Head of Assurance – Internal Controls

Forest Stewardship Council™

Head of Assurance & Internal Controls providing leadership for FSC’s global assurance and internal control framework. Enhancing organizational resilience and safeguarding FSC’s reputation and resources.

Posted 7/10/2026full-timeBonn • 🇩🇪 GermanyLeadWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in leading global assurance and internal control frameworks, ensuring compliance and operational effectiveness while engaging with executive leadership and stakeholders. Proficient in driving continuous improvement initiatives and managing cross-functional partnerships to enhance organizational governance and risk management.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Internal Audit LeadershipEnterprise-Wide Assurance StrategyGovernance Framework DevelopmentRisk Management ExpertiseFinancial Compliance Oversight

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Internal ControlsAssurance StrategyGovernance PracticesRisk ManagementFinancial IntegrityControl StandardsProcess ImprovementData GovernanceControl AutomationERP Systems

Soft Skills

Analytical SkillsCommunication SkillsRelationship ManagementIntegrityProfessional Judgment

Certifications & Qualifications

CIACPAACCACISACRMA

Industry Keywords

GovernanceComplianceInternal AuditFinancial StewardshipMatrixed Environments

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

ERP

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Provide strategic leadership for FSC’s global assurance, governance, and internal control framework across its international network.
Lead FSC’s global Assurance & Internal Controls function, including the leadership, development, and performance management of a distributed team.
Define and execute FSC’s enterprise-wide assurance strategy and governance model.
Own and continuously evolve the global internal control framework, ensuring financial integrity, operational effectiveness, and compliance.
Establish and enforce organization-wide control standards, methodologies, governance structures, and accountability for control ownership and testing.
Provide independent oversight and challenge on governance, risk, controls, and financial stewardship matters.
Advise Executive Leadership and contribute to Board and Audit Committee discussions on assurance, governance, and control effectiveness.
Lead enterprise-wide reviews of critical end-to-end business processes (P2P, O2C, R2R, H2R) to identify risks, control gaps, and process inefficiencies.
Drive global remediation and continuous improvement initiatives, ensuring timely execution of corrective actions by accountable business owners.
Own FSC’s assurance coordination model, serving as the primary interface for internal and external auditors and assurance providers.
Provide independent assurance on control effectiveness, remediation progress, and compliance with regulatory, donor, and governance requirements.
Lead the assurance and controls agenda for ERP systems, financial applications, data governance, control automation, and digital transformation initiatives.
Build strong cross-functional partnerships and lead global governance initiatives that strengthen organizational capability, accountability, risk awareness, and control maturity.

Requirements

What you’ll need

A university degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, Economics, Risk Management, or a related discipline.
Professional qualifications such as CIA, CPA, ACCA, CISA, CRMA, or equivalent.
At least 10 years of progressive experience in internal audit, internal controls, assurance, governance, compliance, risk management, or finance leadership.
Demonstrated experience operating in international, matrixed, and multicultural environments.
Strong understanding of enterprise-wide internal control frameworks and governance practices.
Experience engaging with executive leadership and influencing senior stakeholders.
Excellent analytical, communication, and relationship management skills.
High levels of integrity, professional judgment, and credibility.

Benefits

Comp & perks

30 days of annual leave
Flexible work arrangements
Healthy work-life balance
Professional development opportunities
Relocation support available