Head of Internal Audit

Job title

Head of Internal Audit

Grade

 

Stream

Internal Audit

Function

Internal Audit

Location

Muscat

Budget control

*OPEX and/or CAPEX and/or Revenue amount as relevant*

Reporting to

VP Internal Audit

Direct reports

-

Job purpose

 

To provide assurance to key assigned stakeholders and leading assigned team on Internal Audit (IA) end-to-end activates/cycle, under the final scope of Internal Audit VP by leading the IA matters for which the position is responsible for and managing its risk effectively, with appropriate governance and internal control processes while advising on “best practice and measures” to take to increase value.

 

The position will act in accordance with the OQEP’s Mission, Vision, Values & Strategies, as well as, policies, guidelines and international standards, supported by an IT Technology platform, HSE standards, Omani’s government & other legal justifications, and best international practices in consonance with national objectives

Main tasks and responsibilities 

 

  • Advise the VP to create and maintain a risk-based internal audit plan (including budgeting and resource plan) .
  • Lead the implementation of the plan, ensure proper resourcing for implementation of the plan, and adjust the plan as needed in response to emerging risks, operations, programs, systems and controls.
  • Keep the VPs apprised of any changes needed to the internal audit plan.
  • Ensure methodical documentation of work plans, testing results, conclusions and recommendations, in line with the standards of the IIA.
  • Develop the audit techniques to ensure continuing improvement in the standard of the audit work and continuing relevance to business needs together with the other IA members.
  • Ensure follow-up on findings and corrective actions to ensure continuous improvement in the management of risk and operational excellence within the assigned asset.
  • Manage the requirements and expectation of State/external auditors as directed by the VP, to ensure the audit work remains within the prescribed guidelines.
  • Manage the preparation of Audit Committee materials.
  • Participate in quarterly or more frequent Audit Committee meetings.
  • Evaluate performance of the Internal Auditor staff, and develop and implement an Individual Development Plan.
  • Ensure close and cordial working relationship with the Executive Leadership levels.
  • Manage the performance of audit procedures, identifying and defining issues, developing audit criteria, reviewing and analyzing evidence, and documenting client processes and procedures.
  • Communicate results of audit and consulting projects via written reports and presentations to management.
  • Develop and maintain good communication lines with client, staff and management relationships through individual contacts and group meetings.
  • Lead in the investigation of significant issues in the Company including fraud.
  • Advise the VP to setup/update/maintain the Assurance Functions Charter, policies, procedures and standards.
  • Advise in the IA Objectives KPIs, Targets and change/action plans together with IA VP.
  • Consolidate all reports submitted for stakeholder reporting including those towards Management, External Parties, The State Audit Institution, and the Audit Committee for IA VP’s approval.
  • Support in oversees the technical and functional administration of the audit management system including user access rights management, development of reports, and customizing various forms and workflows in line with the business requirements.
  • Advise on the process of assisting Assurance members with their data and analytics requirements, including extracting, compiling and analyzing data where relevant.
  • Stakeholder Management, which includes Management, Assurance Leadership team, ELT, Board Audit and Risk Committee etc. 
  • Keep up to date on regulatory trends, changes and developments in auditing, particularly in relation to technology and information security to anticipate impact on OQEP and its systems and processes

 

Key interactions

Board Audit and Risk Committee (BARC) | Executive Leadership Team (ELT) | BOD | Senior Management | Value Partners | Auditors (state, statutory, ISO, EHS, etc.) | Lawyers | External Consultants | Government / Ministries

Notable working conditions Primarily office-based with occasional domestic and international travel required.

Education requirements

  • Minimum of Bachelor’s Degree.
  • Preferred Professional qualifications such as CIA, CISA, CRMA, CRISC

Language 

English – fluent (required) | Arabic – fluent (prefered)

Background and experience

Competencies and skills

  • Minimum 10 years of overall experience in internal auditing out of which 3 years in a leadership position.
  • In-depth understanding of the Oil & Gas / Energy industry, especially in the Upstream, Projects, Commercial and F&S.
  • Experience in leading diverse small to medium size team on assignments with strict timelines and deliverables
  • Experience in Big4 will be an advantage.
  • Demonstrated strategic orientation
  • Advanced business and financial analytical skills
  • Demonstrated ability to influence complex internal and external stakeholders who may have conflicting interests
  • Demonstrated ability to conduct complex negotiation
  • Ability to present ideas in a succinct and convincing manner, adapting delivery according to audience
  • Demonstrated leadership, developing high performing teams
  • Ability to inspire and lead complex change
Job Req ID:  56505
Date:  Oct 2, 2025
Location: 

Muscat, OM

Entity:  OQ Exploration and Prod.
Business Unit:  Internal Audit
Division: 
Country/Region:  OM