Auditor, Operational Compliance at ECOWAS

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is a regional group of fifteen West African countries. Established on 28 May 1975 through the signing of the Treaty of Lagos, ECOWAS has a mandate to promote economic integration across the region.

Job Details

• Job Title: Auditor, Operational Compliance
• Organisation: Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)
• Job Code: 20003782
• Location: Abuja
• Job Type: Full-time
• Qualification: BA/BSc/HND, Professional Certificate
• Experience: 5 years
• Job Field: Finance / Accounting / Audit
• Institution: Office of the Auditor General of ECOWAS Institutions
• Grade: P3/P4
• Annual Salary: P3/1 – UA40,696.78 (USD52,648.78)
• Directorate: Programme Performance Audit
• Division: Operational Compliance
• Line Supervisor: Principal Auditor, Operational Compliance

Role Overview

Under the supervision of the Principal Auditor, Operational Compliance, the incumbent will be responsible for comprehensive compliance audit assignments across ECOWAS Institutions, Specialised Agencies, and Offices. The role will cover relevant risks and areas of intervention in line with the OAG Strategic Plan, Audit Charter, and applicable professional auditing standards and guidelines.

The successful candidate will also perform related official assignments, other duties, and special projects as assigned by the OAG leadership.

Key Responsibilities

• Work as part of a team to carry out compliance audit assignments in designated areas in line with the approved OAG Strategic and Annual Work Plan.
• Contribute to the identification and selection of prospective audit areas and topics through environmental scanning, literature reviews, and other approved methods.
• Assist in planning and designing compliance audit assignments by assessing risks and obtaining relevant information.
• Assist in developing and implementing detailed audit programmes.
• Execute assigned tasks in a timely and result-oriented manner using performance auditing standards, risk management, research methodology, project management, and performance reporting techniques.
• Apply appropriate audit procedures to research, gather, and validate audit information and data.
• Identify findings and develop fair, meaningful, and timely recommendations based on appropriate analysis and methodology.
• Collect and document sufficient and appropriate audit evidence to support conclusions and recommendations.
• Draft components of audit reports, using graphics and visual aids where appropriate to communicate findings and data effectively.
• Contribute to objective recommendations on systems and procedures under review and monitor management responses and implementation.
• Maintain proper records of working papers and audit evidence for supervisory and quality assurance reviews.
• Ensure timely completion of assigned audit tasks.
• Contribute to a competent, committed, and professional audit team.
• Maintain confidentiality of information gathered and prevent unauthorised communication of audit findings and conclusions.
• Prepare and maintain a compendium of Directives, Rules, and Regulations applicable to Community Institutions, Specialised Agencies, and Offices.
• Assist in monitoring and reviewing transactions and operations in key business areas, including budgets, procurement, contracts, recruitment, and asset management, to assess compliance with applicable regulations and procedures.
• Assess whether internal control mechanisms are adequate and functioning as intended.
• Analyse operational practices, databases, records, periodic reports, and other documentation to identify deficiencies and areas for improvement.
• Coordinate with stakeholders to develop remediation and mitigation methods and implementation timelines.
• Document risks and mitigating controls through risk-control matrices.
• Regularly evaluate the design and adequacy of controls to ensure key risks are appropriately managed.
• Investigate and report violations of processes, procedures, and regulatory standards across organisational operations, including finance.
• Develop effective action plans in response to compliance violations and other findings.
• Provide input for improving audit procedures and programmes in line with the OAG Charter and applicable auditing standards.
• Maintain continuous knowledge of sector rules, regulations, best practices, tools, techniques, and performance standards.
• Maintain healthy working relationships with managers and staff at all levels.
• Serve on teams, committees, and task forces as assigned.
• Ensure compliance with applicable regulations and texts, including ECOWAS Staff Regulations, the OAG Code of Ethics, Management directives, and laws of the host country.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Supervisor.

Academic Qualifications and Experience

• Minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent from an accredited university in Finance, Accounting, Auditing, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Relevant professional certification in audit, risk management, or information technology, such as Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Chartered Accountant (CA), or Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA), is an added advantage.
• Minimum of five years’ progressively responsible professional experience in audit, finance, accounting, administration, statistics, or a related area.
• At least two years’ recent experience in compliance or internal audit assignments is desirable.
• Hands-on experience with enterprise risk management tools and applications such as SAP Governance, Risk & Compliance (GRC) is an added advantage.
• Experience using audit management software such as TEAM-MATE, ACL, IDEA, or similar platforms is an added advantage.

Age Limit

• Applicants must be below 45 years of age.
• This provision does not apply to internal candidates.

ECOWAS Key Competencies

The successful candidate should demonstrate:

• Knowledge of auditing principles, standards, practices, procedures, and methodologies, particularly compliance auditing.
• Strong knowledge of enterprise risk management frameworks, governance, financial management, and internal control procedures and best practices.
• In-depth knowledge of procedures and best practices in the core operational areas of ECOWAS Institutions, Specialised Agencies, and Offices.
• Ability to interpret laws, rules, regulations, and contractual provisions applicable within the ECOWAS Community.
• Ability to build knowledge and understanding of the OAG’s operations and ECOWAS sectoral areas.
• Ability to analyse business operations, policies, procedures, and control mechanisms, identify deficiencies, and develop appropriate recommendations.
• Ability to conduct compliance, operational, and programme audits of complex systems and structures.
• Ability to assess costs, benefits, risks, and potential outcomes when making decisions.
• Ability to analyse information from multiple sources to identify causes of problems, potential consequences, obstacles, and preventive measures.
• Ability to simplify complex situations and information when communicating recommendations and conclusions.
• Ability to develop new insights, apply innovative solutions, and design new approaches where existing methods are ineffective.
• Ability to research best practices and trends and benchmark findings to support organisational capacity and service delivery improvements.
• Ability to use networking and interpersonal skills to obtain feedback, information, and data from professionals across different countries, sectors, and organisations.
• Ability to develop and implement stakeholder management plans and initiatives to obtain support for new initiatives.
• Ability to establish and maintain professional credibility with clients and stakeholders.
• Understanding of the need for change and ability to support the implementation of change initiatives.
• Respect for cultural differences and ability to work effectively with people from diverse backgrounds.
• Understanding of diverse cultural perspectives, particularly within West Africa.
• Ability to listen actively and apply sound judgement, tact, and diplomacy.
• Ability to work effectively in a diverse and inclusive environment.
• Ability to incorporate gender perspectives and promote equal participation.
• Ability to encourage, empower, and advocate for people in an unbiased and transparent manner.
• Strong oral, written, visual, and non-verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage emotions effectively and communicate confidently, respectfully, and empathetically.
• Ability to interpret messages accurately and respond appropriately.
• Ability to use graphics and tables to present numerical information effectively.
• Ability to prepare technical reports, presentations, briefings, proposals, and other official documents.
• Active listening skills and the ability to promote effective communication and employee engagement.
• Ability to provide constructive feedback, recognise performance, address shortcomings, and motivate team members.
• Proficiency in Information and Communication Technology (ICT).
• Fluency in oral and written English, French, or Portuguese. Knowledge of an additional ECOWAS official language is an added advantage.
• Ability to develop and implement individual action plans to achieve specific work goals.
• Ability to organise and monitor tasks effectively.
• Ability to contribute to team tasks and projects while collaborating with colleagues to meet deadlines.
• Ability to organise work, set priorities, and meet timelines while considering details, stakeholders, indicators, and risks.
• Ability to identify, collect, and assess performance indicators and take proactive remedial action where necessary.
• Demonstrated honesty, openness, transparency, and integrity.
• Knowledge of the ECOWAS vision, mission, goals, institutions, sectors, programmes, projects, and activities.
• Understanding of organisational structures, management systems, strategic plans, business processes, operating procedures, and organisational dynamics.
• Knowledge of ECOWAS laws, rules, regulations, policies, culture, and operating environment.
• Understanding of internal and external factors, development trends, indicators, challenges, and opportunities relevant to the ECOWAS agenda, programmes, and projects.

Assessment Method

Assessment of qualified candidates may include a written exercise and a competency-based interview.

How to Apply

Interested and qualified candidates should submit the following documents as attachments to [email protected]:

• Completed Job Application Form
• Curriculum Vitae
• Cover Letter

Applicants should ensure that all required documents are attached to their application.

Application Closing Date

5th November, 2026.