Audit Project Lead

Important messages

We are committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free work environment, starting with the hiring process. If you need to be accommodated during any phase of the evaluation process, please use the Contact information below to request specialized accommodation. All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential.

Assessment accommodation

CIHR’s office is located in Ottawa, Ontario; however, employees are currently working within a flexible work arrangement pending the move to a newly updated, centrally located office in September 2025. At the new workplace, CIHR has adopted a hybrid work model and will follow the Direction on Prescribed Presence in the Workplace. Hiring managers will provide further details to candidates as applicable.

The position is classified at the GR-10 level which is approximately equivalent to the CT-IAU-03. We may consider substantive CT-IAU-03 applicants ahead of all others.

Candidates must identify in detail how they meet all essential qualifications. Failure to address these requirements may result in the candidate being screened out. Interested persons must meet each essential qualification to be appointed to the position. A person may be appointed to the position even though he/she does not meet any or all of the asset qualifications. However, meeting these criteria is desirable and may be a deciding factor in choosing the person to be appointed.

Duties

CIHR’s Office of Internal Audit (OIA) is an important and respected function within the agency. Senior management depends upon the OIA’s assurance and advisory services to make decisions that have tangible impacts on operations and strategy. The OIA is a trusted advisor to senior management and is called upon often to provide insights and business intelligence to advance the agency’s agenda.

This is not an old school audit shop!

The increasing demand for valuable insights and advice means that the OIA is growing! Working for CIHR’s OIA means you’re a member of a small but mighty team reporting directly to the President. The OIA is where your voice matters and your contributions will make an impact. You will enjoy high visibility and direct exposure to senior management, helping you build a rewarding career. It’s also a place where you will try new things, continuously learn, and develop on a clear career path.

The OIA’s work is exciting, varied and aligned with emerging risks facing the agency, as such, the OIA is also not afraid of doing work that is considered ‘outside of the box’ for many auditors. For example, in recent years, the OIA has completed engagements related to the workplace of the future, change management, and employee well-being. This type of work makes working within the OIA stimulating and dynamic.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES

Reporting to the Internal Audit Principal, the Audit Project Lead is responsible for leading both assurance and advisory engagements using assigned internal resources or external resources (e.g., contractors). In this role, the Audit Project Lead completes all phases of the engagement including planning, conduct and, reporting; and manages relationships with engagement clients.

The Audit Project Lead plans engagements and drafts Terms of References with a defined scope, objective and detailed objective criteria enabling the audit team to make an assessment and render conclusions against the objectives.

During the conduct phase the Audit Project Lead designs and executes the detailed work-plan and audit procedures in order to develop results and conclusions from appropriate analyses and tests, and records relevant information and evidence in a formal and structured manner. Lastly, the position is responsible for ensuring the timely completion of internal audit engagements and for the preparation of audit reports, recommendations and briefing material on internal auditing engagements for senior management, the Audit Committee and the Office of the Comptroller General.

Work environment

WHO ARE WE?

The Canadian Institutes of Health Research is a federal government agency that provides funding to support the work of thousands of health researchers. CIHR's mission is to support a healthier Canada by leading investment in innovative and collaborative research and helping to solve our health care challenges today and in the future. Composed of 13 Institutes, CIHR provides leadership and support to more than 13,000 health researchers and trainees across Canada. Are you looking for new challenges in a dynamic team? Are you looking for an environment where your expertise is recognized and heard?

If you answered yes to the above, then come join our team!

WHY WORK AT CIHR?

CIHR is dedicated to creating a healthy and stimulating work environment. People are the foundation of our organization. As a member of a CIHR team, you will become part of a diverse community where teamwork and the sharing of ideas amplifies our effectiveness. In addition to a dynamic environment where your work is valued by senior management, CIHR offers excellent conditions that set the agency apart from other employers. For instance, employees enjoy:

• Competitive salary scale: bilingual bonuses and performance pay
• Progressive work environment
• Hybrid Work Model
• Seamless transition for public servants
• A great work-life balance

As a Government of Canada Agency, CIHR employees are considered public servants and receive the same pension and benefits as the core public administration.

The CIHR is a separate agency of the Government of Canada, which allows us to establish human resources policies and programs that meet our specific needs. We encourage existing public servants to contact the email address below for questions related to transferring to a separate agency.

Intent of the process

The intent of this process is to staff (2) positions (1 indeterminate and 1 term). A pool of pre-qualified candidates may be established to staff future identical or similar positions within CIHR with various tenures (assignment, specified period or indeterminate), various security clearance levels and/or various bilingual linguistic profiles.

Positions to be filled: 2

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

In order to be considered, your application must clearly explain how you meet the following (essential qualifications)

EDUCATION

• Graduation with a degree from a recognized university with a specialization in a relevant field of study to the position such as business administration, social sciences, finance, or commerce.

Degree equivalency

EXPERIENCE

• Experience in completing the planning, conducting and reporting of internal or external audit or advisory projects that provide advice to senior management.
• Experience in writing audit reports or major sections of an audit report, and developing recommendations for business improvements to governance, internal control, and/or risk management.
• Experience in preparing written materials that include advice and recommendations such as but not limited to briefing notes, presentations and reports.

If you possess any of the following, your application must also clearly explain how you meet it (other qualifications)

EDUCATION

• Possession of an audit certification such as CIA, CISA, CGAP, CFE or an accounting designation such as a CPA.

Degree equivalency

EXPERIENCE

• Experience in quantitative and qualitative data analysis from multiple sources to provide evidence-based advice and recommendations.
• Experience performing a minimum of three assurance engagements; completing each of the planning, conducting, and reporting phases at least once.
• Experience preparing and presenting briefing materials, reports, and presentations for senior management.
• Experience coaching, supervising, and mentoring employees.

KNOWLEDGE

· Knowledge of additional TB policies such as financial management or frameworks such as TB framework for the management of risk, COSO 2013, or the IIA’s Professional Practices Framework.
· Internal Control auditing techniques aligned with industry best practices.

The following will be applied / assessed at a later date (essential for the job)

Bilingual - Imperative (BBB/BBB)

Information on language requirements

KNOWLEDGE

· Policy and Framework Knowledge: Strong understanding of Treasury Board (TB) policies, standards, and guidelines related to internal audit.
· Audit, Risk, and Control Expertise: In-depth knowledge of internal audit concepts, risk assessment methodologies, internal controls, monitoring/testing practices.
· Analytical and Management Techniques: Proficient in at least one of the following techniques, methods, principles or practices of project management: budgeting, trend analysis, research methods, needs analysis, cost-benefit analysis, or risk analysis.

COMPETENCIES

• Critical Thinking
• Judgement
• Working with others (Collaborating and Relationship Management)
• Planning and Organizing
• Initiative
• Communication (Oral and Written)

Conditions of employment

Secret security clearance

Other information

The Public Service of Canada is committed to building a skilled and diverse workforce that reflects the Canadians we serve. We promote employment equity and encourage you to indicate if you belong to one of the designated groups when you apply.

Information on employment equity

1) The CIHR is committed to having a skilled and diversified workforce representative of the population it serves. In an effort to improve representation to reflect Canada’s diversity, preference may be given to candidates who, at the time of application, indicate that they are belonging to one of the following Employment Equity groups (self-declaration): Indigenous peoples, Women, Visible Minorities and Persons with Disabilities.

2) The application method selected for this hiring process will be through online-applications submitted via the GC Jobs site. To submit an application on-line, please select the button "Apply Online" below.

3) We would like to thank all candidates who apply. Only those selected for assessment will be contacted. We will communicate with you regarding this process by email. Applicants should use an email address that accepts messages from unknown senders (some email systems block such messages). If you do not respond to our communications, we will interpret this as your withdrawal from the process.

4) From amongst those candidates that meet the essential criteria of education and experiences; CIHR may select a certain number of candidates that most closely meet the position requirements to participate in the next selection phase.

5) For questions, please contact hrstaffing-rhdotation@cihr-irsc.gc.ca.

We thank all those who apply. Only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.

Contact information

Apply online