Head of Internal Audit Capability (AD7-AD9) Internal for eu-LISA staff only - European Union Agency for the Operational Management of Large-Scale IT Systems (AD9, Tallinn)

About this position

The summary below is published by European Union Agency for the Operational Management of Large-Scale IT Systems on the official vacancy notice. Our own analysis — salary realism, comparable openings, career trajectory, language profile — follows further down the page.

Key responsibilities

According to the vacancy notice, the role centres on the following duties:

• Lead and coordinate the activities of the Internal Audit Capability Sector
• Develop and implement risk-based multiannual and annual audit plans
• Conduct and supervise financial, compliance, performance and operational audits
• Identify emerging risks and opportunities for improvement
• Provide independent assurance, advice and recommendations on governance, risk management, internal controls, ethics and anti-fraud matters
• Report significant audit findings and monitor implementation of corrective actions
• Coordinate audits with Internal Audit Service (IAS), European Court of Auditors (ECA), OLAF and other assurance providers
• Act as principal contact point for external audit activities

Are you eligible?

Check these requirements from the notice before investing time in an application:

• Experience: Solid experience similar to duties outlined in the job description. Professional qualification(s) in auditing, demonstrated by internationally recognised certifications (e.g. CIA, CISA, CGAP or equivalent).
• Languages: English (C1)
• Key skills: Ability to lead, motivate and coordinate team work, Strategic thinking and risk anticipation, Integrity, independence, objectivity and confidentiality, Stakeholder management, negotiation and influencing skills, Interface with senior management and report at governance level, Analyse complex organisational, operational, financial and IT risks
• Eligibility: Must be engaged within eu-LISA as Temporary Staff 2(f) in function group AD, grade 7-9, on the closing date for applications and on the day of filling the post. Must produce appropriate character requirements for the duties involved. Security clearance level: SECRET UE/EU SECRET.

Contract and working arrangements

Contract duration: Temporary Staff.

Working arrangements: Hybrid working arrangements – Permanent relocation required.

Hiring unit: Internal Audit Capability Sector / Deputy Executive Director.

Position details

Reference

231

Last Verified

18 September 2026

Position overview

This is the official EU Careers listing for Head of Internal Audit Capability (AD7-AD9) Internal for eu-LISA staff only at eu-LISA based in Tallinn at the AD9 grade level (Temporary Agent). The vacancy reference is 231.

About the function

The Internal Audit Capability Sector (IACS) strengthens eu-LISA's ability to create, protect and sustain value by providing the Executive Director, Deputy Executive Director, the Audit Compliance and Finance Committee as

well as the Management Board with independent, risk-based and objective assurance, advice, insight and foresight. IACS supports the achievement of the Agency's strategic objectives by assessing and contributing to the continuous improvement of its governance, risk management and internal control processes.

In accordance with the Internal Audit Charter , IACS operates with organisational independence and professional

objectivity and provides unbiased assessments and recommendations to enhance accountability, transparency, operational effectiveness and sound financial management.

The sector develops and delivers a risk-based audit programme and monitors the implementation of agreed recommendations. It also coordinates relations with external assurance providers, including the Internal Audit Service (IAS) and the European Court of Auditors (ECA), ensuring effective cooperation and follow-up of audit recommendations.

In addition, IACS promotes ethics, integrity and fraud prevention throughout the Agency, contributes to the implementation of the Anti-Fraud Strategy and serves as the Agency's contact point for the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF).

1 Date of publication: 18/09/2026

Sector and Unit Internal Audit Capability Sector / Deputy Executive Director

Grade bracket AD7-AD9 (Temporary Staff)

Place of Employment Tallinn (Estonia)

Working model Hybrid working arrangements – Permanent relocation required

Level of Security Clearance SECRET UE/EU SECRET

Deadline for Application 19 October 2026 1 12:59 pm Tallinn time / 11:59 am Strasbourg time

INTERNAL VACANCY NOTICE –

Head of Internal Audit Capability (AD9)

Ref. eu-LISA/26/TA/AD9/16.2 2

European Union Agency for the Operational Management of Large-Scale IT Systems in the Area of Freedom, Security and Justice Vesilennuki 5, 10415 Tallinn, Estonia

www.eulisa.europa.eu

About the job

eu-LISA aims to establish a reserve list from which to source the best talent. You will report administratively to the Deputy Executive Director for day-to-day operations, while functional reporting will be to the Management Board. You will work closely with other internal assurance providers (e.g. Security Officer, Accounting Officer and Data Protection Officer), contributing to the strategic goal of further evolving the Agency towards an efficient, agile and resilient organisation within the EU regulatory framework.

Your tasks will include a wide range of responsibilities that extend beyond the following list:

- Lead and coordinate the activities of the Internal Audit Capability Sector 2, ensuring the effective delivery of audit and advisory engagements in accordance with professional standards;

- Develop and implement risk-based multiannual and annual audit plans, taking into account the Agency's strategic objectives, risk profile and management priorities;

- Conduct and supervise financial, compliance, performance and operational audits assessing the adequacy, effectiveness and efficiency of the Agency's governance, risk management and internal control processes, including IT controls and key projects;

- Identify emerging risks and opportunities for improvement and provide strategic insight to support the achievement of the Agency's objectives;

- Provide independent assurance, advice and recommendations to the Deputy Executive Director and Management Board on governance, risk management, internal controls, ethics and anti-fraud matters;

- Report significant audit findings, risk exposures and recommendations, while monitoring and reporting on the implementation of agreed corrective actions;

- Coordinate audits and maintain effective cooperation with the Internal Audit Service (IAS), the European Court of Auditors (ECA), OLAF and other relevant assurance providers;

- Act as the Agency's principal contact point for external audit activities and ensure effective coordination of audit-related matters across the organisation;

- Manage the resources of the Internal Audit Capability Sector and ensure compliance with applicable professional standards and quality assurance requirements.

Eligibility criteria

To be eligible for recruitment and selection, you need to meet the following formal criteria, which need to be fulfilled by the deadline for applications:

General conditions

1. You produce the appropriate character requirements for the duties involved;

2. You are engaged within eu-LISA as Temporary Staff 2(f) in function group AD, grade 7-9, on the closing date for applications and on the day of filling the post.

2 Subject to formal assignment of the staff member to the role of a Head of Sector by the Appointing Authority 3 European Union Agency for the Operational Management of Large-Scale IT Systems in the Area of Freedom, Security and Justice Vesilennuki 5, 10415 Tallinn, Estonia

Selection criteria

The suitability of candidates will be assessed against the following criteria during different stages of the selection procedure:

Experience

1. Solid experience similar to those duties outlined in the paragraph “About the job”. The Selection Committee will assess the range of fields covered, the length, the type and level of work done, and its relevance to the areas listed in section “About the job”.

2. Professional qualification(s) in auditing, demonstrated by internationally recognised certifications (e.g. CIA, CISA, CGAP or equivalent).

Soft Skills

3. Ability to lead, motivate and coordinate the work of a team, fostering collaboration, accountability and continuous improvement;

4. Ability to think strategically, anticipate emerging risks and opportunities, and provide forward-looking, risk-based advice to support organisational objectives and decision-making;

5. Ability to act with the highest standards of integrity, independence, objectivity and confidentiality while promoting a strong ethical culture within the Agency;

6. Excellent stakeholder management, negotiation and influencing skills with the ability to build effective working relationships while maintaining professional independence;

7. Outstanding ability to interface senior management and to report at governance level;

8. Ability to analyse complex organisational, operational, financial and information technology risks and develop risk-based and pragmatic recommendations.

Language

9. Strong drafting and communication skills in English, both orally and in writing, at least at the C1 3 level.

Advantageous

10. Professional experience at an International Organisation or EU Institution or body;

11. Experience with IT and/or cybersecurity audit.

3 Cf. Language levels of the Common European Framework of reference: http://europass.cedefop.europa.eu/en/resources/european-language-levels-cefr 4 European Union Agency for the Operational Management of Large-Scale IT Systems in the Area of Freedom, Security and Justice Vesilennuki 5, 10415 Tallinn, Estonia

Application process and next steps

Ready to join us in building a safer Europe? Apply now!

Before submitting your application, you should carefully check whether you meet all eligibility requirements.

Please complete your application form via the e-recruitment platform here . Due to the fact that this is an internal

selection, one must select ‘Internal’ next to the ‘Selection procedure type’ field and click ’Search’ here .

It is in your interest to ensure that your application is accurate, thorough, and truthful. Your application should contain personal details, educational background, professional experience, language proficiency, motivation letter, and responses to pre-screening questions, if applicable. Candidates are requested to support their application with adequate, concise examples of their work experience and qualification, especially if not directly addressed in the duties listed in the application under professional experience.

Please note that if at any stage of the selection procedure it is established that any of the requested information provided by a candidate is false, they will be disqualified.

If a candidate reaches the final stage, they will be requested to supply documentary evidence in support of the statements that they made for this application.

If you encounter any difficulties during the application process or have any further questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to the Talent Acquisition Service. Feel free to send an email to eulisa-

[email protected] .

Equal Opportunities Employer

As an equal opportunity employer, we are committed to recruit and value individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences, and to foster an inclusive working environment, where everyone can be themselves. We encourage all suitably qualified and eligible candidates to apply regardless of their gender identity/expression, age, racial, ethnic and cultural background, religion and beliefs, sexual orientation, disability or neurodiversity.

Candidates requiring reasonable accommodation during any stage of the selection procedure (e.g. written tests or interviews) are invited to inform the Agency in advance. Supporting documentation may be requested where appropriate. We will make every reasonable effort to provide the necessary accommodations and to ensure your full and equal participation in the selection process.

Join our diverse team, where you will have the opportunity to grow both professionally and personally while enjoying the journey. 5

Selection procedure

The selection procedure includes the following steps:

 A Selection Committee, designated by the Appointing Authority, is established for the selection procedure.

 Each application is checked to verify whether the candidate meets the eligibility criteria.

Salary at this grade

Basic monthly salary at AD9 runs from €10,083 (step 1) to €11,408 (top step), giving an annual range of roughly €120,996 to €136,896 before tax and allowances. Steps increase automatically every two years; the figures here are taken from the salary grid in the EU Staff Regulations.

Eligible staff posted away from their country of nationality also receive an expatriation allowance worth 16% of basic salary (around €1,613 per month at step 1 of AD9) together with household, dependent-child, and education allowances where applicable. Take-home pay is then adjusted by the country correction coefficient for Tallinn. For a worked example see our correction coefficients guide and the EU salaries overview.

Application timeline

This vacancy was first listed on 18 September 2026, 2 days ago.

No closing date is published in the source feed for this position. EU vacancies typically remain open for four to eight weeks; check the official vacancy notice for the cut-off date and time.

Last verified against the EU Careers feed on 18 September 2026 (2 days ago).

Where to learn more

For full responsibilities, requirements, and career progression at AD9 see our AD9 grade page; for headcount, mission, and other open vacancies at eu-LISA see the eu-LISA institution page; for the cost of living, correction coefficient, and other postings in Tallinn see our Tallinn location page.

New to EU careers? Our beginner's guide walks through entry routes, EPSO competitions, and what to prepare. For application logistics see application tips and EPSO competitions.