Risk, Governance and Compliance Manager at Save the Children

ROLE PURPOSE: 

• Reporting directly to the Country Director, the Risk, Governance, and Compliance Manager (RGCM) is responsible for leading the strategic oversight and implementation of risk management, governance frameworks, and compliance systems across the Kenya and Madagascar Country Office. The RGCM ensures that Save the Children International (SCI) operates within a robust control environment, adheres to internal and external regulations, and maintains high standards of accountability, transparency, and ethical  conduct.
• This role provides expert guidance and leadership in identifying, assessing, and mitigating internal and external risks, ensuring compliance with SCI policies, donor requirements, and local laws, and supporting in local governance management and structure. The RGCM also plays a key role in strengthening governance structures, supporting internal audits, and promoting a culture of integrity and continuous improvement. 

Risk Management Leadership:

• Participate in all SMT meetings and support in note taking, compliance assurance, and action  tracker management. 
• Lead the development, implementation, and monitoring of the Country Office Risk Management 
• Plan and other relevant risk mitigation strategies and SOPs.
• Advise the Country Director and Senior Management Team (SMT) on emerging risks internally  and externally and mitigation strategies.
• Facilitate regular risk assessments and ensure integration of risk management into strategic and  operational planning.
• Liaise with relevant colleagues at the Global Team to align country-level risk practices with global  standards and to fully meet all compliance and risk management requirements.
• Promote a proactive risk culture across all departments and field offices.

Governance Oversight:

• Strengthen governance structures and ensure effective oversight mechanisms are in place.
• Support SMT and Local Board governance processes, including risk reporting, compliance  dashboards, Board meetings and compliance processes, and internal control reviews.
• Ensure alignment of country office governance practices with SCI global policies and donor  expectations.
• Champion ethical leadership and decision-making across the organisation. 

Compliance and Internal Controls:

• Design and implement a comprehensive compliance framework covering SCI policies, donor  regulations, and local legal requirements.
• Lead internal reviews and audits of mission-critical business areas, producing high-quality,  solution-focused reports.
• Monitor compliance across departments and provide capacity-building support to ensure  adherence.
• Coordinate external and internal audit processes, ensuring timely resolution of audit findings.
• Lead and provide oversight on investigation processes and fraud risk mitigation.

Ethical Standards and Organizational Integrity:

• Champion a culture of ethical leadership, integrity, and accountability across all levels of the Country Programme.
• Ensure full implementation of SCI’s Code of Conduct and related ethical policies, including anti fraud, anti-corruption, and whistleblower protection.
• Lead the development and delivery of training and awareness sessions on ethical behavior,  professional conduct, and organizational values.
• Monitor adherence to ethical standards and report concerns or violations through appropriate  channels, ensuring confidentiality and protection from retaliation.
• Promote transparency, fairness, and respect in all internal and external interactions, including with  partners, vendors, and beneficiaries.
• Collaborate with HR and other departments to embed ethical standards into our ways of working  and disciplinary processes.

Partnership and External Engagement:

• Maintain strategic relationships with local authorities and regulatory bodies that govern I/NGOs  and the work of I/NGOs as well as and peer organisations.
• Monitor the external regulatory environment and advise on implications for SCI operations.
• Participate in partner assessments and monitor compliance and risk in partner relationships. 

SKILLS AND BEHAVIOURS (our Values in Practice)

Accountability:

• Holds self-accountability 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.
• Promotes transparency and responsible stewardship of resources.

Ambition:

• Sets ambitious and challenging goals for themselves (and their team), takes responsibility for their  own personal development and encourages others to do the same
• Widely shares their personal vision for Save the Children, engages and motivates others Future orientated, thinks strategically
• Thinks strategically and inspires others to achieve shared goals.

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 solutions
• Willing to take disciplined risks
• Adapts to changing environments with agility. 

Integrity:

• Honest, encourages openness and transparency
• Promotes a culture of openness, trust, and integrity.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• Relevant professional qualifications (CPA/CA/ACCA) – prefered but not mandatory
• Minimum 7 years of relevant experience, with a minimum of 3 years spent working at NGO 
• Experience in fraud awareness and case investigation management
• An unquestionably high level of integrity and ethics
• Computer fluency; highly competent using MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint and experience working in  complex financial systems 
• Understanding of strategic finance issues with strong influencing skills, sharp business acumen and  sound judgment
• Experience of working effectively, independently and with minimal supervision
• Strong relationship builder with a proven track record in forming good business partnerships and  utilising collaborative approaches 
• Excellent communication skills, initiative, the ability to meet tight deadlines and work independently is  essential
• Strong analytical, problem-solving skills. 
• Available to travel frequently to all operational locations.
• Fluent in written and spoken English and Swahili 

Desirable

• Experience with Save the Children award management and financial systems (AMS and Agresso) 
• Experience in audit management
• Sound understanding of critical SCI policies