Verification Officer at Creative Associates International

Jobv Ref: VERIF01741
Location: Abuja, Nigeria
Job Type: Full-Time

Position Summary

• The Verification Officer will independently develop and lead internal reviews of compliance with Creative, USAID, and government policies, procedures, and regulations.
• The Verification Officer plays a central and critical role in Creative’s internal control system, designed to prevent fraud, waste, and abuse. As required, the Verification Officer will execute investigations into allegations of fraud, waste and abuse.
• The Verification Officer must be able to travel frequently throughout West Africa, including Senegal, Nigeria, and Cote d’Ivoire, and to any other location where the program is implementing activities.  

Reporting and Supervision:

• The Verification Officer will report to the Chief of Party (COP).

Primary Responsibilities
General Tasks:

• Perform professional internal reviews and verification of compliance with Creative, USAID, and governmentpolicies, procedures, and regulations;
• Conduct performance, financial, and compliance reviews of Creative activities and operations;
• Support procurement team to review bid evaluations, as required;
• Support the human resources staff to review candidate qualifications and education history, as required;
• Serve as the focal point for any reviews and internal audits;
• Provide trainings on Creative internal controls, policies and procedures, code of conduct, ethical standards, and independent reporting line; 
• Work under the supervision of the Chief of Party and collaborate closely with HQ Program and Security teams.  

Compliance:

• Support the COP to identify and mitigate risks of waste, fraud, or abuse;
• Interact regularly with Creative program and operations staff to understand and assess risks;
• Provide accurate and timely information on any financial, managerial, and operating risks;
• Ensure employees’ actions are in compliance withpolicies, standards, procedures, and applicable laws and regulations;
• Review that goods and services acquired to support Creative’s program and operations are acquired in a cost-effectivemanner, used efficiently, and adequately protected against theft and/or misuse.
• Encourage continuous improvement and compliance with Creative’s internal control processes;
• Identify and communicate any legal, compliance, and regulatory issues which could impact Creative’s operations and activities and support the COP to quickly address these;
• Develop a flexible annual plan for internal review of compliance using appropriate risk-based methodology, including any risks or control concerns identified by the COP and/or Operations Manager;
• Ensure adherence to procedures for documenting compliance with financial and administrative policies and procedures;
• Ensure adherence to Creative’s internal control systems and procedures for tracking and safeguarding the project’s assets;
• Verify the authenticity of transactions posted to Creative’s accounting system as required;
• Ensure adequacy of appropriate controls on collection, storage and access to important financial data and sensitive information;
• Plan and carry out internal reviews of financial procedures to ensure compliance;
• Identify training gaps related to compliance and provide training for improving efficiency of groups/individuals;
• Implement the annual internal review plan, as approved, including any special tasks or projects requested by the COP and/or Creative home office; 
• Serve as an advisor to the COP, Operations Manager, and Creative Home Office and assist management by conducting, designing improved processes and system;
• Issue periodic reports, as determined, to the Chief of Party and/or Home Office.
• Assist the COP and Creative home office staff, in the investigation of suspected fraudulent activities by Creative staff and/or its local partners; 
• Conduct desk compliance interviews, review documents, and compose memos on compliance reviews;
• Draft written reports for and make presentations on the results of compliance reviews to the COP and Creative home office staff, as requested; and
• Perform any other duties and tasks as needed and assigned. 

Required Skills and Qualifications

• University Degree in relevant field such as Finance, Accounting or Business, is required;
• Master's Degree in finance, accounting, or auditing and chartered public accountant certification preferred;
• Minimum of four (4) years of general work history is required;
• Minimum of two (2) years’ work experience working in risk assessment, internal audit, and/or external audit required;
• Minimum of one (1) year of management experience required;
• Chartered Accountant, Certified Public Accountant & certified Internal audit strongly preferred;
• Knowledge of audit procedures, including planning, techniques, test, sampling methods and computerized accounting and auditing record keeping systems;
• Ability to gather, analyze and evaluate facts and to prepare and present concise oral and written reports;
• Ability to assess the financial and administrative management of program activities including budget management and procurement;
• Prior experience with USAID or U.S. Government funded projects is highly desirable;
• Ability to establish and retain effective working relationships with other staff and to communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing;
• Experience in developing and implementing compliance programs across complex organizations with multiple software and automated systems;
• In-depth knowledge of regional employment, tax, accounting, procurement, and other relevant laws is a plus;
• Good communication and interpersonal skills;
• Problem solving, stress management and time management skills;
•  Proficient at using Microsoft office software: MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc.  Prior experience using accounting software and web-based financial management systems preferred;
• Excellent judgment and interpersonal skills;
• Excellent record keeping and documentation skills;
• Written and spoken proficiency in French and English required;
• Ability to work under pressure and efficiently handle multiple tasks; and
• Ability to work both independently and as a part of a team.