Compliance Coordinator at Concern Worldwide

Main Duties and Responsibilities

To ensure that there is sound financial systems, controls by:

• Testing internal controls, targeting particular high-risk areas (e.g. payment, cash voucher and procurement processes), documenting any weaknesses and making recommendations to address these weaknesses.
• Liaising with relevant staff to proactively ensure issues identified during the transaction testing are rectified. The Compliance Coordinator will be responsible for following up with relevant management on changes implemented to address issues identified
• Communicating and educating staff on compliance requirements and necessary practices for compliance to Concern and donors’ policies and requirements.
• Act as audit coordinator for donor audits which requires attendance at opening/closing audit meetings, coordinating staff members, reviewing the completeness of selected documents prior to submitting to auditors and responding to donor audit reports
• Maintaining a log of actions required from various audits/reviews and working closely with departments/partners to ensure that any issues identified are properly understood, improvement commitments are made and that their implementation is monitored.
• Attend Project Management Meetings held at the various stages of a project/grant (Opening, Interim and Closing) to ensure relevant compliance issues are discussed and understood.
• Support Grant Owners with their review of new donor agreements to ensure the main compliance requirements are identified.
• Periodically review grant files maintained on Concern’s Grant Management System (and in hard copy as required) to ensure that all relevant documents are filed and easily accessible.
• Liaise with other INGOs and networks and other relevant stakeholders for effective coordination and implementation of compliance issues.
• Occasionally attend key activities (e.g. tendering, large recruitments) as an observer.

Support partners in their donor compliance obligations (Local Partner Development & Support) by;

• Review partner assessment reports to identify capacity gaps and liaise with relevant staff to develop and execute an action plan in a timely manner.
• Visiting partners’ offices to conduct compliance testing and organize donor compliance training for Concern partners to address compliance gaps identified during testing.
• Making recommendations to the Country Management Team on compliance issues of Concern’s partners, with special focus on the key areas that require management attention for immediate improvement (findings rated as high risk).

Other Duties

• In conjunction with the respective CMT, considering what other training should be scheduled for staff and implementing partner staff. Liaising with Concern HQ to support these training needs. When requested by the senior management, assist in preliminary investigations of alleged frauds, mismanagement, loss of assets or any other investigation to a maximum of two fraud investigations per year.
• Undertake any other appropriate tasks that may be requested from time to time by your line manager.
• Participate and occasionally present on key compliance areas identified in the Global Concern Compliance Network held every two months.

Person Specification

Minimum Education, Qualifications & Experience Required:

• Qualified Accountants (ACCA/CPA or equivalent)
• A degree in Commerce, Finance, Accounting or related field
• At least ten (10) years’ experience working in a finance/accounting/audit role.
• At least three (3) years internal or donor auditing experience.
• Knowledge of donors financial policies and procedures.
• INGO work experience would be advantageous, preferably in a finance or compliance position, with particular experience of institutional donors such as Irish Aid, EU, ECHO, FCDO, USAID
• Experience in developing and delivering training workshops and materials.
• Prior working experience in Somalia and context knowledge would be an advantage.
• Good communication and coordination skills; Fluent in spoken and written English
• Advance knowledge and experience of using Excel is MUST

Desirables & Special Skills:

• Ability to instruct and enforce adherence to rules and regulations
• Ability to organize and prioritize workload
• Good team player and capable of working with multicultural team.
• Ability to cope with stress; work under pressure often to strict deadlines.
• Facilitation and interpersonal skills.
• Alertness and vigilance to potential breaches in compliance