Compliance Manager at Oxfam

Ref. No.: 2244
Location: Abuja, Nigeria (with frequent travel to the field offices in the North East)
Employment Type: Full-time
Duration: 12 months with a possibility to extend

Job Description

• This is a senior level role with huge autonomy. As a strong advisory person, it requires someone who is technically strong and has great networking skills to manage the compliance in the Organisation.
• Reporting to the Country Director to ensure that Oxfam maintains the integrity of all business operations/ transactions and activities through the development, implementation and continuous monitoring of the risk management and the control framework (systems, structures, policies and procedures).
• This is achieved by providing periodic appraisal of Oxfam policies, procedures, plans, donor contract guidelines compliance within various functional areas.
• The job holder will monitor actions agreed to address areas of high risk and/or control lapses observed.
• This position also advises the Leadership Team on fraud-prevention and integrity issues.

Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities
Strategic:

• Accountable for the delivery of business systems, procedures and processes to enable the delivery of the risk and compliance strategy and objectives, in line with agreed key performance indicators and ensuring service level agreements are met where applicable.
• Has delegated authority for decision making around risk and compliance matters, and is accountable for managing responses to internal audit and enquiries from external regulatory bodies.
• Provides direction and strategic leadership for organizational change and development processes with a particular focus on ensuring that the business support functions (Finance, Supply and Logistics, Human Resources and ICT) adequately support the program teams.
• Establishes and/or refine and disseminate policies, systems and practices and provide and/or arranges for training and guidance for effective management, supply and logistics activities, disbursement and accounting for all financial resources in line with Oxfam global accounting policies, donor requirements and local law where required.
• Ensures business support processes align with Oxfam in country Strategic Objectives and can be accomplished in an efficient manner.
• Ensures shared understanding of, and creates organisation-wide awareness about, the various risks inherent in Oxfam’s business context and operations and works with various employee groups to develop and execute effective risk mitigation strategies
• Develop internal audit/Compliance tools (paperwork, checklist, standards, audit report template, internal control survey questionnaires, physical counts, tools/checklist etc).
• Verify and prepare audit closure status and progress report for the management and SMT review, collect and arrange audit closure exhibits and submit the reviewed audit closure status/progress reports.
• Support the Country Business Support Unit in the establishment of a practical system for compliance risk prevention, detection and correction in financial transactions, fraud, waste and abuse
• Design audit procedures based on assessment of internal controls and risk assessment and determine if controls as designed and implemented enable management to prevent, detect, or correct misstatements
• Facilitates the evolution of a strong and effective risk management culture across the organisation to ensure all business activities are carried out in accordance with Oxfam policies, relevant industry regulations, country laws and risk management standards.

Resourcing, Budgeting, Financial Analysis and Donor Reporting:

• Works in close coordination with the Program Managers and the Business Development Manager to ensure full adherence to the grant management rules and donor compliance standards. In coordination with Program Managers, prepare and track donor budgets and prepare modifications and activity realignments as necessary
• In coordination with Program Managers and other unit heads, monitor performance and efficiency of on-going donor projects by analyzing country/project monthly spend rates and highlighting possible problem areas.
• Validates monthly cost analysis and update cost ratios to ensure each donor bears the correct proportion of costs.
• Tracks and reviews Supply Plans and resource planning and follow up in consultation with Supply and Logistics team, budget holders and finance team
• Tracks and reviews budgets in consultation with budget holders and finance team; conducts detailed activity status review and give input to CD and budget holders.
• Designs and maintains internal systems that ensure accurate and timely reporting on financial and program performance.
• Supports with integration of systems and provide project management support, as required.

Internal & External Audit Support:

• Supports preparation and successful conclusion of internal and external auditing activities, including fraud-prevention and integrity for the Country Director (CD), the Leadership Team, Oxfam HQ and for the donor annual audit reporting.
• Conducts ad-hoc and confidential investigations on control breaches, as may be necessary from time to time.
• Reviews management comments for audit reports and work with CD to monitor progress on work plans for implementation of audit recommendations from internal and external audits.
• Carry out financial/ compliance risk assessment of financial and organisational systems of partner organisations according to Oxfam’s partner assessment tools, in line with donor requirements.
• Evaluates the adequacy of controls in the company's computing and communications systems
• Appraises in close collaboration with the Business Development Manager the economy, efficiency and effectiveness with which company resources are deployed.
• Reviews systems and procedures across all business areas and recommending improvements to existing processes and procedures, where appropriate
• In coordination with HR and the Finance Unit, oversee accurate and timely payroll generation
• Appraises the extent of compliance by various functional areas with policies, procedures, plans and legislation and monitoring actions agreed to address areas of high risk and/or control lapses observed.

Legal Risk Management and Statutory Compliance:

• In collaboration with Oxfam Legal Counsel and HQ, minimize legal risk to the organization and support to alleviate legal issues confronting the organization.
• Reviews and tests controls to ensure that Oxfam in Country systems are compliant with Oxfam Global policies, donor requirements, as well as local labour and procurement laws.
• Ensures prompt preparation and submission of all statutory returns, reports and tax compliance.

Donor and Partner Management:

• Ensures that the program team have a thorough understanding of donors’ administrative and financial requirements pre and post award.
• Develops and maintains effective partner grants and reports monitoring system, ensures adherence to Oxfam policies and procedures.
• Participates in partner meetings to fully understand the context and operating environment; ensures a positive, open and conducive relationship with partners.

Leadership, Coordination and Capacity Building:

• Contribute to training programs that can continuously improve individual and organizational capacity related to funds accountability, ethics and compliances.
• Supports induction and training of new staff on donor contract management, and Oxfam’s systems, policies and procedures. This may include leading face-to face and / or remote training when required.
• Develops self, and maintains knowledge and awareness of Oxfam’s strategic objectives and international operations and an understanding of the implications of this on donor compliance issues.

Job Requirements
Essential:

• Advanced University Degree (Master's Degree or equivalent) in Finance, Economics, Business Administration, Project Management or other relevant discipline. A relevant work experience may be considered.
• Qualified/certified/member of an Accounting or Audit professional body.
• Minimum of 8 years progressively responsible positions in an INGO finance/audit operations team with at least 5 years experience of managing compliance.
• Proven knowledge of donor regulations, including Global Fund, EU/ECHO, UNHCR, DFID, SIDA, USAID, etc.
• Strong analytical skills and experience with accounting systems required. Strong working of Ms. Word, Excel, Access)
• Proven ability to influence activity at a senior level, taking initiative and working independently as well work as a team player; demonstrably cooperation with members of other teams, responding quickly and accurately to queries and issues.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (written and verbal English) and the ability to write clear, concise reports.
• A strong commitment to high standards of service delivery and customer care.
• Good organisational and personal management skills, with ability to prioritise work issues to meet deadlines with minimal supervision and adjust to constantly changing situations while maintaining focus on delivery and follow-through.
• Well-developed conceptual, critical, problem solving and analytical thinking with the ability to convey complex information in a straightforward, interesting way, and influencing this to a wider audience.
• Willingness and ability to travel within country 60% of the time.
• Strong experience with Oxfam business systems including GL, OPAL, CRIMSON, GOLD, TRACKPOINT and HELIOS will be an advantage
• Proven leadership, project management and team building skills, including training, giving support and recognising expertise in others.
• Commitment to Oxfam’s overall aims and policies and experience of promoting women’s rights and the interests of marginalized people in all aspects of Oxfam’s work.
• Knowledge or appreciation of Nigeria in terms of its political, economic and social trends plus a good understanding of the key development and humanitarian issues in the region.

Desirable:

• Knowledge and / or experience of common Oxfam norms objects, standards and tools

What we Offer

• Oxfam (Novib) is committed to providing you with a competitive, fair, and comprehensive pay and benefits package that is justifiable to our donors. The international salary range for this position is set in scale 9 with a salary range between €2962, to €4557, - monthly gross based on 40 hours a week.