Risk and Compliance Officer – Epic 3-90 Project: Catholic Relief Services – Zambia Country Program

About Catholic Relief Services

The Catholic Relief Services (CRS) country program was established in 2000, and administers a varied and diversified portfolio of nutrition, health systems strengthening food and security economic growth and livelihoods, orphans and vulnerable (OVC) research and HIV and AIDS programs. Catholic Relief Services out the commitment of Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and the vulnerable overseas.

Job Summary:

You will conduct risk-related activities for the country program (CP) including sub-recipient compliance adhering to CRS policies, local laws, and donor regulations to help ensure effective delivery of high-quality programming to the poor and vulnerable. Your knowledge and skills will help reduce risk to staff, to the effectiveness of our programming, and to the people, we serve through the application of the principles of stewardship, integrity, transparency, and accountability.

This position exists to support the EpiC 3-90 project in monitoring and reporting operational Internal Compliance at EpiC 3-90 project supported facilities and ensure a systematic approach to evaluate and improve the effectiveness of risk management, internal control, and governance processes.

Job Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with the Grants and Compliance Manager and CP leadership on strengthening internal control systems and processes.
• Help identify risk issues and challenges and solutions to address them.
• Help implement and advise on the sub-recipient financial management policy (SRFMP)
• Support the planning and performance of internal audits, control reviews and compliance assessments, conduct audit activities as applicable. Help analyze results and provide recommendations.
• Support the design and facilitation of trainings and institutional capacity strengthening plans for CRS and partners.
• Support external audits and the coordination of action plans to close out audits
• Understands and documents the internal control environment, systems and procedures, at the direction of the Grants and Compliance Manager.
• Conducts unannounced periodic reviews of all financial transactions and the supporting documents of the financial transaction processing functions, as well as reviews of all other support units at the supported facilities.
• Maintain a comprehensive list of all sub recipient organizations, including award amount, obligation amount, start and end date of award and tracks the total amount of USG resources.
• Ensures that control policies and procedures are in place and operational to address risks obtaining in achieving the Project’s objectives, conducts monthly and quarterly reviews of internal controls to identify, analyse and manage risks, captures and exchange information needed to conduct, manage and control operations with internal and external clients and monitors internal control processes and ensure that any changes are captured as such.
• Support timely response to donor requests related to subaward agreements, budgets and Spending Review, communicate and monitor compliance with donor requirements related to staffing, purchasing, and asset management and reporting.
• Identify compliance gaps and related solutions including differences between donor and LPTF internal policies and procedures, including cost allocation.
• Take the lead in monitoring timely local grants closure engaging both finance and program staff well in advance of closure deadlines and advising on issues related to staffing, disposition and reporting.
• Ensure timely reporting to EpiC 3-90 management of any identified compliance risks.
• Resolve grant compliance issues that arise with LPTFs by arranging for technical support from the EpiC 3-90 and CRS Compliance team
• Support and participate in SRFMP as required by CRS and directed by the Grants and Compliance Manager.

Typical Background, Experience & Requirements:

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting/Finance related field or equivalents experience
• Full ACCA/CIMA/CPA
• Membership to an audit body desirable
• Minimum of 3 years work experience, ideally with an international organization, with progressive responsibility in operations and/or programming. At least 2 of these years entailing audit, compliance or risk management experience.
• Knowledge of audit standards and compliance regulations and familiarity with international standards for internal control and risk and compliance management (e.g., COSO, ISO, COBIT)
• Familiarity with accounting systems.
• Proficient in MS Office package (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Visio) and information management systems.

Personal Skills

• Good relationship management skills
• Good analytical, organizational, and systems thinking skills
• Ability to make sound judgment
• Ethical conduct in accordance with recognized professional and organizational codes of ethics
• Proactive, resourceful and results-oriented

Required/Desired Foreign Language

English

Travel Required (50% required travel)

Key Working Relationships:

Supervisory: None

Internal:
External:

Agency-wide Competencies (for all CRS Staff):

These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results.

• Trusting Relationships
• Professional Growth
• Partnership
• Accountability

Disclaimer:

This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.

Note: By applying to this job, I understand and acknowledge that CRS requires its staff to treat all people with dignity and respect and to actively prevent harassment, abuse, exploitation, and human trafficking. Further, I understand that if I am a successful candidate, I will be subject to a comprehensive background check, and my personal/professional references will be asked to evaluate my behaviors related to the above safeguarding-related topics.

Applicants Instructions:

Please email a cover letter, and curriculum vitae which should include three references to: [email protected].

The closing date for applications is 31st May 2020. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview.