Director, Post Clearance Audit

Job Purpose

Under the direct supervision of the Senior Director, Central Operations, the Director, Post Clearance Audit will be responsible:

• To oversee audit-based customs control programmes designed to verify the accuracy and authenticity of declarations/documents used to clear goods after the release of cargo from Customs’ custody:
• To oversee the investigation and prosecution of offences, where necessary.
• To facilitate the speedier movement of legitimate goods and other items in and out of the country by integrating with the Agency-wide risk management system for selective controls at the border and faster clearance of goods.
• To optimise revenue by maximising voluntary compliance and assisting importers/exporters in reducing future errors to ensure that correct duties and taxes are declared and paid on goods and other items imported and exported.
• To create and maintain an effective deterrent against persons committing customs offences, thereby optimising revenue declared and collected and protecting society.    
• To design and manage cargo compliance programmes of post-transactional audits and real-time interventions to support accurate and timely reporting and payment of revenue.
• To direct the authorized economic operator programme designed to facilitate trade, secure the supply chain and increase economic growth and development.
• To direct the achievements of the timely processing of declarations in the Blue and Green Lanes of ASYCUDA by ensuring that items are classified correctly in accordance with the Customs Tariff, the relevant duties and taxes are accounted for, and to ensure that permits/license are in place for goods requiring the same and identifying anomalies leading to further post audit checks.

Key Responsibility Areas

Technical/Professional Responsibilities

• Oversee, direct and guide operations of the Post Clearance Audit Branch to accomplish importer/exporter company-based and transactional audits to ensure compliance with the Customs Act and Regulations, and other related Acts and Regulations by:
  • Signing off on audit programmes to ensure strategic application of intelligence and risk assessment data used in determining which client/importer/exporter business records are to be examined for accuracy, completeness, transparency, and corroboration with Customs data at the time of entry of goods.
• Ensure measures and systems are in place to facilitate the:
  • Verification of the authenticity of transactions and the entire client/importer/exporter operations by comparing various aspects of the business.
  • Evaluation of the effectiveness and consistency of client controls and procedural standards and the credibility of client business.
  • Capacity-building mechanisms based on audit recommendations and client consultation to eliminate future errors and improve compliance with relevant legislation and government policies.
  • Audit reporting on client/importer/exporter to the Agency’s risk management system for future referral by Customs personnel.
  • Swift settlement and collection of additional duties and penalties resulting from assessments or breaches in collaboration with client/importer/exporter and related units within the Agency where necessary.
  • Establishment and maintenance of an internal review and appeals system to address client requests for review of assessment arising from post-clearance audit, with the necessary measures for further referral to the Taxpayer Appeals Division and the Revenue Court; and,
  • Swift referrals of cases to the Investigations Branch where breaches of the Customs Act and suspected fraud have been uncovered as necessary.
• Establish and strengthen links to and liaisons with other government entities and collaborate on strategies related to risk management, compliance measurement, financial management, intelligence, investigation, and human resources to facilitate compliance and, where necessary, the investigation and prosecution of offenders.
• Collaborate with other government agencies to enforce the Acts and Regulations on trade facilitation and commerce.
• Represent the Agency in discussions with other agencies (national, regional, and international) regarding customs administration, international travel, and trade, as required from time to time.
• Liaise with the public, major clients and stakeholders on customs administration, customer service and programme delivery issues.
• Direct the operations of the Authorized Economic Operators (AEO) Unit to facilitate trade, secure the supply chain and increase economic growth and development by granting AEO status to verified businesses.
• Sign-off on the programmes to ensure strategic application of intelligence and risk assessment data used in determining which the client/importer/exporter business records are to be examined for accuracy, completeness, transparency, and corroboration with Customs data.
• Represent the Agency in discussions with other agencies (national, regional and international) relating to the AEO programme as required.
• Liaise with the public, major clients and stakeholders on AEO customer service and programme delivery issues.

Management/Administrative Responsibilities 

• Provide day-to-day leadership and direction in the Branch's development and continual performance improvement and oversee the branch activities and operations 
• Lead strategic planning and review process for the activities of the Intelligence Branch. 
• Guides the staff of the Branch in interpreting the policies and procedures to determine proper courses of action.? 
• Ensures that all required processes, systems, and controls are in place within the Section. 
• Ensures that appropriate communication and knowledge management systems are in place within the Branch and with other internal or external Divisions/Branches. 
• Ensures the staff has the necessary tools and equipment to perform their functions effectively and efficiently.? 
• Build and maintain strong relationships with all internal divisions.  
• Ensures that the Branch work is adequately documented. 
• Establish and maintain a culture that fosters teamwork, employee empowerment and commitment to the Sections and organisations’ goals. 
• Prepares reports and project documents as?required.??? 
• Develops, monitors, and coordinates budget preparation and monitoring and signs off on related requisitions for the Section/Branch. 

Human Resources Responsibilities 

• Monitor and evaluate the performance of direct reports, prepare performance appraisals, and recommend and indicate corrective actions where necessary to improve performance and attain established personal and organisational goals.? 
• Undertake human resource management-related functions, including staff selection, training, and discipline by the Agency’s policies and procedures,?? 
• Participate in staff recruitment for the section and recommend transfers, promotions, terminations, and leave according to established human resource policies and procedures.? 
• Provide leadership and guidance to direct reports through effective planning, delegation, communication, training, monitoring, and coaching.? 
• Ensure the welfare and development needs of skills in the Branch are identified and addressed.? 
• Recommend disciplinary action where necessary concerning direct reports.? 
• Communicate KPIs from the strategic annual plan so that each employee is aware.  

Customer Service Responsibilities 

• Maintains customer service principles, standards, and measurements.? 
• Identifies and incorporates the interests and needs of customers in business process design.??? 

Other Responsibilities? 

• Performs all other duties and functions as may be required occasionally.?? 
• May be required to provide witness statements, attend court proceedings, and give evidence.? 
• Enforces Health & Safety Policies & Procedures and mitigates and minimises
• Policies & Procedures and mitigate and minimise workplace hazards.

Required Skills/Competencies

Core

• Excellent strategic management skills.
• Excellent leadership, interpersonal and people management skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent customer service and interpersonal skills
• Excellent planning, organisation, and time management skills.
• Strong analytical, judgement, decision-making and problem-solving skills
• Keen attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Ability to work in a team environment. 
• Ability to be adaptable, especially under pressure.
• Ability to display high levels of confidentiality, integrity, and professionalism.
• Ability to communicate, interact and work effectively and cooperatively with all people, including those from diverse ethnic and educational backgrounds.
• Excellent negotiating skills
• Strong financial management skills
• High confidentiality, integrity and professionalism
• Ability to communicate, interact and work effectively and cooperatively with all people, including those from diverse ethnic and educational backgrounds.

Technical

• Expert knowledge and understanding of Customs and other tax legislation and their impact on business, trade and economics.
• Expert knowledge and understanding of Customs Operations.
• Sound knowledge and proficiency in applying audit methods, procedures and techniques.
• Sound knowledge and understanding of bookkeeping, accounting, and finance.
• Sound understanding of change management principles, organisational leadership, and individual change development.
• Sound understanding and experience in managing limited resources to achieve challenging output targets.
• Understanding of the fundamentals of financial and general management.
• Understanding the application of information technology solutions to organisational problems and the fundamentals of business processing reengineering.
• Advanced IT skills in the Microsoft Office Suite Applications
• Working knowledge of Customs policies, procedures, and controls.

Minimum Required Education and Experience

• Master’s Degree in Accounting, ACCA Level 3, Business Administration or equivalent qualification with at least six (6) years’ experience at the managerial level.

OR

• Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, ACCA Level 3, Business Administration or equivalent qualification with ten (10) years’ experience at the managerial level.
• Supervisory Management training and experience.
• Experience in applying the Customs Act and related Regulations and legislations.
• Knowledge of the Revenue Administration Act, Tax laws, FAA Act and related tax legislation.
• Specialised knowledge and training in customs administration and operations.
• Specialised knowledge and training in taxation, auditing and risk management techniques.