JOB DESCRIPTION

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world”s worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world”s largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you”re a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.

The Senior Compliance Officer will support the Compliance Coordinator in managing ethics and compliance functions across the IRC Ethiopia Country Program. This position focuses on conducting compliance spot checks, field monitoring visits, and following up on agreed management action to address identified control gaps. The Senior Compliance Officer will also contribute to capacity building, awareness initiatives, and the development of internal control tools to strengthen compliance practices. The role promotes a culture of integrity, transparency, and accountability in alignment with IRC’s Code of Conduct (IRC WAY).

Major Responsibilities: –

Capacity Building and communication

• Deliver effective compliance training and awareness programs for various stakeholders.
• Inform staff about IRC fraud, anti-corruption, whistleblowing, and conflict of interest policies, and assist in their implementation.
• Promote a strong culture of ethics and compliance through ongoing training, capacity building, and advice.
• Assist the Compliance Coordinator in preparing and disseminating a comprehensive quarterly compliance newsletter, including planning content, coordinating contributions, and tracking engagement.
• Support the development of informative and preventive tools such as fact sheets, quick guides, and internal control checklists to enhance compliance awareness.

Compliance Reviews, Assessments and Monitoring

• Conduct periodic compliance spot checks and review tests to ensure adherence to IRC policies and procedures, donor grant terms and conditions, and applicable legal and regulatory requirements. Prepare clear and actionable compliance reports summarizing findings and recommendations.

• Maintain and regularly update compliance review trackers. Communicate findings to relevant stakeholders and support the development of agreed-upon risk mitigation plans and recommendations to strengthen internal controls.
• Monitor the implementation of agreed recommendations and mitigation actions resulting from compliance reviews and spot checks, ensuring timely follow-through and resolution.
• Under the guidance of the Compliance Coordinator, assess adherence to internal policies and procedures through walkthroughs, document reviews, and substantive testing. This includes conducting field monitoring visits to IRC field offices to observe operational practices and identify potential gaps.
• Collaborate with operations and program teams, as directed by the Compliance Coordinator, to develop action plans that address internal control gaps and enhance compliance safeguards.
• Support the Compliance Coordinator in conducting compliance audits of IRC Ethiopia’s partners and sub-grantees as part of periodic spot checks and review exercises. This includes evaluating the robustness of their systems and internal policies to ensure they effectively safeguard against error, fraud, and loss.
• Archive all working papers, compliance review and spot check reports, and maintain updated recommendation trackers.

Other Responsibilities

• Stay informed of IRC procedures and policies, donor rules and regulation and Ethiopian Government laws and regulation that related with IRC Ethiopia Compliance requirements.
• Work in collaboration with Senior Management team, Operation and Program staff to clear issue communicated following compliance spot check and reviews.
• Submit a weekly report to the Compliance Coordinator.
• Perform other ad hoc tasks as requested by the Compliance Coordinator.

Safeguarding Responsibilities: –

• Promote and actively participate in initiatives and efforts to build team engagement, inclusion and cohesion in IRC Addis Ababa Office
• Foster ongoing learning, honest dialogue and reflection to strengthen safeguarding and to promote IRC values and adherence to IRC policies

Job Requirements:

• Minimum of 2 years of professional experience in compliance, audit, risk management, or a closely related field.
• Prior experience working within the NGO or humanitarian sector is strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to manage and resolve audit and compliance-related issues effectively.
• Willingness to travel to field locations and work in remote settings as needed.

Educational Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting and finance or other relevant subject areas

Preferred experience & skills:

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
• Excellent analytical, presentation, and reporting skills.
• High attention to detail and ability to manage sensitive information with discretion.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Commitment to upholding and modeling IRC’s core values (the IRC Way), demonstrating high standards of ethics and integrity.

Language Skills:

• Excellent communication skills, verbally and in writing, in English.

Certificates or Licenses:

• Professional certifications such as ACCA, CIA or CPA are highly desirable and considered an asset.

Disclaimer: – Please note that IRC will never request applicants or candidates to make any form of payment at any stage of the recruitment process.

IRC is an equal employment opportunity employer. IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status or disability.

IRC strives to build a diverse and inclusive team at all levels who as individuals, and as a group, embody our culture statement creating a working environment characterized by critical reflection, power sharing, debate, and objectivity for us to achieve our aspirations as a team and deliver the best possible services to our clients.

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 parental leave, gender-sensitive security protocols, and other supportive benefits and allowances.

Standard of Professional Conduct: The IRC and the IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way – our Code of Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability, and Equality.

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