The Compliance Specialist is reporting to the Risk and Compliance Director. He/she is required to lead/guide the execution of compliance requirements and related internal/external policies and procedures. The role holder is expected to ensure best practices and play an advisory role on compliance issues.

He/she is responsible to ensure that SCI and partner staff are fully compliant with SCI, Donor policies, procedures/requirements as well as Government rules and regulations.

The role will be responsible for performing compliance reviews on SCI and partner operations to ensure adherence to the policy, procedures, and expected requirements. He/she is also responsible to raise awareness on donors, SCI policies & procedures, and relevant local laws and ensuring compliance with those requirements at all SCI and partners’ operations.

The role is based in Addis Ababa but required travel to SCI and partner field sites.  

SCOPE OF ROLE:

Reports to: Risk and Compliance Director  

Role Dimensions: Ethiopia Country Office is a high complexity country, multi-member interest, with an annual budget of around $80m - 90m , and approximately 1500 staff and numerous partners, volunteers. The role of Risk and Compliance is an integrated and critical part of our work in Ethiopia, with the need to ensure Compliance with SCI policies and procedures, donor requirments and local laws for efficient use of resources as well as minimize the organization risks.

Staff directly reporting to this post:  None

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY :

Compliance Reviews and Strengthening Internal Controls

• Promotes and encourages a culture of compliance throughout Save the Children and its partners.

•   In coordination with the Risk and Compliance Director, assess the compliance risks of SCI and the partner office and prepare a work plan, which determines the scope, sample size, timing, and frequency of compliance reviews for SCI and implementing partners.

•  Conducts compliance reviews according to the agreed work plan. Develop checklists, tools, and guidelines for this purpose.

  • Obtain, analyse and evaluate accounting documentation, previous reports, data, flowcharts etc. and assist the management in effectively identifying, documenting, and mitigating compliance risks associated with operational activities.

  • Conduct compliance spot-checks for SCI high-risk Awards and present/discuss the major findings during the AIR review meeting for corrective actions or possible improvments.

  • Conduct regular compliance reviews and monitoring visits to partner based on the risk rating priorities to ensure partners are in conformity with the terms and conditions of the contract agreement.

  •   Prepares and timely submits compliance reports with observations and recommendations for technical review to his/her immediate supervisor. Prepare and present reports that reflect the compliance spot check results and document process.

  • Prepare summary reports for SLT review with emphasis on major findings/non-compliances.

  • Provides advisory services to the management on improvements and engage with other departments to support improvements in internal controls.

  • Follow up with partners with respect to areas of improvement identified during the compliance reviews and work closely with the partners in closing the issues.

  • Support the partners in the establishment of internal control systems as per the need.

  • Address compliance quaries deom SCI and partner staff during program implmetnaion.

  • Conduct a follow-up compliance reviews to ensure all agreed recommendations are timely implemented.

  • Report any potential or actuaul fraudulent activity to the management team for next steps.

  Create awareness on SCI, Donor policies and procedures/requirements, and Country relevant laws: 

  • Promote a culture of knowledge on SCI policy and procedures, major donor requirements, and relevant local laws. 

  • Conduct a training need assessment and develop a training plan.

  •  Provide training on SCI policies and procedures, major donor requirements, and relevant local laws to SCI and partner staff.  

  • Assess and identify relevant donor rules and regulation training opportunities and communicate with SCI staff and partners. 

  •   Keep the organization up to date on significant developments/changes in the major donor’s requirements and country laws.

  • Engage to continuous knowledge development regarding sector’s rules, regulations, best practices, tools, techniques and performance standards. 

  Risk Mitigation/Management 

  •  Support the partners to develop their organization Risk Management Plans. Provide appropriate training, if required.

  •   Provide expert support and advice to the partners on their organization risk identification and assessment processes. 

  • Regularly assess potential risks related to the partners and provide input to the management to be included in SCI country office the risk management plan.

    • Analyze all success factors and risks facing the organization, report them to management and provide recommendations for improvement to the partners.

    Incident response/investigation (fraud/multifaceted)  

    • In collaboration with the Risk and Compliance Director conduct investigations related to partners (whistleblower cases, suspected fraud, mismanagement, loss of assets, etc.)

    • Prepare reports and other materials to communicate the results of investigations, including control deficiencies or weaknesses, fraud matters, root causes, and recommendations, to the management.

    •  Assist in providing training and expert support to staff/partners on fraud prevention, and internal control/ mitigations. 

    • Support the development of various fraud awareness communications to partners.

    • Work closely with SCI and Partner staff to understand and identify the existing and emerging fraud risks.

    Action Tracking and Assurance:

    • Maintain and track compliance review findings to ensure actions are being taken as per the recommendations.

    • Assist and conduct compliance spot-check as part of as part of the annual letter of assurance process.

    • Share the lessons learned from ongoing and previous compliance spot checks.

    • Keep the supervisor informed of any initiative or difficulties relating to the job’s responsibilities

    Internal and External Relationships:

    • Support and participate in organizational activities that promote networking and representation of the unit.

    • Maintain good relationships with the internal staff and partners

    • BEHAVIOURS (Values in Practice)

      Accountability:

      •   holds self accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving and role modelling Save the Children values

      • holds the team and partners accountable to deliver on their responsibilities - giving them the freedom to deliver in the best way they see fit, providing the necessary development to improve performance and applying appropriate consequences when results are not achieved.

      Ambition:

      •  sets ambitious and challenging goals for themselves and their team, takes responsibility for their own personal development and encourages their team to do the same

      • widely shares their personal vision for Save the Children, engages and motivates others

      •   future orientated, thinks strategically and on a global scale.

      Collaboration:

      •  builds and maintains effective relationships, with their team, colleagues, Members and external partners and supporters

      •   values diversity, sees it as a source of competitive strength

      • approachable, good listener, easy to talk to.

      Creativity:

      •  develops and encourages new and innovative solution

      •   willing to take disciplined risks.

      • Integrity:

         honest, encourages openness and transparency; demonstrates highest levels of integrity

Job Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS 

•  BA Degree in Accounting or related field with preferred additional professional certification.

• Proven cross-cultural sensitivity and flexibility required.

• Excellent knowledge of computer systems; proficient in MS Excel, Ms Word, Outlook; familiar with accounting software; strong ability to present, analyse and process numerical information and financial and statistical data.

• EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

  Essential

  • A minimum of 8 years of experience in risk management, compliance, and/or audit and investigation required

  • ACCA, CPA is added advantage.

  • NGO experience is an added advantage.

  • Excellent English communication skills (oral and written) with ability to express ideas and concepts clearly and persuasively .

  • Ability to provide support and training to staff and partners on donor requirements

  • Ability to capture and respond favourably to suggestions for change and improvement

  • Ability to create and maintain a high level of effective output; capacity to work hard and remain focused within expected standards of performance with minimal supervision.

  • Strong organisational and self-management skills with an ability to lead and work in teams and motivate others.

  • Highly developed cultural awareness and ability to work well in an international environment with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures. 

  • Excellent interpersonal skills, with experience in managing multicultural teams.

  • Experience in training, coaching, capacity-building and supporting the development of a team, including supporting junior members of staff to deliver high-quality output.

  • Experience and skills to priorities and create an audit work plan, and conduct investigations.

  • The ability to understand and break down complex technical problems, both translating them into layperson’s terms as well as finding solutions.

  • Willingness to travel to field sites on a regular basis and work in challenging environments.

  •   Commitment to Save the Children values

   Desirable

  •   A strong understanding of donor and government rules and regulations/ requirements.

  •   High attention to detail and excellent analytical skills

  • Sound independent judgement

  • Experience working for an international humanitarian organization in Ethiopia.   

  • Understanding of the issues concerning the INGO sector with an in-depth knowledge of donor requirements and local laws. 

  •  Strong results orientation.

  • Strong Time Management Skills

  • Detail-oriented, with a high degree of ethics, integrity, discretion, and professionalism;

  • Ability to handle sensitive matters on a confidential basis

  • Proven ability to gather, analyze and evaluate facts, define problems, draw valid conclusions and prepare and present concise written reports in English & Problem-solving skills.

    KEY COMPETENCIES

    Generic Competencies

    ·      Child Rights: Promotes an enabling environment for participation, and accountability to children

    ·      Be the Innovator: Promotes innovation to find new and better approaches to driving progress for children

    Deliver Results at Scale: Promotes a clear focus on impact in a project and programme design, management, and oversight

    Generic Competencies

    • Being the Voice of Children: Promotes evidence-based policy and public engagement that includes the voices of children and their communities

    • Advancing Equality & Inclusion: Displays a commitment to ensuring everything we do considers the most deprived and marginalised children and adolescent

    • Building & Strengthening Partnerships: Promotes working with diverse partners as critical to delivery

    Child Rights: Promotes the rights of children in own work and in work with colleagues and peers,

    Additional job responsibilities

    The duties and responsibilities as set out above are not exhaustive and the role holder may be required to carry out additional duties within reasonableness of their level of skills and experience

    Equal Opportunities

    The role holder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with SCI’s global Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Gender Equality Policies, supported by relevant procedures.

    Child Safeguarding:

    We need to keep children safe so our selection process, which includes rigorous background checks, reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse.

    Safeguarding our Staff:

    The post holder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with the SCI anti-harassment policy.

    Health and Safety

    The role holder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with SC Health and Safety policies and procedures.

    We offer a competitive package in the context of the sector. The duty station of the position holder will be in Addis Ababa This role is offered on the basis of national terms and conditions only.

    The Organization
    We employ approximately 25,000 people across the globe and work on the ground in over 100 countries to help children affected by crises, or those that need better healthcare, education and child protection. We also campaign and advocate at the highest levels to realize the right of children and to ensure their voices are heard.
    
    We are working towards three breakthroughs in how the world treats children by 2030:
    • No child dies from preventable causes before their 5th birthday
    • All children learn from a quality basic education and that,
    • Violence against children is no longer tolerated
    
    We know that great people make a great organization, and that our employees play a crucial role in helping us achieve our ambitions for children. We value our people and offer a meaningful and rewarding career, along with a collaborative and inclusive environment where ambition, creativity, and integrity are highly valued.

How to Apply

Register using THIS LINK

NB: Please attach a copy of your CV and cover letter with your application, and include details of your current remuneration and salary expectations. A copy of the full role profile can be found at THIS LINK

We need to keep children safe so our selection process, which includes rigorous background checks, reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse.

All employees are expected to carry out their duties in accordance with our global anti-harassment policy.