Jobs at African Development Solutions | ADESO Africa

Reporting To: The Executive Director

Working with: All Departments i.e. Finance, Human Resources, ICT, Programs, Communication & Advocacy, Operations (Logistics & Procurement); Program Directors and Country Directors

SUMMARY

The Senior Compliance Officer will report to the Executive Director by assessing, monitoring and addressing the status of internal controls and all compliance aspects in Adeso.

The post-holder will undertake real time risk analysis of Adeso operations with regards to adherence to internal controls and donor compliance and will provide targeted context-specific sensitization, prevention measures and guidance on minimizing all major risks. Key to this will be the compilation of an operational risk register with detailed action plans and continuous updates on risk rating and mitigation activities.

S/he will be responsible for providing efficient and effective management of the programme’s overall grant portfolio. S/he will be member of the country programme core Senior Management Team responsible for ensuring appropriate grant management, ensuring compliance with donor and internal organisational requirements and overseeing information management related to grant and programme implementation.

S/he will have authority to implement all necessary agreed actions to ensure achievement of the objectives of the compliance program. S/he will also make recommendations for the Senior Management Team to ensure on-going compliance.

POSITION PURPOSE

The purpose of this role is to work alongside the country and programme management teams and in close co-operation with the Finance, Procurement and Human Resources units to minimize operational risks in relation Adeso operations; specifically risks that arise from non- compliance with Adeso global policies and non-compliance with donor regulations

The Senior Compliance Officer will also perform on request investigations in relation to fraud, corruption and bribery and promote adherence to related policies.

SPECIFIC ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Donor compliance and Grant Management systems:
  • Lead the preparation and implementation of the annual work plan of the Compliance and Oversight Unit to ensure work priorities and objectives, taking into account the most effective use of resources;
  • Ensure full compliance with Adeso policies and procedures and minimum operating standards for grant management, Internal controls and work with implementing partners when required;
  • Implement and manage Adeso processes for grant management, equitable cost recovery, grants close out and sub-grant management when required;
  • Work with Budget Holders and Finance Team to monitor all grant budgets to ensure compliance with donor requirements; review budget realignment and grant request; and also monitor expenditures to ensure compliance with budgets;
  • Organise and participate in grant opening, mid-term review and closure meetings and develop, with support of the Country Directors, a mechanism to hold
  • Budget Holders accountable for deviations from the grant contracts;
  • Act as a central point of organisational expertise on donor compliance requirements, ensuring that relevant staff of all departments are informed of donor requirements; work closely with all departments to ensure compliance. Provide technical support to assess donor eligibility/allow ability of planned expenditures and identify related compliance requirements;
  • Verify that financial reports are coherent and adhere to donor and Adeso standards before submission;
  • Develop models to detect unusual activity; Review processes templates and procedures, including those associated with monitoring and evaluation;
  • Assess compliance to internal procedures, controls mechanisms of Adeso policies and procedures, donors requirements, and Government regulations, and ensure supporting documentation is exhaustive and consistent.
• Risk Management
  • Document, evaluate and test systems and controls to determine their adequacy and effectiveness towards:
    • Compliance with rules and regulations,
    • Accomplishment of management’s objectives,
    • Reliability and integrity of information,
    • Efficient use of resources, and
    • Safeguarding of assets.
  • Monitor risks related to the achievement of Adeso financial and non-financial objectives and ensure the alignment of risk management framework with the internal control measures;
  • Mitigate the risk of misuse of donor funds and ensure that an effective internal control mechanism is in place to prevent and detect fraud. Manage cases of reported, suspected, and occurred fraud across Adeso’s operations;
  • Ensure accurate and timely preparation and submission of periodic reports on issues and any material weaknesses identified during the review period.
• Internal Control Review:
  • Coordinate the development, implementation and review of the organisational internal control strategy;
  • Quarterly travel to Adeso field office to review the control in place and suggest any improvement if needed;
  • Perform systems audit of Adeso offices and ensure that all supporting documents, proposals, contracts and amendments with donors follow the internal procedures;
  • Disseminate donor and Adeso standards to relevant personnel at the beginning of the process;
  • Ensure that a system is in place to analyse overhead and shared programme cost so that all aspects have been taken into account (checklist);
  • Submit monthly compliance report to his/her supervisor.
• Training:
  • Ensure Budget Holders, Finance Officers and field staff are provided with the information and training they require in order to understand donor guidelines, compliance issues and the Adeso grant management and internal control procedures;
  • Conduct regular visits to field offices and project sites;
  • Conduct internal audits of grants processes and protocols to advise Budget Holders on compliance levels in the field bases;
  • Ensure key donors compliance checklists are available, provide orientation to Budget Holders and follow up the implementation;
  • Developing staff and providing guidance and technical advice where necessary.
• Audit:
  • Ensure that all grants are audited as per donor rules and regulations;
    Conduct special management reviews and assist in the follow-up on the implementation of the internal/external audit recommendation, updating the audit tracking tool;
  • Assist the Finance Manager and Adeso programs management in responding to internal audit requirements.
• Other
  • Contribute to the country strategic and operational planning and reporting;
  • Provide regular briefings to the Adeso management regarding programme/operational matters and general systems controls;
  • Review Funding Agreement Documents (FAD) for approval by management at submission and grant award.

SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

Essential:

• Bachelor’s degree from a reputable university, an advanced degree will be an added advantage;
• Minimum of 5 years work experience in a reputable professional services firm, large international NGO or donor organisation involved in grant management;
• Experience of managing USAID funds and ensuring compliance with USAID requirements.
• Knowledge of compliance requirements for major donors, including USAID, DFID, ECHO, EU and ability and skills to establish compliance systems with Adeso staff.
• Understanding of risks and related relevant controls primarily in the overall grant cycle including programme, financial and procurement cycles and effectively mitigates these;
• High level skills in written standard English and ability to transform documents and reports developed by programme staff into dissemination standard documents
• Ability to present, discuss and supervise compliance with grants monitoring protocols with team members of varying levels
• Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain effective project files for accountability and audit purposes
• Professional qualifications; ACCA or CPA;
• Certification in Internal audit or Risk management will be added advantage.

Desirable:

• Extensive experience of managing grants with donors and working with civil society organisations.
• Advanced skills in coaching, mentoring, capacity building, team development, around management of accountability and compliance in relation to donor funding.
• Ability to work as a team with program staff at all levels without holding any direct line management authority.
• Demonstrated ability to lead teams with members of extremely varied skills, experience and backgrounds.
• Ability to and experience of establishing partnership management and monitoring protocols with local NGO partners
• Demonstrated ability to remain positive and productive in a harsh climatic environment.

go to method of application »

Project: DEPP - Disasters and Emergencies Preparedness Program

Position Type: Short-Term Consultancy

Study/Assessment Topic: Consultancy Services for Design Thinking and Human-Centered Design

Position Location: Nairobi, Kenya with travel to Marsabit and Garissa Counties

Duration: One (1) Month

Reporting To: Project Director - DEPP Lab

Working With: The Innovations Lead

Starting Date: Immediately

Application Deadline: 25th July, 2018

Vacancy Contact: Please send applications to consultancy@adesoafrica.org – Adeso will only respond to short-listed applicants.

ORGANIZATIONAL BACKGROUND

Adeso is an expanding and vibrant African based international development and humanitarian organization. At Adeso, we work with African communities who are yet to realize their full potential; working inside these communities to create environments in which Africans can thrive. Our belief that economic, social and environmental security is the bedrock of a healthy community drives the nature and intent of our programming. We work to prevent and overcome situations that adversely affect community well-being by: reinvigorating the economy, developing skills for life and work, providing humanitarian aid, and influencing policy.

For the past 20 years we have strengthened rural livelihoods through environmental awareness, training, technology transfer and innovative humanitarian projects in pursuit of a peaceful, self-reliant, and greener future.

Adeso is an exciting and dynamic organization experiencing managed rapid growth. It offers sound employment conditions with opportunities for personal growth and development.

PROJECT SUMMARY

Adeso is leading in the Implementation of the Disasters and Emergencies Preparedness Program (DEPP) Innovation Lab, a 22 months’ project under the AIM (Adeso, iHub MasterCard) Consortium. The objective of this program is to increase preparedness and resilience of disaster-prone communities in Garissa and Marsabit counties of Kenya by drawing on their deep knowledge of pastoralist.

The Consortium has formed Maarifa Kona community innovation labs in Garissa and Marsabit where rural communities are participating to find ideas, prototype and scale innovations for commercialization. It is from this background that a number of community innovators are engaged with the labs to refine and prototype their ideas.

BACKGROUND FOR CONSULTANCY

Adeso is leading in the Implementation of Disasters and Emergencies Preparedness Program (DEPP) Innovation Lab is a 22 months’ project under the AIM (Adeso, iHub MasterCard) Consortium. The objective of this program is to increase preparedness and resilience of disaster-prone communities in Garissa and Marsabit counties of Kenya by drawing on their deep knowledge of pastoralist.

The Consortium has formed Maarifa Kona community innovations labs in Garissa and Marsabit where rural communities are participating to find ideas, prototype and scale innovations for commercialization. It is from this background that a number of community innovators are engaged with the labs to refine and prototype their ideas.

OBJECTIVES OF THE CONSULTANCY

To provide Innovators with basic design thinking process skills;

To inspire change at all stages of the Innovators’ product development through the delivery of exciting written, oral, and visual presentations;

Help the Innovators approach problems from a human perspective, with the objective of designing innovative and desirable products, services or experiences;

To design basic design thinking curriculum guide for the Innovators on financial literacy and entrepreneurship skills development;

To help the Innovators generate practical results through prototyping so that potential users can test them and provide feedback – long before the completion or launch.

METHODOLOGY

This consultancy, through collaborative interaction of multi-disciplinary and decision-capable teams, will provide a flexible workspace for collaborative work and workflow. Innovators will be subjected to real and one-on-one approach of design thinking strategies in a formal workshop conducted by the Consultant. Each Innovator will be allowed to reflect on their innovation process and involve design thinking approach to evaluate pivots that may arise through feedback.

SCOPE OF WORK

The training will be undertaken in phases within the counties of Nairobi, Garissa and Marsabit on different occasions. This will be an incremental training that is basically meant to provide and build the capacity-design thinking processes of community Innovators.

CONSULTANCY PERIOD

The consultancy period will be based on call basis for specific dates of training schedules based on the counties within a period of up to one (1) Month.

DELIVERABLES

Design thinking curriculum in both hard and soft copies.

Basic design thinking process and human-centered design training.

Training report demonstrating a participatory training approach and a list of post training actions for improving design thinking process.

Generated practical results from Innovators’ led design.

Design thinking strategy for the Innovators.

QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor’s degree in Business Association, Marketing, Economics, Computer Science, Cognitive Science, Psychology, Information Science, or any other related field. Equivalent work experience is also acceptable for the position.

Minimum four (4) years of experience in design thinking and human-centered approach and solutions.

Experience in provision of design thinking approach and human centered design.

Experience in facilitation/training skills/ especially in adult learning methodologies.

Knowledge and experience of community engagement.

Demonstrated excellent training delivery analytical, writing and editing skills.

Prior working experience with social and humanitarian innovation design thinking methodology is desirable.

Excellent written and spoken English and Swahili skills.

Good presentation and communication skills.

COPYRIGHT AND INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS

In consideration of the fees paid, the Consultant expressly assigns to Adeso any copyright arising from the works the consultant produces while executing this contract. All images (whether used for online or print purposes) must however bear the consultant’s photo credit, as specified by international intellectual property rights. The consultant may not use, reproduce or otherwise disseminate or authorize others to use, reproduce or disseminate such works without prior consent from Adeso.

go to method of application »

Project: DEPP - Disasters and Emergencies Preparedness Program

Position Type: Short-Term Consultancy

Study/Assessment Topic: Consultancy Services for Design Thinking and Human-Centered Design

Position Location: Nairobi, Kenya with travel to Marsabit and Garissa Counties

Duration: One (1) Month

Reporting To: Project Director - DEPP Lab

Working With: The Innovations Lead

Starting Date: Immediately

Application Deadline: 25th July, 2018

Vacancy Contact: Please send applications to consultancy@adesoafrica.org – Adeso will only respond to short-listed applicants.

PROJECT SUMMARY

Adeso is leading in the Implementation of the Disasters and Emergencies Preparedness Program (DEPP) Innovation Lab, a 22 months’ project under the AIM (Adeso, iHub MasterCard) Consortium. The objective of this program is to increase preparedness and resilience of disaster-prone communities in Garissa and Marsabit counties of Kenya by drawing on their deep knowledge of pastoralist.

The Consortium has formed Maarifa Kona community innovation labs in Garissa and Marsabit where rural communities are participating to find ideas, prototype and scale innovations for commercialization. It is from this background that a number of community innovators are engaged with the labs to refine and prototype their ideas.

BACKGROUND FOR CONSULTANCY

Adeso is leading in the Implementation of Disasters and Emergencies Preparedness Program (DEPP) Innovation Lab is a 22 months’ project under the AIM (Adeso, iHub MasterCard) Consortium. The objective of this program is to increase preparedness and resilience of disaster-prone communities in Garissa and Marsabit counties of Kenya by drawing on their deep knowledge of pastoralist.

The Consortium has formed Maarifa Kona community innovations labs in Garissa and Marsabit where rural communities are participating to find ideas, prototype and scale innovations for commercialization. It is from this background that a number of community innovators are engaged with the labs to refine and prototype their ideas.

OBJECTIVES OF THE CONSULTANCY

• To provide Innovators with basic design thinking process skills;
• To inspire change at all stages of the Innovators’ product development through the delivery of exciting written, oral, and visual presentations;
• Help the Innovators approach problems from a human perspective, with the objective of designing innovative and desirable products, services or experiences;
• To design basic design thinking curriculum guide for the Innovators on financial literacy and entrepreneurship skills development;
• To help the Innovators generate practical results through prototyping so that potential users can test them and provide feedback – long before the completion or launch.

METHODOLOGY

This consultancy, through collaborative interaction of multi-disciplinary and decision-capable teams, will provide a flexible workspace for collaborative work and workflow. Innovators will be subjected to real and one-on-one approach of design thinking strategies in a formal workshop conducted by the Consultant. Each Innovator will be allowed to reflect on their innovation process and involve design thinking approach to evaluate pivots that may arise through feedback.

SCOPE OF WORK

The training will be undertaken in phases within the counties of Nairobi, Garissa and Marsabit on different occasions. This will be an incremental training that is basically meant to provide and build the capacity-design thinking processes of community Innovators.

CONSULTANCY PERIOD

The consultancy period will be based on call basis for specific dates of training schedules based on the counties within a period of up to one (1) Month.

DELIVERABLES

• Design thinking curriculum in both hard and soft copies.
• Basic design thinking process and human-centered design training.
• Training report demonstrating a participatory training approach and a list of post training actions for improving design thinking process.
• Generated practical results from Innovators’ led design.
• Design thinking strategy for the Innovators.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Association, Marketing, Economics, Computer Science, Cognitive Science, Psychology, Information Science, or any other related field. Equivalent work experience is also acceptable for the position.
• Minimum four (4) years of experience in design thinking and human-centered approach and solutions.
• Experience in provision of design thinking approach and human centered design.
• Experience in facilitation/training skills/ especially in adult learning methodologies.
• Knowledge and experience of community engagement.
• Demonstrated excellent training delivery analytical, writing and editing skills.
• Prior working experience with social and humanitarian innovation design thinking methodology is desirable.
• Excellent written and spoken English and Swahili skills.
• Good presentation and communication skills.

COPYRIGHT AND INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS

In consideration of the fees paid, the Consultant expressly assigns to Adeso any copyright arising from the works the consultant produces while executing this contract. All images (whether used for online or print purposes) must however bear the consultant’s photo credit, as specified by international intellectual property rights. The consultant may not use, reproduce or otherwise disseminate or authorize others to use, reproduce or disseminate such works without prior consent from Adeso.