Senior Internal Auditor

About SVAX

SVAX is a biopharmaceutical company specializing in biologics and biosimilars, based in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The company is developing a fully integrated biopharmaceutical platform encompassing R&D, regulatory affairs, clinical development, and commercial-scale manufacturing. In alignment with Saudi Vision 2030 and the National Biotech Strategy, SVAX is expanding its organizational infrastructure to meet the governance, risk, and compliance expectations of institutional investors, strategic partners, and regulatory authorities as its commercial operations grow.

The Role of Senior Internal Auditor

SVAX is establishing an Internal Audit function and is seeking a Senior Internal Auditor for this newly created, full-time position. This role will report functionally to the Board of Directors and administratively to the Chief Operating Officer. It is a foundational position responsible for designing and operationalizing SVAX's internal audit charter, methodology, and annual audit plan from inception. This role is suited for a growth-stage biotech company scaling towards GMP manufacturing, clinical trial execution, and institutional/strategic investment, including equity partners, joint ventures, and licensing agreements. The position is based in Makkah, specifically in Jeddah or Makkah.

Key Responsibilities

• Draft and formalize the Internal Audit Charter, methodology, and risk-based annual audit plan for Board Audit Committee approval.
• Establish internal audit policies, procedures, and reporting templates consistent with the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) International Professional Practices Framework (IPPF).
• Align the function with the CMA's Corporate Governance Regulations and applicable Ministry of Commerce requirements for joint-stock/closed companies.
• Build a company-wide risk register/risk universe covering financial, operational, regulatory, clinical, manufacturing, and third-party/vendor risk.
• Plan and execute financial control audits to safeguard assets and ensure the integrity of financial reporting.
• Evaluate the design and operating effectiveness of internal controls over financial reporting, in line with SOCPA standards.
• Conduct operational audits across procurement, contracting, and business development activities.
• Partner with Quality Assurance and Regulatory Affairs to conduct internal audits of GMP, GCP, and GLP compliance, data integrity, and quality management systems (QMS).
• Support inspection-readiness assessments for manufacturing facility licensure, clinical trial conduct, and product registration.
• Monitor closure of Corrective and Preventive Actions (CAPAs) arising from internal audits, regulatory inspections, and quality deviations.
• Contribute to the enterprise risk management (ERM) framework, identifying and escalating emerging risks.
• Support the Procurement Committee, Board, and NRC with independent assurance over governance processes and related-party transactions.
• Lead or coordinate fraud risk assessments and internal investigations, in coordination with Nazaha reporting obligations where applicable.
• Audit CDMO/CMO relationships, licensing partners, and critical suppliers for contractual, quality, and financial compliance.
• Prepare clear, risk-prioritized audit reports and present findings to the Audit Committee, CEO, and COO.
• Liaise with external auditors to align scope, avoid duplication, and support statutory audit and due diligence processes.

Qualifications and Experience

• 5-10 years of experience in internal audit, preferably within the biopharmaceutical sector or a related regulated industry.
• Demonstrated experience in traditional internal audit rigor, including financial controls, corporate governance, and risk management.
• Sector-specific fluency in GxP quality systems, clinical and regulatory compliance, and the operational realities of a startup biopharma organization.
• Ability to design and operationalize internal audit functions from the ground up.

Work Environment and Travel

This full-time position is based in Makkah, with options in Jeddah or Makkah. Occasional travel to manufacturing/clinical sites and partner locations may be required.

Application Process

Candidates who meet the qualifications are invited to apply for this role to contribute to SVAX's growth and compliance framework.