Internal Control, Risk & Compliance Lead at Food Health Systems Advisory (FHSA)

Role Summary

• The Internal Control, Risk & Compliance Lead plays a central role in strengthening FHSA’s financial control frameworks, commercial risk management, and governance systems.
• The role ensures that FHSA operates within robust internal controls, sound risk management practices, and appropriate compliance frameworks. It also provides direct support to corporate governance processes, including Advisory Board operations, internal policies, and ethical standards.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Controls & Commercial Risk

• Design, review, and monitor financial control frameworks across the business
• Assess risks related to revenue recognition, project costing, margins, and cash flow
• Review the effectiveness of controls around billing, payments, approvals, and reconciliations
• Identify financial and operational risk exposures and escalate issues appropriately
• Support audit readiness and financial assurance processes

Risk Management

• Maintain and regularly update the firm’s enterprise risk register
• Identify and assess financial, operational, contractual, and reputational risks
• Conduct risk assessments related to growth, new clients, and entry into new markets
• Track mitigation actions and provide regular risk updates to senior management

Compliance & Contract Oversight

• Review client contracts, funded projects, and third-party agreements for control and compliance implications
• Monitor compliance with contractual, regulatory, and statutory requirements
• Maintain compliance calendars and obligation trackers
• Support external audits, due diligence processes, and client assurance requests

SOPs, Policies & Governance

• Serve as custodian of internal policies and governance documentation
• Ensure policies and processes remain fit for purpose as the firm scales
• Lead the development, documentation, and maintenance of SOPs across:

Finance and payments

• Procurement and contracting
• HR and people operations
• Governance and approvals

Board & Corporate Governance Support

Provide Advisory Board support, including:

• Coordinating Board and committee meetings
• Preparing agendas, board papers, and supporting materials
• Recording minutes, resolutions, and action points
• Maintaining governance records and conflict-of-interest disclosures

Ethics, Integrity & Accountability

• Maintain internal ethics and whistleblowing mechanisms
• Support investigations and issue escalation processes as required
• Promote a culture of financial discipline, accountability, and integrity across the firm

What the Role Does Not Do

• Does not approve payments or contracts
• Does not manage day-to-day finance, procurement, or HR operations
• Does not replace functional or operational managers

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field
• Strong finance or accounting background is required
• 5–7 years’ experience in internal controls, audit, risk management, compliance, or financial assurance
• Experience in consulting, professional services, advisory firms, or regulated for-profit environments preferred
• Professional certification is an advantage (ICAN, ACCA, or risk/compliance certification)

Personal Attributes

• Commercially minded and financially disciplined​
• Strong attention to detail and sound professional judgment
• Comfortable operating in a fast-growing, performance-driven organization
• Able to engage confidently and confidentially with senior management and Board members
• Systems-oriented, proactive, and discreet