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Job Title: Risk and Compliance Officer

Organisation: ACORD-U (Agency for Cooperation in Research and Development – Uganda)

Duty Station:  Uganda

Reports to: Country Director

About US:

ACORD-U (Agency for Cooperation in Research and Development – Uganda) is an indigenous Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) working for social justice and development. ACORD has been working in Uganda since 1979 with operations in over 25 districts across Uganda. The ACORD-U works in conjunction with people who have been denied their basic rights, helping to better understand, to challenge, and to change the situation in which they find themselves.

Job Summary: Relationship with others: The Risk and Compliance officer will report to the Country Director and will work under the direction and guidance of the Chief of Party. He/she will work in close collaboration with the Finance and Operations Director, DCoP, Specialists and members of the Senior Management Team.

This position will ensure that ACORD conducts its business processes in compliance with laws and policies and regulations, professional standards, and accepted business practices. The Risk and compliance Specialist will be advising the management on possible risks that might occur in the project implementation. The major task of Risk and compliance Specialist is to uphold the ethical integrity of ACORD and also ensure that project activities are conducted using a regulatory framework. The Risk and compliance Specialist will conduct compliance and risk assessment.

This Position will ensure that effective controls are in place and functioning that safeguard the use of all project resources; financial, material and human resources; will mitigate the risk of fraud or misuse of project funds and assets; will validate and review program activity implementation and will help improve and strengthen overall financial, operational and human resource management

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

The Risk and Compliance specialist will undertake, but not be limited to, the following essential functions:

Compliance management

• Develop and operationalize risk and compliance assessment tools and facilitate the implementation across all project activities and the field offices.
• Conduct project reviews, compliance checks and present reports to the Chief of Party.
• Follow up of the resolutions of any identified compliance deficiencies and audit recommendations
• Monitor non-compliance and escalate any issues to ACORD management where non-compliance is not addressed.
• Review, report and advise on the degree of compliance exercised in regard to ACORD and USAIDs rules, regulations and policies.
• Plan and coordinate risk and compliance reviews at the country office to mitigate risk and ensure compliance with the Donor and Foundation laid down policies and procedures by establishing a country office risk & compliance management work plan and work with line managers to effect it.
• Share updates with management on related applicable policies, procedures, rules, and regulations to ensure compliance and risk mitigation in course of implementing activities
• Develop an effective Compliance & Ethics training program, including appropriate introductory training for new employees as well as ongoing training for all employees and managers
• Stay abreast of donor policies, procedures, rules and regulations, Uganda legal requirements, and inform ACORD management of significant changes
• Support Activity to maintain awareness and understanding of compliance by conducting ethics trainings for both new and old staff to ensure that a culture of compliance is established.

Risk Management

• Develop and regularly update a risk matrix; follow up on risk matrix findings to improve the control environment and reduce risks associated with the project Activity.
• Ensure that effective internal controls are in place to prevent and detect fraud, misappropriation of funds and assets; and misapplication of policies and procedures.
• Test whether the controls in place respond to the risks identified.
• Recommend improvements for effective internal control mechanisms and ensure adherence to the Uganda Country Handbook and the Policies and Procedures Manual, and Government of Uganda Laws and Regulations

Internal Control Testing

• Review accounting records for adequacy of documentation, safekeeping and ease of availability; and conduct periodic visits to Project’s field offices to review accounting records and systems and make appropriate recommendations.
• Review the adequacy of and provide recommendations on internal control systems in regard to procurement; management of supplies and equipment; fixed assets; fleet management; supply stores records; taxes (compliance with Uganda law and timeliness of payment); advances; cash and bank controls; information technology; participant training; human resources; travel and advances.
• Design and implement an appropriate monitoring tool and schedule to verify the accuracy and validity of planned payees and training participants.

Audits, Reporting and Communication

• Prepare concise reports detailing findings, risks and recommendations for all internal audits carried out.
• Ensure that recommendations from the internal audit report are implemented in good time and if necessary, organize training to fill any gaps.
• Facilitate and coordinate with annual external audit and follow-up on audit recommendations.
• Organize and conduct regular internal orientations to staff on policies e.g., fraud policy, whistle blower policy, conflict of interest and USAID rules and regulations as well as any policy changes/updates
• Identify weaknesses, challenges and propose solutions to improve systems, processes and finance/operations tools. Provide feedback, share best practices.
• Coordinate both internal and external audits with either Finance or Programs/Operations to ensure timely responses to requests and update management on issues raised by auditors during the audit.
• Do timely office lead fraud and suspected fraud investigation in collaboration with all relevant stakeholders and submit report to management with recommendations for action.

Other: Perform other relevant duties as required by the supervisor.

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Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

• The ideal applicant must hold an advanced university degree in the area of finance, science, audit, accounting or any related field is preferred;
• A Bachelor’s degree in the area of finance, science, audit, accounting or any related field.
• Familiarity with USAID regulations and policies, Government of Uganda tax and employment laws;
• Exceptional analytical, investigative, and organizational skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Able to prepare effective presentations and reports;
• Proven ability to work collaboratively with a diverse team of professionals;
• Ability to manage multiple, time-sensitive tasks professionally and with high quality;
• Excellent written and oral communication skills;
• Proficient in MS Office Suite applications, especially Excel and Word.
• Proficiency in online accounting software, especially QuickBooks.
• Must be able to work within a cross cultural setting, negotiate diplomatically, and function well under pressure;
• Ability to work hands-on and independently in a difficult work environment
• Willingness to travel to regions covered by the project.
• At least five years of progressively responsible experience in projects in areas of financial compliance, audit, internal audit, accounting, and risk management at the national or international level with a Master degree or 7 years of experience with a Bachelor’s degree.
• Working knowledge of classical compliance techniques and tools including problem solving, corrective action and auditing.
• Experience in applying audit and compliance principles to NGO settings;
• Experience in the use of Navision accounting software packages preferably Navision accounting systems is desirable.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills is preferable.
• Good knowledge of donor organizations and experience in working with Public Institutions would be an asset
• Fluency in English is required.

How to Apply:

All qualified and interested candidates should send CV and Application Letter to hr@acorduganda.org to apply.

Deadline: 4^th November 2022 by 5:00pm

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