Compliance Counsel – People, Talent, Legal & Ethics Team (London)

Job Description

ABOUT THE ROLE

This role sits within the People, Talent, Legal & Ethics Team. The Compliance Counsel will report into the Head of People, Talent, Legal & Ethics. The principal objective of the Compliance Counsel will be to ensure compliance with laws, regulations and commitments, including commitments made with third parties (e.g. contracts or other agreements) and internally (e.g. our Code of Conduct and company policies).

The primary responsibilities of the Compliance Counsel will be to manage the company’s compliance framework, lead on compliance reporting to clients, develop and provide training on key compliance polices, oversee all third party due diligence, oversee the ongoing compliance of overseas legal entities and to support all contract management. The post-holder will provide ad hoc legal support, acting as the interface with external advisers, and develop an internal legal support approach to meet current and future needs, ensuring that Adam Smith International offices in the UK and overseas protect the company and that staff have an excellent understanding of the ethical and legal framework in which they operate. The Compliance Counsel will also line manage our newly qualified in-house Legal Counsel.

Specific responsibilities include:

• Management of reporting to clients (e.g. government donors including the UK Government’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, the EU and the Australian Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade) on compliance matters including fraud, corruption, safeguarding and supply chain management
• Management of the compliance documentation for client contracts and downstream subcontractors
• Management of third party due diligence including monitoring the quality of the due diligence conducted by the business on its supply chain
• Oversight and maintenance of all compliance policies, updating policies to reflect legal or regulatory updates or to otherwise reduce compliance risk
• Oversight of the training framework on key compliance matters and rollout of compliance training

• Line management of ASI’s newly qualified Legal Counsel and support to this role on various compliance and contracting matters
• Supporting investigations and management of the whistleblowing log
• Regular reporting on compliance to the Executive Team and the Audit Committee
• Identification and assessment of material compliance risks associated with our UK and overseas operations
• Collaboration with colleagues to ensure that our commercial proposals give a good account of our approach to managing compliance, legal and reputational risk

• Ad hoc legal support, managing the solicitation and procurement of advice from external advisers as needed
• Development of an approach to providing internal legal support to meet current and future needs and leading the implementation of this approach
• Advice to colleagues on a wide range of legal and compliance matters
• Oversight of the UK and regional logs for any conflict of interest that is declared or raised
• With support from the Finance team and other cross-cutting functions, lead on raising awareness of fraud across the company and ensure that internal controls are in place, well understood and used

ABOUT YOU

We require an individual of the highest calibre with strong attention to detail to support the smooth running of day to day compliance and contracting issues. We look for people empowered to overcome challenges with a ‘can do’ attitude tempered with insight and pragmatism. Each team member is carefully selected, based not just on their technical ability, but on their proven experience. It is this combination that ensures we deliver real societal impact and measurable results beyond those anticipated.

You should have demonstrated ability to build productive relationships with people from a wide range of professional and cultural backgrounds and the ability to work effectively within a dynamic team environment.

Adam Smith International seeks the following skills and experience:

• UK qualified Solicitor
• At least 4 years of post-qualification experience, ideally both in private practice and a commercial in-house environment
• Compliance experience in either anti-bribery & corruption, counter fraud or third party due diligence is essential
• A constructive, enabling approach to working with colleagues across the business
• Experience in supporting international businesses on strategic level transactions and issues

• A basic understanding of the international development sector is desirable but not essential
• Excellent communication skills, written and verbally
• Excellent organisation skills
• Strong knowledge of legal compliance as well as regulatory developments
• Commercial awareness

• Computer literacy with Microsoft Office products
• Strong attention to detail
• Respect for confidentiality, trustworthy, reliable, and accountable
• Proactive, self-starter, resourceful
• Achievement oriented and determination to complete work

• Ability to work under pressure and to tight timelines

You must be eligible to work in the UK.

WHAT WE OFFER YOU

As an employee-owned company, our people are at the heart of our strategy and our decisions. We offer a competitive salary and benefits package, a dynamic and friendly team environment, the opportunity to support a highly successful portfolio of programmes, and support to develop your skills and progress in your career.

The diversity of our workforce makes ASI a great place to work, more creative and resourceful, and underpins strong partnerships. We keep a sharp focus on diversity and inclusion, including through our Equality Action Plan and our Diversity and Inclusion Committee, and through leadership from our Executive Team and oversight by our Board.

We recognise the importance of your life outside of work. We are proud to support flexible working arrangements and commit to make a success of flexible working arrangements wherever possible. We’ve built a culture to reflect our values, full of likeminded professionals who are smart, passionate and great at what they do.

READY TO APPLY?

We would love to hear from you. Please submit a CV (no more than 2 pages) and short cover letter with the subject line ‘Compliance Counsel’ to recruitment.asi@adamsmithinternational.com.

Deadline for Applications will on a rolling basis, however a deadline of February 25th 2021 is preferred.

Shortlisted applicants only will be contacted.

Thank you for your consideration.

ASI is committed to continually improving the diversity of our workforce through the attraction, retention and development of a diverse range of talented people. We want people to be comfortable bringing their whole self to work and recognise that inclusion brings further opportunities for innovation and creativity.

About the Organization

Adam Smith International is a global advisory company that works locally to transform lives by making economies stronger, societies safer, and governments more effective. We work on behalf of governments, foundations and companies that share our ambition to take on the big challenges facing the world. They come to us to develop strategies and to design, deliver and evaluate programmes that, in turn, stimulate growth, stability and good governance.

For nearly three decades in almost 100 countries, we have been working in partnership with governments, the private sector and civil society in countries at all stages of development.

Our core team of staff and technical experts, in multiple offices around the world, ensures the quality of delivery and high ethical standards that we and our clients require. We bring together a global network of specialist experts, who contribute their experience and know-how, where and when it is needed.

ASI is owned and operated by its employees. We are committed to corporate integrity and a triple bottom line of social, environmental and financial performance.