Senior Risk & Compliance Officer at Centre for Health Solutions - Kenya (CHS)

Overall Job Function

• Reporting to the Contracts & Compliance Manager, the officer will be responsible for providing independent and objective assurance to the Senior Management Team (SMT) on the adequacy and effectiveness of key internal controls, ensure compliance with donor requirements and statutory regulations for CHS and all the sub awardees.  The officer will regularly update the organizational risk management framework with emerging risks, thresholds and mitigation measures.
• The main purpose of the job will be to provide technical support in ensuring that the operations of CHS are ethical, in compliance with donors’ regulations, statutory requirements and internal policies and procedures.

Key Responsibilities

• Conducting reviews of organisation records to ensure compliance with government statutory requirements in areas including but not limited to taxation laws, employment law and any other applicable requirements.
• Examining, evaluating and reporting on the adequacy of internal controls as a contribution to the proper, economic and effective use of resources.
• Reviewing the current organisational policies, procedures and systems in place to ensure effective internal controls.
• Reviewing the current project policies, procedures and systems in place to ensure effectiveness of internal controls.
• Monitoring, assessing, and analysing organisational risks and controls and recommending appropriate risk mitigation measures.
• Developing periodic reporting on status of implementation of audit recommendations for CHS and sub awardees.
• Identifying potential areas of compliance vulnerability and risk, developing and implementing corrective action plans for resolution of problematic issues and providing guidance on how to avoid or deal with similar situations in the future.
• Ensuring that all organizational activities are in line with contractual obligations and agreements with respective donors and maintenance of a compliance dashboard for each donor.
• Analyze high risk and complex issues donor et al and provide practical and appropriate advice, including escalating to the appropriate senior levels or forums and recommending methods to proactively manage those risks.
• Continually review whether the grant management activities comply with the key controls contained in the grant management guidelines of CHS and donor regulations
• Assess compliance with grant conditions on sample basis working closely with project implementation team.
• Provide information on donor regulations on a regular basis to ensure specific guidelines are being followed.
• Analyzing data obtained for evidence of deficiencies in internal controls, duplication of effort, extravagance, fraud, and non-compliance with country laws, government regulations, and management policies or procedures.
• Strengthening field-based internal control environment and risk management through financial monitoring and oversight of field offices.
• Disseminate written policies and procedures related to compliance activities.
• Collaborate with human resources department to ensure the implementation of consistent disciplinary actions in cases of compliance standard violations.
• Researching and keeping abreast of legislative issues, new compliance regulations/major donors’ regulations and assisting the organization in detecting and preventing mistakes before they happen.
• Participating in internal control improvement initiatives by making recommendations for enhancing processes, policies, and procedures.
• Maintaining a working relationship with external auditors and reviewers to ensure prompt implementation of their recommendations.
• Monitoring the implementation of external audit findings at the head office, satellite/field offices and the sub awardees.
• Conducting special reviews and investigations as and when requested.
• Conducting thoroughly documented investigations of whistle blower cases and suspected fraud.
• Verifying the accounting records and project expenses of the sub awardees to ensure accurate financial reporting and compliance with CHS and donor requirements.
• Any other official duties assigned by the supervisor.

 Professional Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field
• Accounting and/ or auditing qualifications from relevant professional bodies such as CPA, ACCA, CIA or CISA
• A minimum of five (5) years’ work experience as auditor in an audit firm and experience in auditing NGOs or held similar position in an NGO
• Ability to work with diverse groups including a variety of personality types
• Ability to review and analyze financial records, financial reports and statements.
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Working knowledge of USAID and CDC funding requirements
• Highly motivated, energetic, independent self-starter with strong communication skills
• Demonstrate proficiency in Enterprise Resource Planning System (ERP) particularly Navision based on Microsoft Dynamics and computer assisted audit techniques.

Functional Skills

• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Good organization skills
• Good interpersonal skills
• Problem solving skills
• Outstanding levels of integrity