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9 Mar 2021

Risks and Compliance Specialist

Job Description

 Job Title: Risks and Compliance Specialist  

Company: Plan International

ROLE PURPOSE

Plan International is an independent development and humanitarian organisation that advances children’s rights and equality for girls. Plan has over 80 years’ experience and works in more than 75 countries across the world. We strive for a just world, working together with children, young people, our supporters and partners.

Plan International has been working in Tanzania since 1991. Our work supports marginalised children and youth, especially adolescent girls, to grow up physically and mentally healthy and ready to shape their future. We create an enabling environment and empower girls to be active drivers of change in realising their rights. We prioritise working with partners, and ensuring all of our work is evidence based.

The Internal Control function is part of the second line of defence in the three lines of defence model, supporting the implementation of effective risk management through monitoring the functioning of the country’s internal controls to ensure that these comply with organisational policies, procedures and guidelines.  Additionally, the incumbent is responsible for

  • coordinating the country self- assessment process
  • continuous monitoring of compliance with donor requirements for various grant funded projects
  • coordinating all internal and external audits,
  • following up on audit action lists and
  • coordinating risk management reviews.

DIMENSIONS OF THE ROLE

  • Reports to the Country Director [may have a dotted line to local board where applicable]
  • Acts as focal point for regular updates of the Country Risk Register
  • Budget responsibility limited to area specific matters.

ACCOUNTABILITIES

Internal Control

  • Develops (in consultation with the Country Director), coordinates and implements a comprehensive internal control (audit) schedule that ensures regular coverage of every unit and geographical area
  • Performs/participates in reviews and investigations as assigned
  • Prepares reports for management on internal control assignments undertaken
  • Participates in the design of all tools required for the internal control work (working papers, reporting format and protocols, etc)
  • Facilitates any required self-assessment exercises on the effectiveness of internal controls and attainment of standards
  • Advises and supports management in the strengthening of internal controls, systems and processes
  • Facilitates the sharing of learning, based on best practices within the organisation as well as on best practices from the sector generally
  • Actively participates in any regional internal control / audit networks as well as relevant external networks concerning internal controls and risk management
  • Contributes to the induction of new staff members upon request on risk management, the control framework and the role of internal control

Donor Compliance and Audit

  • Provide continuous oversight of compliance to donor procedures and requirements throughout the project cycle, from start-up, implementation and closure by conducting regular audits at appropriate stages of the project
  • Provide training and ongoing support to relevant stakeholders including Grant funded project team members, Plan field offices and partners on understanding donor financial compliance, identifying financial risks and other best practices related to financial management and ensuring compliance requirements are understood and adhered to at all levels.
  • Work closely with Country teams to prepare for donor audits. Oversee coordination of donor audits with field offices for assigned portfolio of projects.

Partner Risk Management

  • Monitors whether appropriate due diligence is carried out on all potential partners, including financial capacity assessment and anti-terrorism screening
  • Monitors actions taken to address weaknesses identified through partner due diligence
  • Coordinates/performs partner audits to ensure compliance with donor and Plan rules and regulations

External Audits and Reviews

  • Acts as a focal point for all external audits, facilitating timely provision of documents and information as required by external auditors/reviewers
  • Monitors actions taken by management in response to external audits and reviews, ensuring that all such actions are implemented and reported as agreed and on a timely basis

Risk Management

  • Acts as focal point for regular updates by management of the Country Risk Register
  • Tracks progress of agreed actions to mitigate risks
  • Identify areas of risk by providing regular analysis of financial health of projects against standard key performance indicators (KPIs) and develop strategies to mitigate these risks.
  • Continuously evaluate Projects Financial Risks and update Risk Registers as required for escalation to Management, including mitigation measures.
  • Child & Youth Safeguarding, Management Standards and Global Policies
  • Ensures that the global policies on Safeguarding Children & Young people,Management Standards and Global Policies are monitored and effectively implemented and that concerns are reported and managed in accordance with the appropriate procedures

KEY RELATIONSHIPS

Internal

  • Country Director
  • All CO staff including Managers/supervisors
  • Internal controllers and Global Assurance team in the region
  • NO program managers and compliance teams

External

  • Local NGO partners in the area of partner risk management
  • Relevant professional internal audit/risk management networks.

External Auditors

TECHNICAL EXPERTISE, SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE

Essential

  • At least 5 years’ experience in internal audit or related experience
  • Good analytical skills
  • Good interpersonal skills (open minded, pragmatic, diplomatic…)
  • Ability to remain calm and positive under pressure and in difficult situations
  • Ability to negotiate, persuade and influence
  • Good listener with strong advisory skills
  • Excellent communication skills (writing and speaking skills)Familiarity with Microsoft Word,
  • Excel and Powerpoint
  • Organised, methodical and meticulous.
  • Project management skills

Desirable

  • Professional qualification in accounting/auditing
  • First-hand experience and knowledge of working in development sector
  • Familiarity with project management and development sector donor requirements e.g. USAID, ECHO, EU,DFID, DFAT, UN etc
  • Knowledge of [country} legal and regulatory environment
  • Understanding of Risk Management concepts
  • Facilitation and coaching skills.

PLAN INTERNATIONAL’S VALUES IN PRACTICE

  • We are open and accountable
  • Promotes a culture of openness and transparency, including with sponsors and donors.
  • Holds self and others accountable to achieve the highest standards of integrity.
  • Consistent and fair in the treatment of people.
  • Open about mistakes and keen to learn from them.
  • Accountable for ensuring we are a safe organisation for all children, girls & young people
  • We strive for lasting impact
  • Articulates a clear purpose for staff and sets high expectations.
  • Creates a climate of continuous improvement, open to challenge and new ideas.
  • Focuses resources to drive change and maximise long-term impact, responsive to changed priorities or crises.
  • Evidence-based and evaluates effectiveness.
  • We work well together
  • Seeks constructive outcomes, listens to others, willing to compromise when appropriate.
  • Builds constructive relationships across Plan International to support our shared goals.
  • Develops trusting and ‘win-win’ relationships with funders, partners and communities.
  • Engages and works well with others outside the organization to build a better world for girls and all children.
  • We are inclusive and empowering
  • Seeks constructive outcomes, listens to others, willing to compromise when appropriate.
  • Builds constructive relationships across Plan International to support our shared goals.
  • Develops trusting and ‘win-win’ relationships with funders, partners and communities.
  • Engages and works well with others outside the organisation to build a better world for girls and all children.

PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT

This post is based at County Office which at present is a normal operational environment. However, the post-holder must be willing to travel at least 40% within the country.

LEVEL OF CONTACT WITH CHILDREN

Low level: low frequency of interaction with children.


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