Senior Compliance Officer at World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF)

Overview

The position is to ensure that CIFOR-ICRAF adheres to all the organizational and donor policies and procedures and local laws, particularly in the implementation of the Restore Africa project in the six countries (Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia) and other project around the world. The incumbent will support institutional ESG compliance for CIFOR-ICRAF. The incumbent will also support risk and compliance related activities for the Restore Africa Program including sub-recipient compliance adhering to CIFOR-ICRAF policies, local laws, and donor regulations to help ensure effective high-quality program delivery.

Duties and responsibilities

Compliance monitoring and management

• Support the design and facilitation of trainings for due diligence plans for Restore Africa staff and partners in consideration of donors’ requirements and partners’ systems and procedures.
• Work closely with HR and Internal Audit to operationalize Restore Africa Grievance, protection and safeguarding policies.
• Assume the role of Restore Africa ESG-I Focal point, lead coordinate and have overall responsibility for ESG-I implementation across the Restore Africa project
• Collaborate with the Restore Africa leadership and Finance and Cooperate services Units (PMU, Legal, Operations, FSU) and Internal Audit Unit on strengthening internal control systems and processes for the Restore Africa program across the six countries.
• Work in close collaboration with the Finance and Cooperate services Units (PMU, Legal, Operations, FSU) and Internal Audit Unit conduct regular internal control reviews to assess the effectiveness of controls in operations and program management systems and processes for the Restore Africa program in accordance with CIFOR-ICRAF Policies and Procedures.
• Support the planning and performance of internal audits, control reviews and compliance assessments,
• Support external and internal audits and the coordination of plans to close out audit findings and recommendations related to the Restore Africa program.
• Support internal investigation of reported potential and alleged incidents of incompliance to donor, and CIFOR-ICRAF policies and procedures including collusion and financial wrongdoing.

​​​​​​​Risk assessment and management

• Updating the project risk register, and lessons learnt log
• Support systems verification and identification of risk issues, weaknesses/ inefficiencies, anomalies, challenges, and propose solutions to address them and improve system integrity.

Compliance Reporting:

• Lead the production and submission of the environmental, social and governance and impact (ESG-I) quarterly reports and other funder due diligence documents.

 Institutional ESG Compliance

• Provide input in CIFOR-ICRAF policies and processes related to ESG compliance.
• Document how lessons learned from the Restore Africa project can be used to improve CIFOR-ICRAF policies and procedures.
• Advise CIFOR-ICRAF management on requirements and new developments related to ESG compliance.
• Lead the production and submission of incidence report in line with funder requirements

Education, knowledge and experience

•  Master’s in business administration, Project management or the equivalent with first degree in Business Administration, Public Administration or other relevant disciplines.
• At least four years of work experience, ideally with an international organization, with progressive responsibility in project management, operations and/or programming.
• Experience in audit, compliance, or risk management
• Knowledge of audit standards and compliance regulations and familiarity with international standards for internal control and risk and compliance management (e.g., COSO, ISO)
• Experience with ESG standards