Technical Advisor III – Risk and Compliance, Central Africa Regional Office At Catholic Relief Services

RESPONSIBILITIES

NOTE: This is a global telecommuter position; CRS will give preference to candidates who are based in countries where we have existing offices. CRS does not sponsor visas for telecommuting employees.

About CRS

Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. CRS works to save, protect, and transform lives in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality. CRS’ relief and development work is accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance and peacebuilding.

Job Summary:

The Regional Technical Advisor (RTA) Compliance & Risk Management will contribute to the design and ensure implementation of agency-wide strategies, standards, tools, and best practices in risk management that effectively engage partners, donors, and governments. They will assist the Central Africa Regional Office (CARO) and country level management to analyze, develop and implement planning and execution frameworks which allow the agency to increase operational efficiency and promote a competitive niche and organizational expertise in different operational areas within an environment of compliance and adequate risk management. They will support the Region and Country Programs (CPs) in developing a culture of compliance and risk management, as well as the capacity to proactively manage risk and be compliant with agency and donor policies and standards.

The position will also be instrumental in regional and country-level capacity-building in identification, assessment and management of all categories of risk (apart from safety & security risks) identified in CRS’ Internal Control Questionnaires (ICQs), annual Risk Reports, FAM (Fraud Allegation Management) Policy and Procedures, external (including A-133) and internal audit reports and through periodic risk assessments. The RTA will help develop learning and training strategies and agendas/curriculums; organize and/or facilitate trainings, workshops and conferences; and mentor and coach staff (including TAs, CP and regional staff) in innovative risk and compliance approaches and tools.

One specific focus area is that of partnership, which includes overseeing the correct and timely applications of: FFATA (Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act), Non-US USAID SR (Sub-Recipient) monitoring, and SRFMP (Sub-Recipient Financial Monitoring Policy). The RTA will advocate for CRS by engaging partners and stakeholders in understanding and meeting risk compliance standards.

Another specific focus area is that of risk and compliance support during the project cycle. This includes the provision of technical guidance and necessary support at the various stages of proposal development, design, start up, implementation, close-out and after action learning and review. The RTA should ensure that projects have technical excellence and innovative solutions in the areas of risk and compliance.

The RTA also serves as the regional lead for a Community of Practice with Risk and Compliance (R&C) staff in the region’s country programs (CPs).

Primary Responsibilities:

Risk Management

• Coordinate and advocate for the development and implementation of a CARO Regional Risk Management framework (e.g. policy, procedure, tools and training curriculum)
• Support the roll out of the risk management component of the agency strategy
• Actively lead CARO’s already established risk management community of practice (R&C staff, Head of Operations (HoOps), Finance Managers (FMs), Grant Compliance, etc)
• Coordinate compliance trainings (startup workshop) for large grants
• Monitor the regular updating of CPs risk registers, which are finalized at the end of each FY. Review before incorporation in the Year End Close-package
• Serve as a resource person on compliance and audit issues
• Serve as a regional focal point for the Office of General Counsel (OGC)
• Develop comprehensive annual compliance review plan covering all areas of risk (as identified in Internal Control Questionnaires, annual Risk Disclosure Reports, FAM, FAST, External (including A-133) and Internal Audit reports and through periodic Risk Assessments) for regional management approval
• Actively engage with colleagues in other regions (most notably East Africa Regional office or EARO and the West Africa Regional Office or WARO) and in similar roles to learn from their approaches towards risk management. Advocate for, adopt, and when necessary adapt good practices and tools for use in CARO
• 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 the Central Africa Region in particular.

Fraud & Safeguarding

• Supervise the regional Fraud Prevention Specialist and coordinate/take fraud allegation investigation assignments when needs arise, then assess and evaluate systemic and operational factors contributing to the problem, and offer actionable recommendations
• Ensure an effective and efficient collaboration between agency Ethics Unit, Region and CPs
• Ensure close monitoring of Tier 2 & 3 fraud cases
• Support CPs with timely implementation of Corrective Action Plans
• Actively engage in the Fraud Risk Community of Practice and ensure active participation of CP staff
• Liaise with Safeguarding staff where needed.

Compliance Management (including Agreement review)

• Review all new donor and subrecipient agreements and amendments and ensure a smooth and timely approval flow process. Develop and facilitate refresher trainings for CP staff involved in agreement processing. Liaise with OGC where applicable
• Provide advisory services to the CP Operations’ teams to strengthen the various management systems in place, formulation of additional systems/processes, as needed, and provide recommendations to ensure that such systems are compliant with Operational Excellence (OpEx) standards
• Review Internal Control Assessments annually, and during each CP visit or remotely, validate assessment coverage, process and rating as per the Internal Control Policy
• Monitor and assess the 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 and country level Compliance Officer (if applicable), perform onsite reviews and capacity assessment of large grant recipients (local partner and A-133 filing agencies). This involves review and assessment of management structure (segregation of duties) and evaluation of internal control systems, financial, property and record management, etc
• Compile and review reports/documents with data on compliance status and risk management (annual Risk Reports, Internal Control Questionnaires, internal and external – including A-133 – audit reports, FAST, etc.), as well as risk-related data from internal or external resources with current or potential impact on CRS operations. Prepare trends analyses with recommendations for addressing systemic issues to preempt potential risks for review by regional management
• Ensure overall compliance with the Anti-Money Laundering & Anti-Terrorist Financing procedure (including Bridger XG compliance), Patriot Act, FFATA, Non-US USAID SR monitoring and relevant reporting requirements.

Systems, Policy and Institutional Strengthening support

• Provide feedback to various Agency operations units to help originate and improve riks and compliance related policies and systems while establishing and identifying new approaches that further establish CRS as a center of expertise.
• Work with the DRD-Ops and Regional Finance Officer (RFO) to develop trainings on compliance, systems and internal control issues.
• Work with peer regional operations advisors on compliance and control improvements in their respective technical areas
• Review, assist and update project plans related to the rollout of new processes and systems
• Ensure CPs conduct timely partner assessments with the SRFMP tool. Followed by timely submission of partner’s ICIP (Internal Control Strengthening Plan), adequate monitoring visits, etc
• Ensure CPs follow up on SRFMP compliance dashboard issues on a timely basis
• Ensure CPs conduct partners mapping and risk profiling, providing adequate support to those partners with generally weak internal controls and other types of support to strategic, long-term partners
• Assist CPs in their preparation of capacity strengthening plans (following SRFMP assessment and ICIPs, HOCAI, Partnership Scorecards, etc.)
• Actively promote courses and tools available through the Institute for Capacity Strengthening
• Actively promote and support the correct and timely use of Gateway (the SalesForce project database).

Commodity Management support

• In coordination with the Regional Advisor for Supply Chain Management (SCM) and CP commodity teams, monitor in-kind receipts, distribution and inventory reports
• Regularly review and assess country compliance with on-kind and commodity management accounting requirements of CRS policy and federal awards
• Review commodity stock reports and reconciliation with CSR and RSR records to ensure accuracy before submission to HQ
• Monitor commodity bookings by CPs on a monthly basis and review supporting documents for commodity and in-kind bookings in excess of $100k
• Support country commodity accounting staff with developing work plans to resolve any commodity related issues
• When applicable, support the annual Physical Inventory Count (PIC) exercise.

Proposal Development (including Contract management))

• Develop and/or contribute to the development of risk management frameworks during proposal development (e.g. USAID BHA, Global Fund, etc). Ensure, train and coach programming teams in understanding the risk management requirements from the donor
• Provide guidance, necessary support and training at the various stages of contracts management, i.e. proposal development, start up, implementation, close-out and after action learning and review
• Serve as the regional lead for the Community of Practice for project and operations staff involved in contract administration and management. If applicable, link CARO’s CoP with those established in other regions, as well as with the IDEA team in HQ.
• Develop and share periodic updates on contracts administration and management highlights in CARO.

Audit Follow-Up

• Create and maintain audit report files for all country program internal and external (including A-133) reports on SharePoint
• Support CPs in their preparations for audits and participate in kick-off, review and close out meetings with (internal) auditors
• Promptly follow up to close audit recommendations (within 60 days) in close collaboration with country program, especially through Heads of Operations or equivalent, and Finance Managers. This involves participation in the development of audit closure action plans and follow-up to ensure timely submission of responses to HQ’s Internal Audit Department
• Provide summarized quarterly audit status report to Regional Director (RD), DRD/Ops and RFO.

Key Working Relationships:

Internal: Deputy Regional Directors for Operations and Program Quality, RD, RFO, CARO staff, Country Representatives, Country Program staff, HQ departments notably Finance, Internal Audit, OpEx Unit, Global People Resources, other regional and headquarters operations staff

External: Auditors, donors, consultants (in coordination with RD, DRD-Ops, RFO and Country representatives)

QUALIFICATIONS

Basic Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in finance, business administration, accounting or related field required.
• Professional qualification in accounting (ACCA, CPA or equivalent) or risk management preferred.
• Strong knowledge of U.S. government and other donors’ funding regulations for international NGOs
• Strong computer skills. Proficiency in MS Office required
• Minimum seven years relevant work experience with an NGO, of which three years should be in USG finance and compliance
• Auditing experience, a plus. As well as contracts experience
• Demonstrated ability in building capacity and providing training and technical assistance, and experience working with church partners
• Proven ability to be an effective supervisor of staff of varying levels of responsibility
• Self-guided, strong organizational and planning skills
• Ability to work independently and under pressure
• Excellent communication, coaching and facilitation skills
• Oracle or other ERP/ Q&A exposure and competence will be an added advantage, or ability to learn quickly

Agency-wide Competencies (for all CRS Staff)

These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results.

• Integrity
• Continuous Improvement & Innovation
• Builds Relationships
• Develops Talent
• Strategic Mindset
• Accountability & Stewardship

***Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. We welcome as a part of our staff people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need. CRS’ processes and policies reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.

Disclaimer: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.

Note: All positions requiring residence or frequent travel outside their home country must undergo and clear a pre-employment medical examination.

CRS talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to safeguarding the rights and dignity of all people – especially children and vulnerable adults – to live free from abuse and harm.

CRS welcomes candidates from the countries and regions in which we work. In the event the successful candidate is an expatriate or global telecommuter, the anticipated duration of the assignment is informed by a term limit, based on the type and level of the job and the needs of the agency.

CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer