Cellulant is an African fintech and payments company that helps businesses accept digital payments across online and offline channels through a single API. Its platform supports mobile money, local and international cards, and direct bank-account payments, connecting businesses with major mobile money operators and more than 210 banks across Africa. By bringing these payment methods together, Cellulant provides infrastructure for businesses operating in Africa’s evolving digital payments market.
Principal Internal Auditor - Cellulant (Nairobi, Hybrid)
Lead risk-based internal audits and strengthen controls across Cellulant’s African payments operations. The role covers audit delivery, risk mitigation, reporting, and development of Internal Audit Analysts in Kenya, Nigeria, Uganda, and Tanzania.
Description
- Support the Group Head of Internal Audit with the risk-based audit plan and its execution
- Help maintain and review the audit charter, manual, policies, and supporting frameworks
- Create and implement audit programs focused on internal controls and policy compliance
- Build effective relationships while advising on controls, risk management, compliance, and governance
- Plan, perform, and review financial, compliance, and operational audits
- Lead audit teams through record reviews, compliance assessments, control evaluations, and corrective actions
- Flag control deficiencies and recommend prompt measures to reduce risk
- Maintain and quality-review audit work papers and procedures
- Draft evidence-based findings and reports using documented audit processes
- Perform follow-up reviews to track implementation of internal and external audit recommendations
- Coordinate activities with the external audit team
- Contribute to internal audit strategy and related initiatives
- Review physical and electronic backups of internal audit documentation
- Train, supervise, coach, and mentor Internal Audit Analysts
- Partner with management and senior leaders to support sustainable business growth
- Undertake additional duties assigned by the Group Head of Internal Audit
Requirements
- Commercially minded, with attention to service quality and customer experience outcomes
- Self-directed, entrepreneurial, passionate, and comfortable with technology
- Highly effective written and verbal communicator
- Able to prioritize work, manage competing demands, and meet deadlines and OKRs
- Technically capable of understanding complex information and applying practical business solutions
- Consistently accurate and attentive to detail
- Strong analytical capability with sound numerical aptitude
- Fintech or payments industry experience is an advantage
- Prior leadership experience in an internal audit function is an advantage
- Experienced in cross-functional work within a fast-moving environment
- Aware of emerging technologies and their implications for controls and audit methods
- Experienced auditing organizations in rapidly changing industries
- Able to introduce and manage organizational change
- University degree required, preferably in a business-related field
- CPA, CIA, or CISA certification is an advantage
- Membership in a relevant professional body, such as ICPAK or IIA
- At least 8 years of internal audit experience in high-growth organizations
- Payments services experience is an advantage
- Strong knowledge of auditing standards, procedures, laws, rules, and regulations
- Able to perform under pressure, manage substantial workloads, and meet demanding reporting deadlines
- Broad technical understanding of business conduct, corporate governance, regulatory risk, and regulatory change
- Record of improving process efficiency
- Experience with data and data-manipulation tools may be required
- Able to contribute effectively within a dynamic team
- Able to work independently while sustaining motivation
Benefits
- Compensation aligned with the market
- Generous paid personal time off
- Medical insurance, where available in the market
- Life insurance, where available in the market
- Collaborative workplace
- Individualized career paths supporting employee growth and development
- Supportive, delivery-focused work environment
- Reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process