Internal Control And Compliance Officer

Role Purpose

• The Internal Control & Control Officer will support compliance with SGDI and donor guidelines and policies.
• This will be done through evaluating the effectiveness of the governance, risk management and control systems in place in SGDI.
• S/he will review, document and assess the effectiveness of financial and operational controls over the SGDI program, administrative and project activities both at the Head offices and field offices.
• The Internal Control and Compliance officer will undertake regular checks- process and management practice reviews, analyse records, reports, financial statements, and program implementation to ascertain that adequate internal controls are in place to mitigate the risk of non-compliance with local laws, donor requirements and SGDI policies and procedures
• S/he will advise on additional controls to be put in place in any area of weakness identified to ensure the protection of the program's assets, funds and reputation and compliance with applicable donor guidelines and policies. S/he will be involved in conducting reviews into dishonest practices or other code of conduct concerns as may be delegated by the management.

Travels:

• The position will be based in Yobe but will require travel on a quarterly basis for supervisory oversight and ethical standard assurance and review of project-related activities at the Field office and other locations where we have the humanitarian response programs

Key Areas of Accountability

• On a sample basis, carry out a regularly reviews of financial, procurement/logistic, HR and program transactions and implementation, ensuring documentation supporting the transactions is in compliance with SGDI policies and procedures, grant agreements and donor regulations both at the Head Officer and Area offices.
• Conducting spot-audit tests on donor requirement compliance in finance, Human Resources, award, logistics, operations and programme (activities, documentation and reporting) in line with SGDI annual work plan.
• Assist in risk assessments and follow-up to confirm implementation of mitigating measures.
• Work closely with the programme development unit to further a risk-aware and responsive culture in designing and developing potential high-risk awards and improving compliance culture on the existing awards.
• Plan, conduct and lead audits and follow up on all internal and external audit action plans and provide periodic updates on actions taken.
• S/he will serve as a liaison for external audit and regulatory agencies
• Assist in performing internal control reviews of processes including cash and advance management, procurement, logistics, program implementation, documentation and reporting, Data quality Assurance of M& E (Monitoring and Evaluation) data source documents, stock , beneficiaries and food vendors management, assets management etc.
• Coordinate with the relevant departments to come up with actionable recommendations to improve any identified weaknesses.
• Work with the consortium program manager and finance manager to flag significant internal control weaknesses to the management, with actionable recommendations to reinforce those weak controls and support the monitoring of compliance with approved reinforcing controls.
• Track all review findings and recommendations in line with agreed implementation timelines and follow-up to confirm implemented actions.
• Lead on fraud investigations as may be assigned, diligently document all relevant evidence, and ensure the report is consistent with SGDI standards through SGDI Fraud team.
• Maintain good working relationships with all SGDI stakeholders (staff, vendors, auditors, implementing partners) through effective communication and exercising professional conduct and objectivity.
• Deliver training as required to reinforce internal controls, risk mitigation, anti-corruption, fraud and anti-terrorism financing awareness and prevention.
• Carry out any other responsibility delegated within the role of the unit.

Qualification and Experience

Essential:

• A graduate of Finance, Accounting or a related Business field is required with a professional qualification (ACA, ACCA or CPA)
• 7+ years of related work experience, with a minimum of 3 years in a not-for-profit organisation (a plus) or private setting
• Strong background in compliance accounting and internal controls; experience in auditing (internal or external experience)
• Extensive experience in relevant operational areas (e.g. in programme/project management in an INGO context) and experience of risk-based auditing.
• Be highly accurate, detail-oriented, and able to complete multiple projects, with conflicting priorities, on a timely basis.
• Excellent report writing skills in English
• Ability to speak the local language- Hausa is strongly required.

SGDI is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups, and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply.

Please note: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

SGDI reserves the right to close the advertisement before the stated closing date if a suitable candidate is identified.

SGDI has a PSEA Policy that the successful candidate will be expected to comply with and promote.