Compliance Officer Job at AMREF

Reporting to the Internal Audit Manager, the incumbent will provide technical support in ensuring that the operations of AMREF’s HQ, country and field offices are in compliance with donors’ regulations, statutory requirements and AMREF internal policies and procedures.

Key Responsibilities

Internal Controls Evaluation

• Assessing the effectiveness of internal controls, accuracy of financial records/reports to donors and efficiency of organizational operations using professional audit standards and practices.
• Assessing the effectiveness of programme monitoring in place both at country office and at programme level.
• Documenting, evaluating and testing systems and controls to determine their adequacy and effectiveness to ensure
  • Compliance with policies and procedures
  • Accomplishment of management’s objectives
  • Reliability and integrity of information
  • Economic use of resources
  • Safeguarding assets.
• Analyzing data obtained for evidence of deficiencies in internal controls, duplication of effort, extravagance, fraud, and non-compliance with country laws, government regulations, and management policies or procedures.
• Inspecting systems to determine their efficiency and protective value in the recording and management of organization resources.
• Carrying out reviews to identify discrepancies of information and/or documentation for the purpose of reaching resolution, ensuring accuracy of data and complying with established procedures.

Technical Support    

• Strengthening field-based internal control environment and risk management through financial monitoring and oversight of field staff.
• Assist in carrying out audits of compliance related areas.
• Perform audits of programmes and projects from planning through to report issuance.
• Issue pre-audit announcement letters, gather pre-audit documentation, perform programme-specific risk assessment, develop audit program, conduct audit tests, develop draft reports reflecting results of testing, engage management in discussion of findings and obtain management action plan, and finalize report for review.
• Conducting special reviews and investigations.
• Conducting compliance reviews of organisation records to ensure compliance with statutory requirements , donors’ regulations and AMREF’s policies & procedures.
• Follow-up of management actions of internal audits and other compliance review exercises.
• Performing work as part of investigation of allegations of fraud, waste or abuse in AMREF projects and operations.
• Establishing and ensuring management of a risk-register in each country that is regularly updated.
• Developing and discussing findings; coming to agreement on recommendations and timelines for corrective actions with responsible officers of operations audited and monitoring the implementation status of agreed recommendations.

Inventory Management

• Verifying organisation assets against the asset register and their effective and efficient utilisation.

Reporting

• Preparing compliance/audit reports based on findings.
• Developing periodic reporting on status of implementation of audit/compliance recommendations.

Information Management

• Maintaining database of communications and evidence regarding follow-up activities and actions.

Required Qualifications

Education and knowledge

• Bachelors degree in a relevant field.
• Certified with relevant professional body; CPA, CIA or compliance certification is an added advantage.
• Ability to work with diverse groups including a variety of personality types.
• Ability to review and analyze financial records, financial reports and statements.
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.

Experience

• At least 3 years in compliance and or auditing preferably in NGO grant contract management.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships.
• Sensitivity in culturally diverse environments.

Skills

• Auditing Skills.
• Project management skills.
• Problem solving skills.
• Excellent communications skills.
• Resourcefulness.
• Good interpersonal skills.
• Proficiency in ICT.
• Detail oriented.
• Multi-tasking.

Competences

• Analytical, strategic.
• High Integrity/ethics, commitment and respect for diversity.
• Confidentiality.
• Mature.
• Meeting deadlines and schedules.
• Prioritization.
• Conceptual thinking.

Mental Competencies

Problem Analysis
The job demands analyzing issues and creating action plans.  Problem solving with data frequently requires independent interpretation of guidelines.

Flexible Thinking
The job requires flexibility to work with others in a wide variety of circumstances.

Decision Making
The job requires ability to make timely and well-considered people management and programme implementation decisions and is accountable for them.
 

Communications

The job demands a high level of oral and written communication skills in order to effectively communicate with other staff members, country teams and external parties.
 

Environmental Conditions

Corporate Policies, Systems, Procedures and Methods
The job requires a comprehensive knowledge of principles of accounting and Auditing standards, policies, regulations and/or laws governing NGOs  and all AMREF policies and procedures.

Work Environment
Normal office environment with frequent travel.

Hours of Work
Normal working hours. Job holder may be required to work outside normal working hours due to the nature of the work in general.

If you feel that you meet the criteria, complete the Online application form attaching your CV.  We encourage interested candidates to submit their applications by Friday, 03 January 2014.

AMREF is an equal opportunity employer and has a non-smoking environment policy.