Risk and Compliance Specialist

EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT CENTER (EDC)

Education Development Center (EDC) is a global nonprofit that advances lasting solutions to improve education, promote health, and expand economic opportunity, with a focus on vulnerable and under-served populations.  Since 1958, we have been a leader in designing, implementing, and evaluating powerful and innovative programs in more than 80 countries around the world.

EDC promotes equity and access to high quality education and health services and products that contribute to thriving communities where people from diverse backgrounds learn, live, and work together. We support an inclusive workplace culture that embraces many perspectives and broadens our understanding of the communities we serve, enhancing and enriching our work.

EDC is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

Project Description

The goal of the five-year, USAID-funded Integrated Child and Youth Development (ICYD) Activity is for Ugandan children and youth, especially the most vulnerable, to receive the support and services necessary to lead resilient, healthy, and productive lives. The ICYD Activity is expected to achieve the following:

1. Children and youth have improved learning outcomes
2. Children and youth are safe and healthy in their community and learning environments
3. Youth practice positive behaviors and are able to make informed decisions about their lives and relationships

This Activity will address the mutually reinforcing relationship between improving learning outcomes and improving wellbeing and employ a comprehensive approach that merges PEPFAR/Orphans and Vulnerable Children strategy’s strengths in acute vulnerability stabilization with education’s broad protective effects.

The Risk and Compliance Specialist (RCS) will work under the direction and guidance of the Deputy Chief of Party, Finance and Operations, and with technical team leads, under the general management of the Chief of Party.  The RCS will ensure that effective controls are in place and functioning that safeguard the use of all ICYD resources; financial, material and human resources; will mitigate the risk of fraud or misuse of project funds and assets; will validate and review program activity implementation and will help improve and strengthen overall financial, operational and human resource management.   This is a full-time position based in Kampala, Uganda.

The Risk and Compliance Specialist will undertake, but not be limited to, the following essential functions:

Compliance management

• Review, report and advise on the degree of compliance exercised by the USAID ICYD Activity in regard to EDC’s and USAIDs rules, regulations and policies.
• Work with the USAID ICYD team to ensure compliance with other donor requirements including environment, family planning and reporting, and Government of Uganda laws and regulations.
• Plan and coordinate risk and compliance reviews at the country office to mitigate risk and ensure compliance with the Donor and Foundation laid down policies and procedures by establishing a country office risk & compliance management work plan and work with line managers to effect it.
• Share updates with management on related applicable policies, procedures, rules, and regulations to ensure compliance and risk mitigation in course of implementing activities
• Develop an effective Compliance & Ethics training program, including appropriate introductory training for new employees as well as ongoing training for all employees and managers
• Stay abreast of donor policies, procedures, rules and regulations, host country legal requirements, and inform local and global management of significant changes
• Support ICYD Activity to maintain awareness and understanding of compliance by conducting ethics trainings for both new and old staff to ensure that a culture of compliance is established.

Risk Management

• Develop and regularly update a risk matrix; follow up on risk matrix findings to improve the control environment and reduce risks of EDC and USAID ICYD Activity.
•  Ensure that effective internal controls are in place to prevent and detect fraud, misappropriation of funds and assets; and misapplication of policies and procedures.
• Test whether the controls in place respond to the risks identified.
•  Recommend improvements for effective internal control mechanisms and ensure adherence to the Uganda Country Handbook and the ICYD Policies and Procedures Manual, and Government of Uganda Laws and Regulations

Internal Control Testing

• Review accounting records for adequacy of documentation, safekeeping and ease of availability at the Kampala office; and conduct periodic visits to ICYD’s field offices to review accounting records and systems and make appropriate recommendations.
• Review the adequacy of and provide recommendations on internal control systems in regard to procurement; management of supplies and equipment; fixed assets; fleet management; supply stores records; taxes (compliance with Uganda law and timeliness of payment); advances; cash and bank controls; information technology; participant training; human resources; travel and advances.
• Design and implement an appropriate monitoring tool and schedule to verify the accuracy and validity of planned payees and training participants.

Sub Grants

• Ensure appropriate due diligence is carried out on all potential sub-grantees, including financial and operations capacity assessment.
• Carry out periodic checks on a sample of USAID ICYD’s grantees for compliance with financial reporting, USAID rules and regulations and internal controls and recommend improvements as needed.
• Participate in the process of audits and assist with follow-up and closure of audit findings.
• Contribute to ICYD Activities Sub-recipient’s management capacity including provision of input to manuals, guidance, policies, procedures and training where applicable

Audits, Reporting and Communication

• Prepare concise reports detailing findings, risks and recommendations for all internal audits carried out.
• Ensure that recommendations from the internal audit report are implemented in good time and if necessary, organize training to fill any gaps.
• Facilitate and coordinate with annual external audit and follow-up on audit recommendations.
• Organize and conduct regular internal orientations to ICYD staff on EDC policies e.g., fraud policy, whistle blower policy, conflict of interest and USAID rules and regulations as well as any policy changes/updates
• Identify weaknesses, challenges and propose solutions to improve systems, processes and finance/operations tools.  Provide feedback, share best practices.
• Coordinate both internal and external audits with either Finance or Programs/Operations to ensure timely responses to requests and update management on issues raised by auditors during the audit.
• Do timely office lead fraud and suspected fraud investigation in collaboration with all relevant stakeholders and submit report to management with recommendations for action.

Other:

• Perform other relevant duties as required by the supervisor.

The candidate for the position of Risk and Compliance Specialist shall have at a minimum the following qualifications:

Education:

• An advanced university degree in the area of finance, audit, accounting or any related field is preferred;
• A Bachelor’s degree in the area of finance, audit, accounting or any related field in combination with an additional 10 years of experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Certification

• Certification as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Chartered Accountant (CA), Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) or equivalent highly desirable

Skills

• Familiarity with USAID regulations and policies, Government of Uganda tax and employment laws;
• Exceptional analytical, investigative, and organizational skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Able to prepare effective presentations and reports;
• Proven ability to work collaboratively with a diverse team of professionals;
• Ability to manage multiple, time-sensitive tasks professionally and with high quality;
• Excellent written and oral communication skills;
• Proficient in MS Office Suite applications, especially Excel and Word.
• Proficiency in online accounting software, especially QuickBooks.
• Must be able to work within a cross cultural setting, negotiate diplomatically, and function well under pressure;
• Ability to work hands-on and independently in a difficult work environment
• Willingness to travel to regions covered by the project.

Experience

• A minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in USAID funded projects in areas of  financial compliance, audit, internal audit, accounting, and risk management at the national or international level with a Master degree or 7 years of experience with a Bachelor degree.
• Experience with audits of development aid programmes or the projects funded by international donors and institution is required.
• Experience in the use of ERP accounting software packages preferably SUN accounting systems is desirable.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills is preferable.
• Good knowledge of donor organizations and experience in working with Public Institutions would be an asset
• Previous experience with the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis would be an asset.
• Strong experience in South East Asia region is preferred.

Language:

Fluency in English is required.

Job closing date: August 14, 2021

Applications submitted without a resume or CV will not be reviewed.

Only if technical difficulties occur, applicants may send their resumes to: ugandajobs@edc.org, listing “RCS-Uganda” in the Subject Line.

Due to the volume of applications submitted, only finalists will be notified.  No phone calls, please.

EDC is committed to enhancing the diversity of its workforce and ensuring an equitable and highly inclusive work environment. EDC is a smoke-free workplace, and offers a supportive work environment, competitive salary, and excellent benefits. Women, minorities, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

 This announcement is made possible by the support of the American People through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The contents of this notice are the sole responsibility of Education Development Center, Inc. (EDC) and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government.

Note: EDC doesn’t solicit for money from applicants at any level of the recruitment & selection process.

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