i.e. finance figures, deposit figures…).

• Amend/revise the scope of work for each B U.

• Arrive to the overall Shari’a Risk rating for each B U subject to Shari’a Audit.

• Select the units to be audited next year.

• Perform skill analysis on all Shari’a Audit staff to ensure that Shari’a Audit function possess the right resources for the planned assignments (i.e. Measuring staff competency).

• Allocate man-days for the units to be audited for the year according to the planned man-days tab shown in the Shari’a Audit Universe excel sheet.

• Assist in obtaining ISSC approval on the year’s Shari’a Audit plan in consultation with BAC through ISAG Head.

• Assist in presenting and share the Shari’a Audit plan for the year, risk rating and scope of work to the Board Audit Committee also with the concerned Groups Heads through ISAG Head.

ISAG Dashboards & Activity Reports

• Preparation ISAG-Dashboards (Bi-annually)

• Assistance in preparing Quarterly ISAG Activity Reports

• Assistance in preparing Quarterly ISSC Activity Reports

Improvement of ISA Quality Assurance Program

• Conduct periodic Quality review on all ISA related documents (Shari’a Audit Universe, Shari’a Internal Audit Charter, Shari’a Internal Audit Manual, Risk Ratings, JDs, etc.)

• Perform Quality Assurance Review on the All Planning Documents (Authority Letter, APM, Audit Program, Product Risk Rating, Resource Allocation, Sample Selection etc.)

• Perform Quality Assurance Review on the all the Consolidated Exceptions Sheet (Reviewing drafting of Exceptions, Assigning Risk Rating, Recommendation and Action Plan etc.)

• Perform Quality Assurance Review on all the Detailed Report and Executive Summary

• Coordinate with Group Internal Audit (GIA) to Share Report of Internal Shari'a Audit Group and to discuss and align the Audit Approach

• Coordinate with Group Compliance to ensure that CB-UAE requirements are provided on timely basis

• Expedite the process of compliance and closure of any pending CBUAE issue/findings on ISAG

• Supervise the Proper functioning of the i-Shari'a Audit System

• Supervise the proper Implementation and Operations of Business Continuity Planning (BCP)

Other Tasks

• Internal meetings (ISAG Staff Monthly Meeting with Group Head)

• Internal meetings (ISAG Staff Weekly Meeting with Group Head)

• Adhoc presentations / Tasks required from Group Head

• Trainings attended

• Goal setting

• Mid-year review

• Annual Performance Appraisal

Specialist Skills / Technical Knowledge Required for this role:

• Chartered Accountant / Bachelors From a reputable Institute / University

• Profession Experience (External / Internal / Shari’a Audit) of Big 4 Audit Firm and/or Islamic Banking Industry

• Certifications in Internal Audit, Shari’a Audit like CIA (IIA), CSAA (AAOIFI-Bahrain)

• English language & Arabic

• IT related (MS Excel, Word, Power Point) Skills

Previous experience:

7-10 Years’ experience in Audit Profession.