Risk and Compliance Manager, Head Office (National Position)

The African Initiatives for Relief and Development (AIRD) is a non-political, non-religious and non-profit making NGO with Country Program Offices in Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Liberia, Niger, Republic of Congo, Tanzania, and Uganda. AIRD’s objective is to offer operational support, including but not limited to: supply chain, logistics, construction, infrastructure, environment, livelihoods and WASH in partnership with relief and development organizations that focus on disaster-affected and development oriented areas. AIRD delivers for and through partners including but not limited to UN Agencies, international and national donor organizations and governments.

AIRD seeks to recruit a Risk and Compliance Manager, Head Office

Job summary

The Risk and Compliance Manager will be expected to work and engage with a broad spectrum of country-level offices, to provide risk management expertise in a wide range of areas. The Risk and Compliance Manager will develop, analyze and implement systems, processes and controls that enhance agency operational efficiency and promote competitiveness across operational areas. His/her knowledge and guidance will reduce risk to staff, to the effectiveness of our programming and to the people we serve through the application of the principles of stewardship, integrity, transparency, and accountability

Key Responsibilities

1. General Duties

• Review and appraise the soundness, effectiveness, and proper application of organizational controls, compliance procedures and timeliness of documentation generation.
• Assess the adequacy and extent of programs designed to safeguard organization assets.
• Compile and issue reports detailing conclusions and providing recommendations for improvements.
• Recommend employee training and modifications to procedures as needed.
• Serves as liaison for all external audit and regulatory agencies

2. Specific tasks

• Risk Management: Anticipate and identify risk issues and challenges and the most appropriate solutions to address them. Lead and support country programs to implement these solutions;
• In collaboration with the country management teams, programming, and/or operation leads, design and facilitate relevant risk training sessions and contribute to relevant components of institutional capacity strengthening plans for AIRD and partners;
• Compliance Procedures: review existing accounting and financial controls and other legal compliance processes in place and make any necessary revisions or additions;
• Work with HR, to update policy manuals and other documentation to ensure immediate compliance by all staff involved;
• Audits and reviews: In collaboration with Country management teams, plan and perform internal audits, control reviews, fraud allegation reviews, and compliance assessments. Analyze results and provide recommendations;
• The internal Control Manager will conduct regular internal audits and reviews to assess the compliance of departments and individual employee;
• S/he will test findings from audit exercises, facilitate the remediation of control gaps, and escalate possible critical issues;
• Together with the Finance and Administration Manager, The Risk and Compliance Manager will serve as liaison and support external audits. Coordinate action plans to close out audit findings
• Training and development: Internal Control manager will act as an objective source of guidance and advice for teams;
• The Internal Control Manager will also address specific training and development needs to fill compliance gaps;
• Liaison: The Internal Control Manager will act as go-between for the organization and external government and auditing agencies;
• S/he will also communicate with such external stakeholders with insights into changing regulations, standard compliance practices and other changes that may impact the merit of current internal control policies;
• S/he will review, assist and support in developing operational processes for large grants following donor awards. Ensure full awareness of compliance requirements
• Preparing reports: S/he will analyze and evaluate accounting documents, preparing reports that reflect the audit results and document the proposed process;
• Researching on Emerging Issues: The Internal Control Manager shall research on latest trends and issues in the industry and determine scope of internal control.
• S/he will facilitate and organize trainings and other capacity building activities on matters related to risk management and compliance for AIRD staff
• As required, travel to high-risk country contexts (for example emergency response, new office or new program start up, staff turnover) to provide temporary direct management support and risk / compliance oversight across operational functions

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• A university degree in Business studies, finance, accounting, economics, law, IT, etc.
• At least 5 years of experience in managing internal audit, risk and compliance, or internal control functions.
• Possessing knowledge of audit standards and compliance regulations e.g. The Institute of Internal Audit’s International Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing.
• Holding professional certifications in accounting or audit such as ACCA, CPA, CIA, CFE.
• Proficient in MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, etc.) and information management systems.
• Knowledgeable in data analytics.
• Experience in conducting investigations.
• Strong relationship management skills
• Strong analytical, organizational, and systems thinking skills
• Ability to make sound judgment
• Ethical conduct in accordance with recognized professional and organizational codes of ethics
• Proactive, resourceful and results-oriented

Preferred Qualifications

• A Master’s degree in Accounting, Business Administration or other relevant field.
• Experience working for an NGO in an operational management function
• Knowledge of data analytics techniques and process performance improvement leading practices
• Knowledge of audit standards and compliance regulations e.g. The Institute of Internal Audit’s International Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing
• Knowledge of accounting systems
• Coaching and training abilities.
• Proficient in MS Office package (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Visio) and information management systems.

Required Languages – Strong verbal and written English; knowledge of French is a big plus.

Travel – Must be willing and able to travel up to 50%.

Key Working Relationships

Internal: Head Office Finance team; country program operations, Finance and Administration staff; Head Office departments including HR, Operations.