Should you wish to become part of the Mentoring Program, please fill in the Mentors / Mentees form and email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

What is Mentoring?

Mentoring is not a new phenomenon - it is an ancient approach to human development. The word mentoring comes from ancient Greek mythology - As Odysseus, a king and hero, set off for the Trojan wars, he was concerned about the fact that he might not return for many years. He chose Mentor, the wise helper and teacher, to guide the development of his son while he was away. The practice of passing know-how from father to son, from wise sage to apprentice is as old as civilisation. In modern times it is no longer practiced as widely as it should be and often a concerted effort is needed to formalise the process in order to ensure that the art of Mentoring is not lost.

Mentoring is the process of the transferral of knowledge and experience from a mentor to a mentee, designed to improve skills, acumen, confidence, personality, performance, and general ability of the mentee. It is assumed that the Mentor will have had proven experience in the business field of the Mentee and the latter committed to the process of learning.


Why Mentoring?

The Institute of Internal Auditors South Africa (IIA SA) has identified a need for Mentoring in the Profession, particularly amongst Internal Audit Executives. The reason for this is that organisations, whether in the Public Sector or the Private Sector, are all faced with serious skill shortages. In addition, organisations are often faced with having to fast track some individuals into senior positions who may be lacking experience in one or more aspects of their jobs. The IIA SA believes that a mentoring program provides a vehicle to the Profession that can assist in alleviating the problem and provide a platform for Progress through Sharing.


Significant Benefits of a Mentoring Program

• Growing Professionals in a systematic manner to ensure high standards and wisdom.

• Sharing of knowledge of experienced Mentors.

• Accelerate Empowerment.

• Improved skills, confidence, and judgement for Mentees.

• Assist organisations to retain talent.


Benefits to mentors

• Opportunity for a Mentor to give back to the Profession and the country, by sharing intellectual capital

• You will gain a sense of satisfaction from giving back to your Profession

• You can develop your own leadership and mentoring skills in the process

• You can extend your networks

• It raises your profile

• It provides you with an opportunity to critically reflect on your own current practice

• It provides an avenue for the recognition of your skills and expertise


Benefits to mentees

• It provides an opportunity to the Mentee to formally identify strengths, weaknesses, gaps, and needs, and to learn from the best

• It broadens your network

• It reduces isolation

• It will increase your self confidence

• It will increase your ability to fulfil your role

• It will assist you in growing self awareness

• It will assist you in clarifying career direction and progressing in career goals

• It will assist in the development of your skills and knowledge


Who will be Eligible as a Mentor?

The mentor's job is to promote intentional learning, which includes capacity building through methods such as instructing, coaching, providing experiences, modelling and advising. Thus a good mentor is:

• A person who wishes to fulfil a higher purpose in life

• An experienced person with sound business acumen

• A mature person who has outstanding interpersonal skills

• A good listener with the ability to communicate effectively

• An achiever

• A person who understands the position and status of the Mentee, and who has extensive experience as a CAE

• A person who has enough capacity to meet with a mentee at least once a month

• A person who is an IIA member in good standing

• Sensitive to the needs of others and generally recognize when others require support, direct assistance, or independence

• Being a CIA or in the CIA program would have obvious advantages

• The mentor should attend the IIA SA induction program before engaging with a mentee


Who will be eligible as a Mentee?

• A person who is an IIA member in good standing

• A person who has recently been promoted to the position of CAE

• A person who needs accelerated growth


What is required to join the progam?

• Be a fully paid-up member of the IIA SA

• Complete the relevant Application Form

• Attend the IIA SA induction (where applicable)


Steps in joining the program

Step one: Complete the application form and return it to the Institute

Step two: The Institute will endeavour to find a suitable mentor/mentee for you out of the applications received

Step three: The mentor and mentee meet, decide whether they want to pursue the relationship further and sign the mentoring agreement

Step four: The mentor files the signed agreement with the Institute

Step five: The mentor and mentee meet in accordance with the agreement

Step six: At the end of the agreement period the mentor and mentee evaluate progress made, give feedback to the Institute and decide whether it is necessary to continue the engagement or terminate

 Should you wish to become part of the Mentoring Program, please fill in the Mentors / Mentees form and email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

About the Institute

The Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA), established in 1941, is the leading non-profit professional body representing the interests of internal auditors worldwide and is the internationally recognised authority, principal educator and acknowledged leader in certification, research and technological guidance for the profession.

The Institute is creator and custodian of the International Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditors, and the Code of Ethics to which all members must adhere. It is dedicated to the education and advancement of internal auditors, and dynamically promotes and develops the profession.

A global institute with headquarters in Florida, USA, the IIA Inc. has a network of affiliates serving members in more than 160 countries in the fields of internal auditing, risk management, governance, internal control, IT audit, education, security and management.

The history of internal auditing has been synonymous with that of The IIA and its motto, "Progress through Sharing."