Risk and Compliance Officer Job - Danish Refugee Council (DRC)

Job Title: Risk and Compliance Officer

Organisation: Danish Refugee Council (DRC)

Duty Station: Kampala, Uganda

About US:

The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a private, independent, humanitarian organization working on all aspects of the refugee cause in more than 36 countries throughout the world. The aim of DRC is to protect refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) against persecution and to promote durable solutions to the problems of forced migration, on the basis of humanitarian principles and human rights. DRC works in accordance with the UN Conventions on Refugees and the Code of Conduct for the ICRC and NGOs in Disaster Relief.

Job Summary: The Risk and Compliance officer will assist the support services and grant management team in ensuring all DRC Uganda operations are implemented within acceptable DRC and donor guidelines and be the focal point for DRC Uganda on compliance matters.

Conduct internal quality assessment and checks visits of all operational teams and provide management reports, in close coordination with support and program managers in the country office and field offices. The role provides support and/or technical guidance to Field Offices.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

Design, Implement and maintain testing systems to ensure that all field offices are following DRC procurement, administrative policies and accepted accounting principles.
Carry out quarterly internal financial reviews to ensure that DRC and donor guidelines are implemented and followed. This includes but not limited to finance, procurement and administration and involves monthly financial and non-financial transactions/documents reviews and providing feedback to line managers for action.
While using the Compliance Self Checks (CSC), assist DRC Uganda field and country offices in developing recommendations and action points to improve on gaps identified;
Carry out internal compliance assessments to ensure that DRC and donor guidelines are implemented and upheld and that the findings are captured in the risk register/issues log.
Establish processes for the Finance and Grants team in consultation with Country Head of Support Services to ensure proper workflow, filing, and archiving of key documents is in place.
Coordinate and schedule necessary training of finance and non-finance staff to ensure that DRC and donor requirements are understood.
Quality assurance and provide input on day-to-day Project Cycle management process flows,
As a member of the Risk Management Task force, input into CO risk registers and IL to ensure comprehensive reporting and escalation on risk and compliance.
Work closely with Country Head of Support to provide effective support in Counter Fraud measures to address Fraud Risk
Conduct partner capacity assessments and flag high-risk concerns to management and ensure mechanism is in place to monitor for sub-contracted partners.
Induct partner organizations in DRC rules and relevant donor requirements
Conduct partner reviews and ensure a system is in place for follow up action.
Maintain the audit recommendation tracking sheet and ensure timely reminders and follow with managements for implementation of the recommended actions;
Regularly review and suggest improvements to internal control environment on existing processes as well as new proposed internal processes. Provide instruction on compliance issues at kick-off meetings throughout the country.
Support Management during start up or field office closures to flag and identify risk potential risk and areas of exposure to management.
Lead on external audits in the country and coordinate pre-audit document completion as per organizational audit policy.
Take Lead and coordinate donor capacity and system assessments.
Lead on compliance issues at grants opening and close out meetings
Support the Country SMT by conducting of investigations where necessary
Any other task as given by the Country Director.
Procurement of auditors – Organize contracting of auditors in coordination with project or grant managers and supply chain department as per available budget and donor terms of reference
Focal point for all audits, coordinating required input from the various DRC area offices and departments.
Execution – Review and respond to audit queries and discuss with the auditor before going back to field offices.
Escalate high-risk issues and potential financial liabilities to senior management team.
Finalization and Reporting – follow-up on issuance of draft reports and drafting of management comments with quality-assurance to ensure reports are accurate and feedback to donors.
Ensure proper archiving of final audit reports.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

The applicant must hold a relevant bachelor’s degree and required professional qualification at least level 2 of CPA/ACCA
Three years of experience in a compliance, risk management position with an international NGO
Proven ability to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines;
Proven experience working with the major donors, UN, ECHO, EU, BPRM, UNHCR & DANIDA among other donors;
Audit background;
Excellent computer skills. Proficiency in excel is a key requirement;
Excellent communication skills, calm and a good sense of humor;
Proven commitment to accountable practices;
Fluent in written and spoken English

In this position, you are expected to demonstrate DRC’s five core competencies:

Striving for excellence: You focus on reaching results while ensuring an efficient process.
Collaborating: You involve relevant parties and encourage feedback.
Taking the lead: You take ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation.
Communicating: You listen and speak effectively and honestly.
Demonstrating integrity: You act in line with our vision and values.