About Unifi

Unifi is redefining credit in Africa with simple, fast personal loans delivered through online, mobile and branch channels.  We make life easy for thousands of clients across Zambia, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and South Africa. Unifi has conviction in the African continent and its people, and our products enable our clients to achieve even more. As one of the fastest-growing lenders in Africa, we combine exceptional client service with the very best tech and data analytics.

Learn more about Unifi at:

www.unifi.credit/about

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eUrwaPmzU5E

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vl32BzxAHfA&t=26s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Gf1ZiFpfSc&t=188s 

Role Purpose 

As an unsecured consumer lender operating in multiple Sub-Saharan African markets, Unifi faces elevated credit, fraud, operational, and technology risks. This role plays a critical part in safeguarding the business, protecting customers, and supporting sustainable growth.

The position combines strategic leadership, people management, and hands-on operational audit execution, with a strong focus on anti-fraud controls (internal and external), data-driven assurance, and regulatory compliance.

A sense of adventure, humor, and commitment to the mission of delivering impact in developing markets are essential.

Responsibilities

Leadership & Team Management

• Lead, develop, and manage a team of approximately ten Internal Audit & Compliance professionals located across multiple African countries.
• Set clear objectives, performance standards, and development plans for the Internal Audit team, as well as the Compliance team.
• Build a high-performance, ethical, and collaborative audit culture aligned with Unifi’s values.
• Ensure consistent audit methodologies, quality standards, and reporting across all geographies.
• Provide coaching, technical guidance, and mentoring to team members.

• Develop and maintain a risk-based Internal Audit & Compliance strategy and annual audit plan, aligned to Unifi’s risk profile, business strategy, and regulatory environment.
• Ensure audit coverage across all key risk areas, including:
• Processing of credit lifecycle (origination, underwriting, revenue calculations, collections, provisioning, write-offs)
• Fraud risk (internal fraud, external fraud, cyber-enabled fraud)
• IT systems control assurance.
• Financial controls and reporting.
• Regulatory compliance.
• Branch operations.
• Continuously reassess audit priorities in response to emerging risks, incidents, and business changes.

• Oversee and, where necessary, personally execute complex or high-risk audits, investigations, and thematic reviews.
• Evaluate the design and operating effectiveness of internal controls across processes, systems, and entities.
• Ensure timely, accurate, and practical audit reports with clear findings, root-cause analysis, and actionable recommendations.
• Track management action plans and provide assurance on remediation effectiveness.
• Deliver value-adding insights that go beyond compliance to improve efficiency, controls, and decision-making.

• Lead Unifi’s Internal Audit contribution to fraud prevention, detection, and response.
• Assess the effectiveness of anti-fraud frameworks, controls, and monitoring tools across all countries.
• Conduct or oversee investigations into suspected internal misconduct, collusion, and external fraud schemes.
• Work closely with management, Data & Risk, IT, and operations functions on fraud analytics, early-warning indicators, and control enhancements.
• Report significant fraud matters to senior management and the Finance & Risk Committees

• Present audit plans, key findings, trends, and risk themes to the Finance & Risk Committee and Board.
• Coordinate effectively with Compliance, External Audit, and Regulators where required.
• Maintain strong working relationships with the Finance & Risk Committee, executive management, and country leadership teams.
• Act as a trusted advisor to management while preserving independence and objectivity.

• Maintain and continuously improve audit methodologies, tools, and reporting standards.
• Oversee quality assurance and improvement programmes for Internal Audit.
  

Requirements

• Relevant professional qualification (e.g., CIA, CA(SA), ACCA, CISA, or equivalent)
• 10–15 years’ experience in Internal Audit, Risk, or Assurance roles.
• Fraud investigation or forensic audit experience.
• Proven experience leading and managing teams.
• Experience in financial services, consumer lending, microfinance, or fintech, preferably in Sub-Saharan Africa.
• Comfortable working across multiple countries or jurisdictions.
• Passion for Africa and commitment to making an impact in developing markets.
• Willingness to travel moderately to Unifi operating countries for audits and stakeholder engagement.