Risk and Compliance Officer at Kenya Red Cross Society

Overall Purpose

• The position is a part of the Enterprise Risk Management initiative, increasing investment in and attention to risk management, compliance and oversight to better identify, mitigate and respond to important risks in operations. The aim is to achieve a more risk-informed management of the Society by reinforcing the continuum between risk identification, root-cause analysis, implementation of risk mitigation measures and response to risks and enhancing risk monitoring and reporting.
• Reporting to the Risk and Compliance Manager, the incumbent will support program and operational Managers as well as Risk Champions in effective risk management and compliance thereby improving risk culture and integrity in the Society.
• Your primary focus will be on identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks associated with grant-funded activities, as well as overseeing compliance with funding agency regulations and reporting obligations. You will work closely with project teams, grant managers, and other stakeholders to develop and implement risk management strategies and compliance protocols to safeguard the organization's interests and ensure the successful execution of grant objectives. The role responsibilities entail coordination activities at both sub-recipient (SR) and principal recipient (PR) level, and involves significant amounts of travel across the Country (up to 75%).
• The incumbent will support the PR and SR teams and help build their capacity to ensure uniformity of approach, identify and address systemic root causes requiring a Society-level response, and the sharing of best-practice.

Duties and Responsibilities
Risk Management

• Conduct comprehensive assessments for risks (threats and opportunities) associated with grant-funded projects for both PR and SR.
• Provide support on risk management approaches, tools and compliance issues to management and staff.
• Support the integration of risk management in operational planning and decision-making processes.
• Support the design and implementation of risk mitigation actions as appropriate.
• Contribute to improving procedures that integrate risk management and compliance within the Society.
• Assist in the coordination and the follow-up on the assurance providers’ recommendations (internal and external audits, inspections, evaluations, due diligence reviews as well as internal compliance monitoring/coordination review assignment), and take appropriate action with the respective focal points to address any problems or difficulties arising from monitoring of the process.
• Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of risk mitigation measures and adjust strategies as necessary.
• Contribute to inter-agency forums and discussions related to risk management and compliance.
• Prepare/contribute relevant inputs to reports and analysis as requested.

Compliance Oversight:

• Interpret and ensure compliance with grant agreements, funding agency regulations, and relevant laws and policies.
• Establish and maintain compliance protocols and procedures for grant implementation, monitoring, and reporting.
• Provide guidance and training to project teams and grant staff on compliance requirements and best practices.
• Follow up on non-compliance issues, root causes and coordinate closure of all non-compliance issues across the grant.

Continuous Improvement

• Support the coordination and delivery of relevant trainings, workshops and other capacity building initiatives relevant to risk management and compliance internally and with partners.
  • Stay abreast of changes in grant regulations, compliance standards, and best practices in risk management.
  • Recommend enhancements to policies, procedures, and systems to strengthen risk management and compliance frameworks.
  • Participate in organizational initiatives to improve grant management processes and enhance overall efficiency and effectiveness.
  • Coordinate and support capacity building activities across the SR and PR

Minimum Qualifications

• Relevant university degree or equivalent qualification in finance or accounting
• Accounting qualifications such as CPA, ACCA or equivalent
• Minimum of 2 years relevant professional work experience.

Knowledge, skills and languages

• Skills in computers( Windows, spreadsheets, word- processing, and accounting packages.
• Bachelor’s Degree in Risk Management; Strategic Management; Business Administration; Commerce; Economics; or another relevant field
• 3 years’ relevant experience in developing, reviewing and implementing Enterprise Risk Management Frameworks, training and capacity building on risk and compliance.
• Specific learning/training in the fields of Enterprise Risk Management and programme management, knowledge of and working experience with Enterprise Risk Management frameworks.
• It is essential to have strong analytical and problem-solving skills, team-work abilities, report writing, communication, presentation, project management and training/facilitation skills.
• Previous experience in grants management, compliance, risk management, or a similar role, preferably in the nonprofit sector.
• Knowledge of grant funding regulations and compliance requirements from government agencies, foundations, and other funding sources.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to assess risks, identify trends, and develop data-driven insights.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders.
• Detail-oriented and organized, with the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously
• In addition, advanced computer skills, interpersonal and negotiation skills, demonstrated high level of integrity, objectivity, impartiality and fairness are key to perform the job successfully.