Internal Audit & Compliance Specialist

Internal Audit & Compliance Specialist

Save the Children Colombia Rest of Nigeria (Nationwide) Confidential

• Minimum Qualification :

Job Description/Requirements

TITLE: Internal Audit & Compliance Specialist TEAM/PROGRAMME: Internal Control and Compliance LOCATION: Abuja/Nigeria GRADE: 3 CONTRACT LENGTH: Fixed Term (2-year renewable) Child Safeguarding Level 3: the role holder will have contact with children and/or young people either frequently (e.g. once a week or more) or intensively (e.g. four days in one month or more or overnight) because they work in country programs; or are visiting country programs; ore because they are responsible for implementing the police checking/vetting process staff. Role Purpose The Internal Audit & Compliance Specialist will work with the Internal Control and Compliance Manager to support compliance with all Save the Children and donor guidelines and policies. This will be done through evaluating the effectiveness of the governance, risk management and control systems in place in SC Nigeria. S/he will review, document and assess effectiveness of financial and operational controls over the SC Nigeria program administrative and project activities both at the country level and in field offices (incl. the north-eastern part of Nigeria). The Internal Audit & Control Specialist will undertake regular checks- process and management practice reviews, analyse records, reports, financial statements and program implementation to ascertain that adequate internal controls are in place to mitigate the risk of non-compliance with local laws, donor requirements and SCI policies and procedure. S/he will advise on additional controls to be put in place in any area of weakness identified to ensure the protection of the programmes assets, funds, reputation and compliance with applicable donor guidelines and policies. S/he will be involved in conducting reviews into dishonest practices or other code of conducted concerns as may be delegated by the management. Scope Of Role Reports to: Internal Control & Compliance Manager (IC&CM). Matrix to: Head, Internal Control & Compliance. Dimensions: Save the Children operates through 12 field bases (Kaduna, Katsina, Zamfara, Jigawa, Yobe, Borno, Ondo, Kano, Adamawa, Cross River and Benue. SC Nigeria is working with over 20 implementing partners implementing various donor funded project (including USAID) across the country. SC Nigeria has a total of over 500 staff with over 30 finance staff. SC Nigeria has about 42 active awards with a total of $40m/pa. The IC&C Specialist is expected to objectively collaborate with staff, programmes and functions in all locations to ensure seamless achievement of the overall organisational goal. Staff directly reporting to this post: None Staff Working Closely with: IC&C unit team, All Department Heads, Program Managers/Budget Holders, Area/Field Office Managers, all SCI Nigeria, and Global office staff, SCI Member staff, SCI Global Assurance department and Counter fraud team (as appropriate). Travels The position will be based in Abuja office but will be required to travel to various field locations for review and other IC&C related assignments. KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY

• On a sample basis, carry out a regularly reviews of financial, procurement/logistic, HR and program transactions and implementation, ensuring documentation supporting the transactions are in compliance with Save the Children policies and procedures, grant agreements and donor regulations both at the country and other field offices.
• Conducting spot-audits tests on donor requirement compliance in finance, Human resources, award, logistics, operations and programme (activities, documentation and reporting) in line with IAC annual work plan.
• Assist IC&C Manager in regularly updating in-country risk assessments and follow up to confirm implementation of mitigating measures.
• Work closely with programme development unit to further a risk aware and responsive culture in designing and developing potential high-risk awards and improving compliance culture on the existing awards.
• Plan, conduct and lead audits and follow up on all internal and external audit action plans and provide periodic updates on actions taken.
• Assist the IC&C Manager/Head, IC&C in ensuring SCI Global Assurance Audit findings are tracked and closed on the Diligent One audit management platform.
• Assist in performing internal control reviews of in-country processes including cash and advance management, procurement, logistics, Programs- implementation, documentation and reporting, Data quality Assurance of M& E (Monitoring and Evaluation) data source documents, stock (incl. food commodities), beneficiaries and food vendors management, assets management etc. (in line with the annual IAC work plan). Coordinate with the relevant departments to come up with actionable recommendations to improve any identified weaknesses.
• Track and age all reviews findings recommendations in line with the agreed implementation timelines and follow-up to confirm implemented actions.
• Work with the IC&C Manager to flag significant internal control weaknesses to the country management, with actionable recommendations to reinforce identified weak controls and support the monitoring of compliance with approved reinforcing controls.
• Prepare IC&C unit related reports/analysis for use by the IC&C manager/Head, IC&C as required.
• S/he will serve as a liaison for external audit and regulatory agencies as may be assigned.
• Lead on fraud investigations as may be assigned, diligently document all relevant evidence, and ensure report is consistent with SCI standards through the Internal Control & Compliance Manager/Head, IC&C to the Country Director and SCI Fraud team.
• Maintain good working relationships with all SCI stakeholders- staff, vendors, auditors, implementing partners) through effective communication and exercising professional conduct and objectivity.
• Deliver training as required to reinforce internal controls, risk management, fraud, bribery and corruption, and anti-terrorism financing awareness and prevention.
Carry out any other responsibility delegated within the role of the unit.

SAFEGUARDING OBJECTIVES

• Carry out spot-checks of vendor offices to ensure SCI Safeguarding policy is adhered to.
• Ensure that reference is made to safeguarding during DATIX demonstrations and trainings.
• Ensure that participants are encouraged to make safeguarding reports during trainings.
Flag non-compliance of safeguarding requirements to the safeguarding team.

BEHAVIOURS (Values in Practice) Accountability

• Holds self-accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving and role modelling Save the Children values.
Holds the team and partners accountable to deliver on their responsibilities - giving them the freedom to deliver in the best way they see fit, providing the necessary development to improve performance and applying appropriate consequences when results are not achieved.

Ambition

• Sets ambitious and challenging goals for themselves and their team, takes responsibility for their own personal development and encourages their team to do the same.
• Widely shares their personal vision for Save the Children, engages and motivates others.
Future orientated, thinks strategically and on a global scale.

Collaboration

• Builds and maintains effective relationships, with their team, colleagues, Members, and external partners and supporters.
• Values diversity sees it as a source of competitive strength.
Approachable, good listener, easy to talk to.

Creativity

• Develops and encourages new and innovative solutions.
Willing to take disciplined risks.

Integrity

Honest, encourages openness and transparency; demonstrates highest levels of integrity.

Essential QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• A graduate of finance, accounting or a related business field is required with professional qualification (ACA, ACCA, CIA or CPA).
• 7 years+ related work experience, with minimum of 3 years+ related working experience in a not-for-profit organization in related capacity.
• Strong background in compliance accounting and internal controls; experience in auditing (internal or external experience).
• Extensive experience in relevant operational areas (e.g. in programme/project management in an INGO context) and experience of risk-based auditing.
• Be highly accurate, detail-orientated, and able to complete multiple projects, with conflicting priorities, on a timely basis.
• Excellent report English writing skills.
• Proven interpersonal and communication skills including influencing, negotiation, and relationship building.
• Strong cultural awareness and be able to work well in an international environment with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures.
• Demonstrate standards of ethics and integrity.
Commitment to Save the Children values.

Desirable

• INGO experience or have worked in a commercial/public sector international organisation.
• Familiarity with grant requirements of major donors such as BHA/USAID, EC/ECHO, UNICEF, OFDA, FCDO and the UN.
• Good financial analysis aptitude.
• Experience of Agresso financial software or other ERP software.
• Counter fraud and investigation experience.
Ability to look at the bigger picture when assessing organisational performance and risk.

The Organization Education We employ approximately 25,000 people across the globe and work on the ground in over 100 countries to help children affected by crises, or those that need better healthcare, education and child protection. We also campaign and advocate at the highest levels to realise the right of children and to ensure their voices are heard. We are working towards three breakthroughs in how the world treats children by 2030:

• No child dies from preventable causes before their 5th birthday
• All children learn from a quality basic education and that,
Violence against children is no longer tolerated

We know that great people make a great organization, and that our employees play a crucial role in helping us achieve our ambitions for children.We value our people and offer a meaningful and rewarding career, along with a collaborative and inclusive workplace where ambition, creativity, and integrity are highly valued. Application Information Please apply using a cover letter and up-to-date CV as a single document. Please also include details of your current remuneration and salary expectations. A copy of the full role profile can be found at www.savethechildren.net/jobs We need to keep children safe so our selection process reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse.

• Job Identification 11372
• Job Category Finance
• Posting Date 01/14/2025, 10:16 AM
• Apply Before 01/28/2025, 10:16 AM
• Job Schedule Full time
Locations CO - Abuja

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