Application Open:
Full-Time
Job Focus:
MBZUAI is seeking a Financial Governance Specialist to support and strengthen the University’s financial governance framework by ensuring compliance with institutional policies, internal controls, and applicable regulatory standards. The role focuses on safeguarding the integrity of financial operations through compliance reviews, enhancing the effectiveness of finance and procurement committee governance, and driving operational efficiency by recommending process improvements and supporting audit readiness.
The position requires close collaboration across departments to align financial practices with MBZUAI’s strategic objectives, manage and support Internal Controls over Financial Reporting (ICoFR), and contribute to accurate, efficient, and well-controlled financial operations, while promoting a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
Key Responsibilities:
Financial Governance and Compliance
- Perform internal control testing, compliance reviews, and risk assessments to ensure adherence to policies, regulations, and governance standards.
- Provide compliance input and support initiatives that strengthen governance and reporting accuracy.
Policies, Frameworks, and Delegation of Authority
- Review and align financial policies, procedures, and Delegation of Authority frameworks.
- Resolve gaps, overlaps, or inconsistencies to improve clarity and enforceability
- Support updates to the Procurement Committee Charter in line with best-practice governance.
Internal Controls and ICoFR
- Develop, maintain, and enhance internal control and ICoFR frameworks.
- Conduct periodic ICoFR assessments to confirm control effectiveness and audit readiness.
- Maintain accurate governance and ICoFR documentation.
Systems Access and Data Integrity
- Partner with IT to enforce access controls, segregation of duties, and onboarding/offboarding controls.
- Conduct regular access reviews to protect financial and operational data integrity.
Process Improvement and Operational Support
- Review financial processes and recommend improvements to efficiency, effectiveness, and compliance.
- Support consistent and compliant financial operations across departments.
Audit and Assurance
- Coordinate and track management responses to audit findings.
- Translate audit recommendations into action plans with timelines and KPIs.
Stakeholder Engagement and Alignment
- Liaise with academic, research, and operational units to provide financial governance support.
- Ensure alignment of financial practices with MBZUAI’s strategic and research priorities.
Collaboration and Professional Development
- Contribute to a collaborative team culture through knowledge sharing.
- Participate in ongoing training to strengthen governance, compliance, and control expertise
Academic Qualifications:
- A minimum of a bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or similar discipline.
- A Master’s degree is preferred, e.g. MBA.
Professional Experience:
Essential:
- 3-5 years of experience in Financial Governance tasks.
- Evidence of compliance with internal controls and regulatory frameworks (IPSAS, IFRS).
- Ability to align financial frameworks to improve governance and controls.
- Evidence of implementation of Delegation of Authority (DoA) aligned with financial strategy.
- Demonstrable experience related Access rights and controls of systems.
- Proficiency in AI tools and financial software applications.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.
- Demonstrable expertise in financial analysis and reporting.
- Demonstrable familiarity with Oracle financial management systems and other systems.
- Evidence of the ability to plan, prioritize, and meet deadlines
Preferred:
- ACCA or CPA or CGRP or CICA preferred.
- Understanding of Middle Eastern working practices and culture.
