Position Title: Compliance Officer
Department: Finance
Supervisor: Compliance Manager
Supervises: N/A
Location: Nairobi, Kenya
Job Summary
The Compliance Officer is a pivotal member of the Finance Department, responsible for ensuring adherence to AWF, donor, and country-specific regulations. This role entails coordinating and enforcing compliance with all AWF Policies throughout the organization and its partners. Working closely with the Compliance Manager, the Compliance Officer assists in implementing robust internal controls at both institutional and operational levels. Key responsibilities include facilitating audit preparedness for various organizational, statutory, and grant audits, conducting compliance reviews, and delivering periodic training sessions on internal control procedures. Additionally, the Compliance Officer collaborates with the Compliance Manager and other relevant stakeholders to maintain a comprehensive organizational and compliance calendar. This position involves occasional international and regular field trips to support AWF’s conservation programs and requires strong interpersonal skills, attention to detail, and a proactive approach to problem-solving. Reporting to the Compliance Manager, the Compliance Officer plays a vital role in upholding AWF’s commitment to sustainable conservation efforts.
This position reports to the Compliance Manager and is based at AWF’s headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya, with occasional international and regular field trips required.
Responsibilities
Compliance Tracking
Ensure audit readiness for organizational, statutory, and grant audits.
Review and test books and records to prepare for audits.
Conduct desk and field reviews of financial transactions for accuracy and eligibility.
Coordinate audit requests and responses.
Maintain and update the monthly compliance tracker, ensuring accurate and up-to-date records of compliance activities, issues, and resolutions.
Assist compliance manager by preparing concise compliance reports to be presented to senior management as required.
Maintain an updated organizational and compliance calendar.
Financial and Regulatory Compliance
Develop, implement, and maintain effective compliance programs, policies, and procedures to ensure adherence to applicable laws and regulations.
Monitor and analyze regulatory developments, advise management on necessary actions, and update compliance programs accordingly.
Review financial data, identifying and reporting transaction errors.
Ensure tax compliance in all countries of AWF’s registration.
Perform compliance reviews of AWF and partner programs.
Track and document quality assurance issues and feedback from audits and reviews.
Participate in new awards kick-off meetings to reinforce compliance requirements.
Compliance and Tracking
Ensure audit readiness for organizational, statutory, and grant audits.
Review and test books and records to prepare for audits.
Conduct desk and field reviews of financial transactions for accuracy and eligibility.
Coordinate audit requests and responses.
Maintain and update the monthly compliance tracker, ensuring accurate and up-to-date records of compliance activities, issues, and resolutions.
Assist compliance manager by preparing concise compliance reports to be presented to senior management as required.
Follow-up on Audit Findings Implementation
Assist in the implementation of audit findings from organizational, statutory, and grant audits.
Develop and manage action plans in response to audit observations, ensuring timely implementation.
Ensure timely and effective resolution of compliance violations.
Monitor the progress of corrective measures to address audit findings.
Leadership and Collaboration
Proactively report instances of non-compliance, fraud, waste, and abuse.
Together with the compliance manager, provide periodic training to staff on internal control procedures and accounting tools.
Other Duties
Proactively report instances of non-compliance, fraud, waste, and abuse.
Requirements and skills
- Minimum of 5 years in public accounting, including 2 years as an Auditor, with a mix of profit and nonprofit experience.
- Bachelor’s degree in business, finance, accounting, or related field.
- CPA accreditation highly preferred; additional certifications such as CISA, CFE, and CIA advantageous.
- Solid knowledge of accounting standards governing nonprofit accounting, financial reporting, procurement, and audit.
- Ability to organize and synthesize large amounts of data and communicate complex information effectively.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Strong decision-making skills, self-starter mentality, and ability to meet tight deadlines.
- Familiarity with African development sphere regulations.
- Cultural sensitivity, teamwork skills, and proactive problem-solving abilities.
- As this position is heavily anchored in AWF’s conservation programs, the successful candidate must have a strong interest in and understanding of conservation.
- Knowledge of French is advantageous.
CLOSING DATE: 13th August 2024
