The International Rescue Committee responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, IRC offers life-saving care and life-changing assistance to refugees forced to flee from war or disaster. At work today in more than 40 countries and in 22 U.S. cities, IRC restores safety, dignity and hope to millions who are uprooted by conflict or disaster. IRC leads the way from harm to home.
CONTEXTUAL BACKGROUND
Iraq is emerging from over three years of civil war against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) and remains one of the most complex operating environments in the world. The devastating human consequences to huge numbers of people will endure for decades and the destruction of communities, livelihoods, homes and infrastructure will take years to repair. Over 6 million Iraqis have been internally displaced since the conflict erupted in 2014. Two out of five Iraqis who returned home lack adequate housing, jobs and access to basic services.
A lead responder in Iraq since 2003, the IRC delivers aid and services that help communities survive, recover, and gain control of their future. The IRC is providing robust programming across five governorates through women’s protection and empowerment, child protection and protection and rule of law programming; cash distributions and livelihoods programming in support of economic recovery and development; integrated early childhood development programming as well as governance programming. Our work spans emergency response to long-term programming supporting our clients to rebuild their lives while partnering with local civil society and stakeholders.
JOB OVERVIEW
The Compliance Coordinator will support the country leadership team to oversee internal controls and compliance functions across all offices in the country and ensuring all sub-grantees/partners are compliant with IRC’s and its donors’ rules and regulations. The Compliance Coordinator will work across functions to ensure that a control environment is in place and standard operating procedures and IRC policies are followed by all staff and organizational partners. Where weaknesses in controls or application of controls are identified, the Compliance Coordinator will recommend actions to remedy situations in coordination with the Country Director (CD) and the Senior Management Team (SMT).
In collaboration with the SMT, the Compliance Coordinator will work with colleagues and field offices to create a culture reflecting the high ethical standards of IRC. The Compliance Coordinator will ensure effective complaint mechanisms are established, accessible, and known to all staff and partners. If an allegation of fraud or unethical behavior becomes known, the Compliance Coordinator will inform the Ethics and Compliance Unit (ECU) immediately –if it has not already reported- and act as the main liaison for the country program with the ECU. In situations where investigations are required, the Compliance Coordinator will report to the ECU and provide documentation, access, or, if so directed, conduct the investigation under ECU’s guidance and according to ECU’s standards and protocols.
MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES
- Prevention: Internal controls and compliance
- Conduct annual compliance reviews of IRC, partners, and sub-partner activities to assess adequacy and effectiveness of internal controls, risk management and compliance to selected policies, procedures, and regulations.
- Produce internal annual reports with findings and issues identified during the compliance review, give appropriate recommendations on improvements to the country program and related partners’ processes, systems, and procedures where appropriate.
- Training
- Act as the focal point for IRC and donor fraud and anti-corruption policies and lead effective communication and training of these policies to IRC and partner organization staff.
- Coordinate with and support ECU on ethics and compliance training on IRC Way concerns, Anti-Fraud, and reporting mechanisms.
- Misconduct Allegations and Investigations
- Serve as the focal point with ECU for all identified allegations and investigations.
- Report directly to the ECU for ongoing investigations.
- Assist in conducting investigations with guidance from the ECU on a case-by-case basis including but not limited to:
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- Undertaking investigations of alleged fraud, waste, financial corruption, and misconduct, ensuring objectivity, impartiality, and fairness throughout investigative processes – Preparing investigative reports and ad hoc briefs pertaining to ECU investigations – Undertaking investigation assignments or discrete tasks in-country at the direction of the ECU – Assisting ECU while on “missions” to the Iraq Country Program
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- Maintain a record of investigations and supporting documents.
- Coordinate and act as the focal person for investigations by the ECU.
- Other
- Stay informed of and ensure adherence to IRC and donor procedures and policies in relation to Supply Chain, Finance, HR and Programs as set out in relevant IRC manuals and guidelines.
- Review and advise the Country Director in collaboration with AMU and compliance officers on large contracts and MoUs, service agreements and other contractual agreements prior to signing.
- Perform other tasks as requested by the CD from time to time.
KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS
Position Reports to: Iraq Country Director (responsibilities 1, 2, 4); and to ECU on Misconduct Allegations and Investigations (responsibility 3).
Position directly supervises: none
Key Internal Stakeholders:
- Country: Iraq SMT and Extended Management Team
- Regional and HQ: Regional Vice President, Regional Supply Chain, Finance and HR Directors, Head of Ethics & Compliance Unit, Awards Management Unit –Training and Compliance units.
- Key External Stakeholders: Legal Counsel
JOB REQUIREMENTS
Education:
- Bachelor’s degree required. Master’s university degree as a qualified accountant, auditor, or advanced degree in a relevant discipline, preferred.
Work Experience:
- At least 5 years combined finance/audit/compliance experience.
- Good understanding of Accounting and Internal Control standards (COSO). An understanding of SORP accounting principles is beneficial.
- Familiarity with forensic accounting, and both digital and paper file audits.
- International experience within other NGOs or in the development / humanitarian sector, with knowledge of donor rules and regulations, is desirable.
Demonstrated Skills and Competencies:
- Strong planning, organizational and interpersonal skills.
- Excellent analytical, presentation, and reporting skills.
- Ability to demonstrate flexibility and respond to changing country priorities.
- Ability to work independently on own initiative.
- Evidence of successful experience in compiling and conducting training workshops is an advantage.
- Excellent IT skills in Microsoft Word, and Microsoft Excel.
- Strong commitment to IRC’s mission, purpose, and values
Language/Travel:
- English and Arabic are required, while Kurdish is desired.
- Travel: 30% to field sites in Baghdad, Anbar, Mosul, and Kirkuk
Returning National Candidates: We strongly encourage national or returning national candidates to apply for this position. If you are a citizen of the Country in which this position is based and are currently located outside of your home country and possess over two years of international work experience, the Middle East Region has introduced an attractive remuneration package. The package includes competitive compensation, return flight to post, shipping allowance, temporary housing and a relocation allowance. Certain restrictions may apply. IRC strives to attract, motivate and retain qualified national staff in our programs.
Standards of Professional Conduct: The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way – Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.
Gender Equality: IRC is committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer benefits that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce including maternity leave, gender-sensitive security protocols, and other supportive benefits and allowances. Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement: Per the Iraqi Ministry of Health COVID-19 guidelines, IRC requires candidates who are selected for positions to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination to enter IRC premises. However, the exemption is only accepted per the Iraqi Health regulation and upon the provision of a negative PCR test.
Diversity and Inclusion: at IRC MENA, we are passionate about creating an inclusive workplace that promotes and values diversity. Organizations that are diverse in age, gender identity, race, sexual orientation, physical or mental ability, ethnicity, nationality, and perspective are validated to be better organizations. More importantly, creating a safe workspace environment where everyone, from any background, can do their best is the right thing to do. So, bring your whole self to work. IRC is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, respectful and safe work environment where all persons are treated fairly, with dignity and respect. In keeping with our core values of Integrity, Service, Accountability and Equality, IRC strives to maintain a work environment built on mutual respect in which all individuals treat each other professionally, and free of bias, prejudice, and harassment. IRC expressly prohibits and will not tolerate discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or bullying of IRC Persons in any work setting. All IRC staff, wherever they are located, are accountable for creating an environment free of discrimination, harassment, bullying, and retaliation.
Notice to all Job Seekers
IRC implements an equal employment opportunity policy, and our recruitment process is based on merit.
Applicants and/or successful interview candidates (both internal and external) are not required to pay any fees at any stage of the recruitment process.
If anyone asks you for any financial or non-financial favors to help you secure a job at IRC, kindly report to iraq.hr@rescue.org.
ملاحظة لكل الباحثين عن وظيفة
تعتمد لجنة الانقاذ الدولية سياسة فرص عمل متساوية وأن عملية التوظيف لدينا تعتمد على الجدارة .
لايتوجب على المتقدمين لاي وظيفة او المؤهلين للمقابلات (سواء كانوا موظفين حالين او متقدمين من خارج المنظمة) دفع اي مبلغ مالي خلال اي مرحلة من مراحل التوظيف.
اذا قام اي شخص بطلب اي خدمة مالية او غير مالية لقاء مساعدتكم في تأمين فرصة عمل داخل المنظمة، يرجى الابلاغ عن ذلك الى iraq.hr@rescue.org