Compliance, Risk & Community Specialist at Trees for the Future

About the Opportunity

The Compliance, Risk & Community Specialist will be based in our Kisumu, Kenya office, reporting to the Central Office in Washington, DC, USA, and working closely with the Kenya teams in Kisumu, Homa Bay, Migori, and Siaya. This role focuses on key facets, working with each office to ensure Trees for the Future (TREES) complies with local and country laws, working with Country Directors to train on TREES policies, and acting as the grievances office with the Senior Director of Global HR. This role will require regular travel to Uganda and Tanzania. 

In this role, you will...

• Works under the direct guidance and management of the Sr Director, Global HR.
• Implement a grievance mechanism procedure developed by TREES.
• Capacity building and regular meetings in groups with Community Grievance Representatives in the county (of approximately 35 representatives)
• Ensure complaints are appropriately recorded and coordinated, and responses are timely.
• Act as an impartial body offering sound advice.
• Provide support to all parties concerned through a transparent process for resolving complaints.
• Coordinate and document a proper complaint and appeals process.
• Submit regular progress reports.
• Documents decisions and resolutions.
• Train employees in compliance within the TREES organization.
• Stay up-to-date on all compliance matters and relevant legislation within TREES In East Africa.
• Conduct regular audits of internal procedures, risk analysis, and quantification of financial risks
• Continuously monitor and review compliance procedures to help identify possible areas for improvement.
• Have a strong sense and attention to detail and the ability to notice actions that may result in liability.
• Build trusting relationships with both the employees and farmers and create a communication channel for sensitive information—during the workshop, the female staff requested this.
• Review and assess inherent risk within new processes and systems and make recommendations.
• Updates company policies.
• Documents all compliance-related reports.
• Administer whistleblower website.
• Create awareness of risk management to create a risk-conscious culture across TREES.
• Implement the risk and compliance policies and procedures.

You’ll be a great fit if you have... 

• A bachelor’s degree in business, HR, women’s studies, international development, psychology, or legal studies with five to seven years of experience is preferred. 
• Excellent communication skills. 
• Detailed record-keeping skills.
• Analytical thinking with problem-solving and solid abilities with attention to detail.
• Ability to work under pressure, with minimal supervision, and in a culturally diverse team.
• Ability to build strong relationships both internally and externally.
• Strong Microsoft Office skills.
• Ability to travel to field locations in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.
• Strong belief in TREES' mission and culture.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality at all times.
• Must be able to avoid bias and any perception of bias in the conduct of their work.
• Possess high ethical standards and honesty.
• Proven exposure to risk management and excellent understanding of the principles of risk management 
• Ability to promote integrity and business ethics; demonstrate mature judgment, trust, and team spirit.