BACKGROUND:

The International Rescue Committee, one of the world’s largest humanitarian international NGOs, provides relief, rehabilitation, and development support to vulnerable people and communities over 40 countries. We began work in Ethiopia in 2000 in response to severe drought in Ethiopia’s Somali region and are currently providing assistance to Ethiopians and refugees in nine regions in Ethiopia, implementing emergency and development programs in health, water and sanitation, economic recovery and development (ERD), women’s protection and empowerment, education, child protection, and multi-sectoral emergency response.

Job Overview:  

The Compliance Officer will support the Compliance Coordinator to oversee ethics and compliance-related functions across the country program. The core purpose of the role is: to support and promote an ethical and compliant work environment within the Ethiopia Country Program; through proactive prevention initiatives, raising awareness and promoting behaviors consistent with IRC’s Code of Conduct; and providing timely review of alleged wrongdoing inconsistent with IRC values and policies under the supervision of the Compliance Coordinator.

The role will have a range of responsibilities, all aimed to build a safe and compliant working environment within IRC, through proactive prevention initiatives to reduce wrongdoing and timely, coordinated action where behavior is suspected to be inconsistent with IRC values and policies.   

Major Responsibilities:

1. Prevention: Create a safe and compliant environment

• As requested by the Compliance Coordinator, conduct compliance spot check, prepare reports and follow up with relevant stakeholders to ensure that all agreed recommendations are implemented on time.

• Follow up with department heads and budget holders in ensuring timely response to compliance audit requirements and agreed recommendations.

• Review and report on the extent to which internal policies and procedures are complied with including conducting walk-throughs and tests that systematically assess whether systems and controls are operating as per policies, procedures, and donor regulations.

• Conduct review of financial documents and complete compliance review tracker and communicate findings to the Compliance Coordinator.

• Ensure compliance with applicable Ethiopian laws and donor guidelines and regulations.

• Review and report on the adequacy and effectiveness of IRC Ethiopia’s and its partners/sub-grantees systems and internal policies and procedures, assessing the extent to which these controls offer adequate protection against error, fraud, and loss of all kinds.

• Inspire a strong culture of ethics and compliance by providing on-going training, capacity building and advice to staff and partners as needed

• Support records management and archiving processes to assist with the proper filing of documentation.

• Support internal audits and provide follow-up support on the timely implementation of audit findings and action plans in conjunction with key country program staff.

2.      Reporting Misconduct Allegations

• Ensure staff are informed of IRC fraud, anti-corruption, whistleblowing, and conflict of interest policies and help implement these policies to staff as directed by the Compliance Coordinator.

• Promote a culture of reporting on ethics and compliance concerns, providing appropriate feedback to staff, partners, and complainants, working closely to ensure support and follow-up is provided.

3.      Investigations

• As requested by the Compliance Coordinator, ensure identification of impacted donor on allegation of misconduct.

• As requested by the Compliance Coordinator and in coordination with the ECU or Global HR team, support or directly undertake investigation of breach of IRC Way including alleged fraud, waste, and financial corruption.

• Conduct document evidence analysis for HR, finance and supply chain documents in relation to investigation, analyses the findings and communicate conclusion to the ECU consultant, investigator, or Compliance Coordinator as appropriate.

• Maintain, in the required format, an up-to-date tracker of ECU cases and recommendations.

 4.      Other

• Stay informed of IRC procedures and policies in relation to Supply Chain, Finance, HR and Programs as set out in relevant IRC manuals and guidelines.

• Work in collaboration with HR, Finance and supply chain to clear issue communicated following compliance spot check.

•  Submit a weekly and monthly report to the Compliance Coordinator.

• Perform other tasks as requested by the Compliance Coordinator as required.

Job Requirements

Educational Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting and finance or other relevant subject area

Preferred experience & skills:

• 2 years’ experience working in finance/audit/compliance related function.

• Experience within NGOs or in the development / humanitarian sector, with knowledge of donor rules and regulations.

• Strong planning, organizational and interpersonal skills.

• Excellent analytical, presentation, and reporting skills.

• Ability to respond to changing priorities.

• Excellent communication skills, verbally and in writing, in English.

• Commitment to upholding and modeling IRC’s core values (the IRC Way), demonstrating high standards of ethics and integrity.

How to Apply

Candidates meeting the above qualifications are encouraged to apply only through the below IRC On-line recruitment website:  CLICK HERE

Please include 3 references from current and former employers.

Applications will not be returned. IRC discourages phone calls or personal visits.

Only applicants meeting the minimum qualification will be short listed and contacted                                                   

           Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply!

IRC is an equal employment opportunity employer.  IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status or disability.

Professional Standards: The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity Anti-Retaliation and Combating Trafficking in Persons

Gender Equality: IRC is committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer benefits that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce including parental leave, gender-sensitive security protocols, and other supportive benefits and allowances

Equal Opportunity Employer: IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.