Job Description
Position Type: Full Time
Area of Interest: Risk Management
Location: Nairobi, Kenya
Background:
East Africa region is one of the largest regions in the agency and manages over 30% of the agency’s resources. The level of investment poses inherent operational and compliance risks that need to be promptly identified and managed.
Primary Function:
The role of the RTA/Risk Management and Systems Review position focuses on Risk Management at the regional, country program and partner levels, and coordinating risk management efforts with country-based compliance/audit functions. The position assists the regional and country level management to develop, analyze and implement systems which allows the agency to increase operational efficiency, promote competitive niche in different operational areas within an environment of compliance and adequate Risk Management. The Position assists the Country Programs and the Region to develop the capacity to proactively manage Risk. The RTA/Risk Management will also be instrumental in regional and country-level capacity-building in identification, assessment and management of all categories of risks identified in CRS’ Risk Disclosure Report, Internal Audit reports and through Risk Assessments. The RTA/Risk Management will liaise with the DRD/MQ, RFO, MPI, and Internal & External Auditors in the coordination of major donor and country-level audits.
The RTA – Risk Management will lead a regional internal audit team with specific responsibilities for CP internal audits, risk management, fraud investigations and capacity building. RTA risk management will be the link with HQ Internal Audit.
Specific Job Responsibilities:
I. Risk Management
- Serve as a resource person on compliance and audit issues for EARO (across all projects) Develop comprehensive annual compliance review plan covering all areas of risk (identified in the Risk Disclosure Report) for regional management approval.
- Be the lead person on Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) for the region.
- Coordinate compliance trainings (start up workshop) for large grants in a consortium structures and/or grants that involve several partners. This is to ensure full awareness of compliance requirements by the consortium.members or partners right from the start of the award.
- Lead the internal audit team and Country Level Compliance Management team to ensure comprehensive internal audits and compliance reviews and ensure that systems are implemented which ensures that all instances of non-compliance are identified, reported and corrected.
- Develop in collaboration with CP management Risk registers, and review the same.
- Prepare quarterly Risk Disclosure Reports for EARO ensuring that significant risks are captured and reported. Provide feedback to the RD, RFO, RTA-HR, RTA- Commodities & Security, RISA, DRD-PQ and DRD-MQ (depending on the type of Program and the area of the program) if significant risks in the country programs were not captured and reported.
- Point person at the regional office for fraud reporting. Take investigation assignments as and when needs arise, assess and evaluate systemic and operational factors contributing to the problem and offer actionable recommendations. Develop Scopes of Work for CP investigations
- Actively Network with other International Humanitarian agencies including Transparency International and keep the Regional Management aware of what is happening in the field of Risk Management in the humanitarian field as a whole and in East Africa Region in particular.
II. Internal Control Assessments
- Review Internal Control Assessment systems in coordination with the RFO and DRD-MQ to validate assessment coverage, process and ratings have been performed as prescribed in the Internal Control Policy.
- Give opinion on adequacy of internal control structures of the country programs and their capacity to fully comply with applicable laws, donor requirements and CRS policies and procedures.
- In collaboration with country program management, plan and perform internal audits, onsite reviews and capacity assessments of large grant recipients (local partners and A-133 filing agencies). This involves review and assessment of management structures (segregation of duties) and evaluation of internal control systems, financial, property and records management, etc.
- Manage the EARO Risk management SharePoint.
III. Audit Follow-Up
- Create and maintain audit report files for all country program internal and external reports on the SharePoint
- Promptly follow up to close audit recommendations in collaboration with country level MQ Coordinators. This involves participation in the development of audit closure action plans and follow-up to ensure timely submission of responses to the HQ Internal Audit Department.
- Provide summarized quarterly audit status report to RD, RFO and DRD-MQ.
IV. Systems, Policy and Institutional Strengthening support
- Support MPI development and roll out of Risk Management Strategy for the agency.
- Maintain links with the MPI Unit. Regularly consult with MPI to obtain its input for policy and procedure additions or revisions.
- Actively support creation of a risk management community of practice and help establish links with internal audit
- Work with the DRD/MQ and RFO to develop trainings for Compliance Officers and other MQ staff on compliance, systems and internal control issues.
- Work with Institutional Development team to develop, deliver and disseminate training strategies, curricula, and learning materials on compliance and finance issues as required.
- Review, assist and update project plans related to the rollout of new processes and systems.
- Acquire and maintain a working knowledge of the prevailing policies and procedures issued by other HQ Departments, particularly those that interface with Finance, such as Purchasing, the Overseas Support Department’s Management, Policy & Information Unit (MPI), Human Resources, the Office of Legal Counsel, and Archives Management and provide feedback on their policies and procedures, when requested.
V. Support and Assistance
- Assist EARO countries and provide onsite support for major audit preparation.
- Provide technical assistance (orientation/induction, training and other supports) to country level compliance teams.
- Standardise compliance review process by developing guidelines, review tools, working papers and reporting formats
- Provide other support and technical assistance, as requested, in the areas of risk management and compliance.
CRS Agency-Wide Competencies
These competencies apply to all CRS staff and are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of Catholic Relief Services.
- · Serves with Integrity
- · Models Stewardship
- · Develops Constructive Relationships
- · Promotes Learning
Supervisory Responsibilities: None
Key Working Relationships:
Internal: Regional Finance Officer, DRD-MQ, Country Representatives, Country Program Finance Managers, AIDSRelief Operations, MPI, Internal Audit, Regional Teams, Regional Directors, HQ/Finance Department, and the Management Quality Community
External: InsideNGO members, Transparency International, IIA, ACFE, CRS’ A-133 partners
Qualifications and Personal Skills:
- BA Accounting Degree or equivalent; CIA/CMA/CPA/MBA preferred
- Minimum five years of progressively increasing responsibility in development programming
- At least five years compliance/audit, risk management of finance management experience as a team leader.
- Ability to transfer knowledge and provide technical assistance, training to CPs
- Knowledge of A133 regulations and other compliance regulations required
- Knowledge of CRS’ accounting systems, policies & procedures (preferred)
- · Excellent oral and written communication skills, and good interpersonal skills
- · Ability to provide exceptional customer service while managing multiple priorities
- · Strong accounting and support systems knowledge
- · Capacity to see the big picture, but with an attention to factual details
- · Persistence to do whatever it takes to provide a finished, professional product
- · Capability of working proactively and independently
- · Receptiveness to constructive criticism and differences of opinion
- · Flexibility, ability to adapt, willingness to compromise, open-mindedness. Excellent English language skills. Professional proficiency in French, Spanish or Portuguese.
Disclaimer Clause: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skills, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.
NOTE: Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.
