ISO Lead Auditor & Certification Manager

<p><strong>About AKW Consultants</strong></p><p><br></p><p>AKW Consultants is a specialist advisory firm providing consulting, assurance and technical advisory services in governance, risk, compliance, responsible sourcing, ESG, sustainability and integrated management systems.</p><p><br></p><p>Our clients include governments, multinational corporations, mining companies, precious metals refiners, manufacturers, financial institutions and international organisations across the Middle East, Africa, Europe and Asia.</p><p><br></p><p>As part of our strategic growth, AKW is establishing an internationally accredited management systems certification business. We are seeking an experienced Technical Manager who will play a leading role in developing our certification capability, obtaining ISO/IEC 17021 accreditation, and delivering world-class certification services.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>The Opportunity</strong></p><p><br></p><p>This is a unique opportunity to join AKW Consultants at an exciting stage of growth.</p><p><br></p><p>The successful candidate will lead the establishment of AKW’s certification business while also managing third-party certification audits, developing certification schemes, mentoring auditors and ensuring compliance with international accreditation requirements.</p><p><br></p><p>This role requires an experienced certification professional with a strong understanding of ISO management systems, accreditation requirements and conformity assessment principles.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Key Responsibilities</strong></p><p><br></p><p><strong>Certification Body Development</strong></p><p><br></p><ul><li>Lead the establishment of AKW’s accredited Management Systems Certification Body.</li><li>Develop and implement the management system required for accreditation under ISO/IEC 17021.</li><li>Prepare AKW for accreditation by the relevant Accreditation Body.</li><li>Develop certification policies, procedures, manuals, work instructions, templates and operational documentation.</li><li>Establish certification governance, including impartiality arrangements, certification decision-making processes, appeals, complaints, document control and certification records.</li><li>Develop auditor competence criteria, qualification requirements and witness audit programmes.</li><li>Design certification schemes and audit methodologies for ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001.</li><li>Liaise with accreditation bodies throughout the accreditation process.</li><li>Support accreditation assessments and witness audits.</li><li>Ensure the ongoing effectiveness and continual improvement of the certification management system.</li></ul><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><strong>Audit &amp; Assurance</strong></p><p><br></p><ul><li>Lead third-party certification audits against ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001.</li><li>Conduct integrated management system gap assessments and readiness reviews.</li><li>Evaluate organisational governance, operational processes and management systems. </li><li>Identify non-conformities, root causes and opportunities for continual improvement.</li><li>Review quality, environmental and occupational health and safety management systems.</li><li>Prepare high-quality audit reports, executive summaries and certification recommendations.</li><li>Support clients in implementing corrective actions and preparing for certification.</li><li>Deliver internal auditor and lead auditor training programmes.</li><li>Mentor junior auditors and technical personnel.</li></ul><p><br></p><p><strong>Technical Leadership</strong></p><p><br></p><ul><li>Monitor developments in ISO standards, accreditation requirements and international best practices.</li><li>Provide technical guidance to audit teams and certification decision-makers.</li><li>Support the expansion of AKW’s certification portfolio into additional ISO standards.</li><li>Maintain technical competence across certification activities.</li><li>Promote a culture of impartiality, technical excellence and continual improvement.</li></ul><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><strong>Essential Qualifications</strong></p><p><br></p><ul><li>Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Environmental Science, Occupational Health &amp; Safety, Quality Management, Science, Business or a related discipline.</li><li>Certified Lead Auditor for:</li></ul><p> * ISO 9001</p><p> * ISO 14001</p><p> * ISO 45001</p><ul><li>Minimum 3 years of professional experience in management systems auditing or certification.</li><li>Experience conducting third-party certification audits.</li></ul><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><strong>Essential Experience</strong></p><p><br></p><p>The successful candidate should demonstrate experience in:</p><p><br></p><ul><li>Developing and implementing Integrated Management Systems.</li><li>Third-party certification auditing.</li><li>Certification decision-making processes.</li><li>Managing audit programmes.</li><li>Auditor competence management.</li><li>Technical review of audit reports.</li><li>Preparing organisations for certification.</li><li>Leading audit teams.</li><li>Client engagement and technical advisory.</li></ul><p><br></p><p><strong>Highly Desirable Experience</strong></p><p><br></p><p>Candidates with one or more of the following will be strongly preferred:</p><p><br></p><ul><li>Previous experience working within an accredited Certification Body.</li><li>Practical experience implementing ISO/IEC 17021.</li><li>Experience establishing or managing a Certification Body.</li><li>Experience preparing organisations for accreditation.</li><li>Experience participating in Accreditation Body assessments or witness audits.</li><li>Experience acting as Technical Manager, Certification Manager or Scheme Manager.</li><li>Experience liaising with Accreditation Bodies such as EIAC, UKAS, IAS, ANAB, JAS-ANZ or equivalent.</li><li>Experience developing certification procedures, technical documentation and competence frameworks.</li></ul><p><br></p><p><strong>Technical Knowledge</strong></p><p><br></p><p>Strong working knowledge of:</p><p><br></p><ul><li>ISO 9001 – Quality Management Systems</li><li>ISO 14001 – Environmental Management Systems</li><li>ISO 45001 – Occupational Health &amp; Safety Management Systems</li><li>ISO 19011 – Guidelines for Auditing Management Systems</li><li>ISO/IEC 17021- Conformity Assessment Requirements for Management Systems Certification Bodies</li><li>Risk-based auditing principles</li><li>Root cause analysis</li><li>Corrective and preventive actions</li><li>Audit planning and reporting</li><li>Management system implementation</li><li>Continual improvement methodologies</li></ul><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><strong>Skills &amp; Competencies</strong></p><p><br></p><p>We are looking for someone who demonstrates:</p><p><br></p><ul><li>Strong technical expertise in management systems certification.</li><li>Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.</li><li>High ethical standards and professional integrity.</li><li>Strong leadership and mentoring capability.</li><li>Excellent report writing and documentation skills.</li><li>Ability to engage confidently with senior executives.</li><li>Strong project management and organisational skills.</li><li>Excellent written and spoken English.</li><li>Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.</li><li>Commitment to impartiality, independence and technical excellence.</li></ul>