The Assistant Director Regulatory, Audit and Compliance is responsible for planning, directing and coordinating a team of auditors engaged in risk assessment, special investigations, and field audit work in efforts to mitigate and eliminate risks and promote compliance with laws and regulations.

WATER AND SEWERAGE AUTHORITY OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

Job Title:   Assistant Director, Regulatory Audit and Compliance

Division:  Internal Audit

Location:Head Office, St. Joseph

Reports to: Chief Internal Auditor

1. JOB PURPOSE:  

The Assistant Director Regulatory, Audit and Compliance is responsible for planning, directing and coordinating all activities of a team of auditors engaged in risk assessment, special investigations, and field audit work in efforts to mitigate and eliminate risks and promote compliance with laws and regulations. Duties involve assisting in the development of audit plans and monitoring of the progress of the audit, informing relevant officers of adjustments and the conclusion of the audit, preparing and submitting reports of audit results and discussing matters arising out of audit inspections. Core duties also involve providing guidance, training and updates to staff on new systems to evaluate compliance with tax, environmental and regulatory laws, policies and any changes in the legislation and regulations governing water and wastewater. This includes providing leadership and strategic oversight to the Team Leads in the execution of their duties and management of the deployed resources. 

This role supports a transformed Authority in achieving its strategic mandate through the development and execution of policies and/or programs, accountability for staffing and leading teams to achieve the stated strategic goals.

This role ensures that the Authority has a robust strategic plan designed to achieve short and long-term sustainability goals, initiatives and projects through active environmental scanning, research strategies, business planning and development strategies and project planning and execution.

2.0KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES:

STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT

1. Contributes to the development of the strategic plan for the Division/Department/Unit by planning, organising and coordinating activities designed to achieve the transformation agenda.

2. Provides wide aspect guidance to the Team Leads under his/her control as a primary means to facilitate the execution of their substantive job functions.

3. Develops, implements and promulgates Audit policy initiatives designed to improve the execution of the Department’s mandate.

4. Leads the development of reporting on Departmental outputs, provides data and intelligence that is used to inform strategy and planning for audit, construction, and maintenance projects.

5. Maintain oversight on intra-departmental procurement and supply chain management, facilitating seamless integration of the Department’s procurement requirement for functional and deliverable specific consumables with the broader, Authority-wide optimization of resource management.

6. Leads the analysis of Audit research that informs the Authority’s sustainability strategies and objectives.

7. Leads the monitoring process for projects as directed by the Authority and the stated plans.

8. Coordinates the annual work plan and tasks of the audit section based on the risk assessment and controls to be implemented.

9. Reviews files completed by subordinates by critically scrutinising calculations, explanations and documentation according to the prevailing regulations and requests adjustments, as necessary.

10. Monitors the progress of the audit workplan by discussing the work in progress with the auditors and assisting with arising problems.

Reviews cases completed of audit files to confirm cases, ensuring completeness in accordance with tax laws, policies and principles.

OPERATIONS

11. Provides approval authority on the project development cycle for the successful completion of the Annual Audit plan.

12. Develops and implements a work plan and schedule for the conduct of audits and for advancing the impact and stature of the Internal Audit Activity

13. Advances the Enterprise Risk Management Framework and enhances the Authority’s risk coverage.

14. Leverages the extended compliance and ethical culture of the Authority.

15. Conducts or manages special investigations. 

16. PEOPLE 

17. Collaborates with leaders and the Board in the project initiative planning processes.

18. Collaborates with relevant stakeholders in the conduct of research and analyses that inform strategies and activities for sustainable and economic development for the Authority.

19. Leads the human resources activity for the unit by managing staff performance through coaching, oral and written discipline and making appropriate interventions for improved performance.

20. Collaborates with Team Leads to execute and evaluate projects and initiatives.

21. Promotes a healthy and safe culture that is compliant with government legislation, company policy, and environmental regulations and standards.

REPORTS

22. Completes plans and executive level reporting for the Department/Unit’s function.

23. Completes activity reporting for all accountabilities.

24. Provides reporting on projects under management.

Together with such other tasks as required by the Director and which are appropriate up to the grading level of the post.

3.0COMPETENCIES

CORE

1. Safety: Adherence to the safety practices, laws and codes guidelines, as outlined in the Safety Policy, Operational Manuals and other company documents. Safety First!

2. Teamwork: To work together with one or more persons / organizations to complete a project or task, working towards a common good to benefit the team or organization. Demonstrating the ability to develop, maintain, and strengthen partnerships with others both inside and outside the organization. 

3. Enterprise Customer Advocacy: An obvious focus on what is best for the customer throughout the enterprise, a desire to assist and/or serve customers and meet their needs. Taking personal responsibility for addressing issues in customer-service with prompt effective solutions and without becoming defensive; Ability to prioritize multiple customer needs and act in accordance with the department initiatives and the organisation's core values. It is simply about putting the customer first in everything that we do at WASA.

4. Professionalism: The habitual and judicious use of communication, technical and problem-solving skills, clinical reasoning, emotions, values, and reflection in daily practice for the benefit of the company and community.  Demonstrates a conscientious, courteous, and business-oriented manner while on the job. 

5. Uprightness: Adhering to the company’s Code of Conduct policy and all other company policies and guidelines. Promotes professionalism, morality, civility and ethical principles, demonstrating commitment to openness, being transparent and honest in one’s dealings with persons internal and external to WASA i.e., Doing the Right Thing All the Time.

TECHNICAL

6. Auditing: Demonstrated expertise in Audit management evidenced by relevant certification and the ability to demonstrate depth of knowledge and skill in a specialized discipline.

7. Business Analysis: Knowledge and ability to apply the principles of business analysis in the planning, and requirement gathering for business case analyses for policy initiatives encompassing environments, operations, processes, and practices.

8. Project Management:The ability to apply formal project management principles and practices during the planning, implementation, monitoring and completion of projects. The ability to identify resources needed to meet project objectives, develop and manage the project plan, including timelines, deliverables, milestones, and costs. The ability to identify potential roadblocks and risks and develop contingency plans to deal with them.

LEADERSHIP

9. Business Acumen: Demonstrates a deep understanding of the business environment, including the business case for MDBs. Capable of developing strategies that secure sustainable development of the company, capable of building and cultivating external relationships.

10. Critical & Strategic Thinking: Sees the bigger picture and strives to effectively integrate departmental resources into a cohesive whole. Takes a strategic approach to leadership and planning, thinking about long term Authority deliverables and organizational transformational strategies. Works to implement the strategic plan, monitoring and reviewing departmental activities to ensure they are aligned with the broader Authority objectives and goals. Self-directed thinking that produces new and innovative ideas and solves problems. Reflecting critically on learning experiences and processes and making effective decisions.

11. Results Orientation: The ability to set challenging goals with desired results and to focus one's effort and the effort of the unit on the desired result. Demonstrating a strong sense of urgency in achieving results and solving problems to accomplish work.

12. Managing through Change and Uncertainty: Adjusts thinking and behaviour to resiliently face change and uses experience to fuel growth. Embraces failure as a learning opportunity for self and others. Enables the process of change and transition while helping others navigate through the effects of change.

13. Communication: The ability to communicate effectively both verbal and written. Effectively and appropriately interacts with others to build and foster existing relationships, influence, and facilitate the sharing of ideas and information.

14. Stakeholder Management:  The ability to work cooperatively with stakeholders, business professionals and partners and advise on strategic and operational issues, through insights that support business decisions.

15. People Leadership: The ability to inspire, motivate, and empower people to achieve organizational goals. Coaches, mentors, and manages employee experience, and employee performance, through mindful preparation. Creates space for others to lead.

4.0QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE:

4.1Bachelor’s degree in Management, Accounting, Finance or equivalent and any equivalent combination of experience and education.

4.2Advanced professional qualification/membership e.g. FCCA or ACCA or ICATT -The Institute of Chartered Internal Auditors or Institute of Internal Auditors (IAT).

4.3At least ten (10) years working experience in the Auditing field including five (5) years at managerial / senior level.

5.0KEY RELATIONSHIPS:

1. Direct Reports: Team Leads

2. Indirect Reports: Auditors 

3. Internal Contacts: Assistant Directors

4. External Contacts: Government agencies, IDB, CDB, CARICOM, CARIRI, PAHO

6.0ACCOUNTABILITIES/OUTPUTS: (Areas for which the incumbent is directly answerable for attaining and delivering in the course of duty)