Risk & Compliance Officer at TradeMark East Africa (TMEA)

The Risk and Compliance Officer will, under the overall direction of the Risk and Compliance Manager, ensure the quality and compliance of TMEA’s risk and compliance management framework. S/he will undertake risk and compliance checks across all guidelines, policies and procedures of the organisation. The jobholder will provide support in the planning and design of compliance checks, training in risk and compliance, and ensuring the Conflict of Interest policy is fully implemented. This role will liaise closely with colleagues in Internal Audit.

Responsibilities

• Support the creation of guidelines, policies, procedures and instructions within the compliance field.
• Analyse and disseminate the compliance requirements of existing, new and/or revised policies and regulations. Provide advice in relation to compliance matters contained in the policies.
• Interpret and implement new and modified policies and procedures.
• Monitor developments within TMEA’s country operations, business areas, programmes and assess whether changes to policies and procedures are necessary.
• Monitor TMEA programmes and corporate services units’ compliance with TMEA Regulations, guidelines, policies, agreements, donor and regulatory requirements.
• Liaise with relevant country programmes and departments where risks are identified, to develop mitigating measures and implement remedial action.
• Through the Risk & Compliance Manager, advise country programmes and departments of all risk and compliance related issues.
• Carry out periodic risk reviews on country programmes and departments to assess whether actions to mitigate prioritised risks are implemented, and if so, are effective in reducing risks at a country, programme and corporate level.
• Support the implementation of TMEA’s Ethics Programme including the Conflict of Interest policy.
• Assist in the development and delivery of TMEA-wide training on risk and compliance for all staff to complete annually.

Corporate systems

• Apply the highest standards of controls and risk management practices and behaviours and embed a positive risk and control culture.
• Demonstrate prudence, sound judgement and appropriate and timely escalations in management of all types of risk (including fraud risk) applicable to my role.
• Understand and comply with the relevant end-to-end processes including applicable risks and controls.
• Seek to identify, understand and escalate risk events/incidents/ issues on a timely basis focusing on fixing root-causes and taking ownership of identified mitigating actions.
• Complete all relevant mandatory trainings within the stipulated timelines.
• Participate in regular informal and formal reflection, knowledge sharing and learning events. Document lessons learned and best practices for knowledge sharing and learning.
• Promote and adhere to TMEA’s core values and ensure compliance with organisational policies and procedures.
• Maintain zero tolerance to bribery, fraud and corruption, and ensure the immediate reporting of any corruption or suspect behaviour that threatens TMEA’s reputation.
• Any other related roles and responsibilities as may be assigned by the Risk and Compliance Manager.

Qualifications

Academic and professional qualifications

• A university degree (Bachelors or Masters) in a relevant discipline such as accounting or risk management.
• A professional qualification in accountancy, risk, compliance or audit is an advantage.

Work experience

• Undergraduate degree holders will have at least five years of relevant working experience while postgraduate degree holders will require at least three years of relevant working experience.
• At least three years’ experience of working in a risk, compliance, audit, finance or related function.

Technical skills and behavioural competencies

• Strong team player with the ability to work under minimal supervision, whilst handling competing priorities and a challenging workload.
• An understanding of the development sector.
• Excellent organisational skills.
• Good eye for detail.
• Strong presentation, communication and personal effectiveness skills.
• Ability to influence others to achieve objectives and gain consensus and collaboration.
• Sound decision-making and judgement capabilities, as well as good problem solving and analytical skills.