Head of Internal Audit Capability - 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 and maintain effective cooperation with IAS, 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:

• Education: Completed university studies attested by a diploma when the normal period of university education is four years or more, or completed university studies attested by a diploma when the normal period of university education is at least three years or more and appropriate professional experience of at least one year
• Experience: At least twelve (12) years of proven full-time professional experience relevant to the duties after the award of the qualification certifying the completion of studies
• Languages: EU official language (C1), EU official language (B2), English (C1)
• Key skills: Ability to lead, motivate and coordinate team work, Strategic thinking and ability to anticipate emerging risks and opportunities, Highest standards of integrity, independence, objectivity and confidentiality, Excellent stakeholder management, negotiation and influencing skills, Ability to interface senior management and report at governance level, Ability to analyse complex organisational, operational, financial and IT risks, Strong drafting and communication skills in English at C1 level
• Eligibility: National of one of the EU Member States or Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, or Switzerland; enjoy full rights as a citizen; produce appropriate character requirements; physically fit to perform duties; fulfilled obligations imposed by laws concerning military service; certificate of absence of any criminal record required prior to appointment

Selection process

The notice describes the following selection steps:

• Assessment of experience in duties outlined and range of fields covered
• Assessment of professional qualifications in auditing (CIA, CISA, CGAP or equivalent)
• Assessment of soft skills including leadership, strategic thinking, integrity, stakeholder management, and communication abilities

Contract and working arrangements

Hiring unit: Internal Audit Capability Sector, eu-LISA.

Position details

Reference

230

Last Verified

18 September 2026

Position overview

This is the official EU Careers listing for Head of Internal Audit Capability at eu-LISA based in Tallinn at the AD9 grade level (Temporary Agent). The vacancy reference is 230.

VACANCY NOTICE – Head of Internal Audit Capability (AD9)

Ref. eu-LISA/26/TA/AD9/16.1 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 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).

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; 2 Subject to formal assignment of the staff member to the role of a Head of Sector by the Appointing Authority 3

www.eulisa.europa.eu

 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 application:

General conditions

1. You are national of one of the EU Member States or Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, or Switzerland 3 and you enjoy full rights as a citizen 4.2. You produce the appropriate character requirements for the duties involved. 3. You are physically fit to perform your duties 5.4. You have fulfilled any obligations imposed on you by the laws concerning military service.

Education

5. You have a level of education which corresponds to completed university studies attested by a diploma when the normal period of university education is four years or more,

or

3 Appointment of a candidate from countries associated with the implementation, application and development of the Schengen acquis and with Dublin- and Eurodac-related measures is subject to the conclusion of the arrangements defined in article 42 of the eu-LISA regulation. 4 Prior to an appointment, the successful candidate will be asked to provide a certificate of absence of any criminal record issued by the competent authority. 5 Prior to an appointment, the successful candidate shall be medically examined by a selected medical service in order that the Agency may be satisfied that they fulfil the requirement of Article 82 (3)d of the Conditions of employment of other servants of the European Communities. 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

You have a level of education which corresponds to completed university studies attested by a diploma when the normal period of university education is least three years or more and appropriate professional experience of at least one year .Only qualifications awarded in an EU Member State or that are subject to an equivalence certificate issued by an authority in a said EU Member State shall be taken into consideration.

Professional experience

6. You have at least twelve (12) years of proven full-time professional experience relevant to the duties after the award of the qualification certifying the completion of studies required as a condition of eligibility as above.

Language

7. You have a thorough knowledge (C1 level) of one of the 24 EU official languages and a satisfactory knowledge (B2 level) of another EU official language for the performance of your duties.

Selection criteria

eu-LISA aims to establish a reserve list from which to source the best talent. The suitability of candidates will be assessed during different stages of the selection procedure against the following criteria:

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; 5

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.

9. Strong drafting and communication skills in English, both orally and in writing, at least at the C1 6 level.

Advantageous

10. Professional experience at an International Organisation or EU Institution or body; 11. Experience with IT and/or cybersecurity audit. 6 Cf. Language levels of the Common European Framework of reference: http://europass.cedefop.europa.eu/en/resources/european-language-levels-cefr 6

www.eulisa.europa.eu What we offer Competitive salary package composed of a basic salary and various allowances :

 eu-LISA offers a competitive salary package. To begin with, the salary is determined by the grade for which you have applied. In addition, your future salary is based on the total number of years of professional experience and adjusted to the cost of living in your place of employment.

 Depending on your individual and family situation, you may be eligible for various allowances such as expatriation, installation and household allowance, dependent child, or education allowance, ensuring your financial comfort. It is important to note that salaries are exempt from national taxation, as they are subject to a tax raised by the EU.

Additional benefits : Your health and safety are our priority. We offer a wide range of additional benefits such as health insurance, including sickness and accident insurance, hospitalisation, dental care, and preventive medicine coverage. If you desire, your family members can be covered as well. In addition, we provide a generous EU pension scheme (defined benefit plan) that becomes available after completing 10 years of service within EU Institutions/Agencies or upon reaching the pensionable age from the EU pension scheme, to which both the Agency and you make monthly contributions.

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.