Fiduciary Compliance Officer

Malaria Consortium is recruiting for a Fiduciary Compliance Officer to join our team in Abuja, Nigeria.

Scope of work

The Fiduciary Compliance Officer is responsible for supporting the review of NIMR disbursement requests and other state offices’ records to ensure compliance with the rules and procedures of Malaria Consortium and relevant donors. The objective of this role is to support the Programmes Compliance unit in providing quality assurance and assisting management in adopting realistic solutions that address the root causes of identified risks.

Key working relationships

The Fiduciary Compliance Officer will report to the Senior Compliance Officer with dotted lines to the Programmes Compliance Manager. Close collaboration is essential with relevant team members, finance, and the Senior Country Program Manager to check compliance with MC and project policies and procedures in their thematic areas. This position is also expected to work closely with the Capacity Building support-NIMR, and the Bridging Grant -SARMAAN II Grant team members at the Country office. The Fiduciary Compliance Officer will support the Capacity Building support-NIMR, and the Bridging Grant -SARMAAN II team in understanding donor rules and regulations and liaising with relevant partners and colleagues to ensure compliance. The function of the role will expand to cover other donors as the portfolio of projects in the country office increases.

Key accountabilities

Programme Routine and Periodic Compliance (50%)

• Provide support to management in ensuring full compliance with donor regulations, national financial guidelines, and MC’s internal policies, when reviewing and managing requests, and provide necessary and timely feedback to NIMR and MC.
• Provide technical support in financial management, including budgeting, reporting, and expenditure tracking of all NIMR requests, and provide the report to management when needed.
• Provide support on internal and external audits, ensuring full access to documentation and addressing audit findings with corrective actions.
• Liaise with finance, operations, and program team to provide updates on NIMR payment request and other support as might be requested by NIMR from time to time
• Liaise and communicate with NIMR to ensure all necessary support/documentation is intact to facilitate payment request processing.
• Maintain and keep records of NIMR requests, electronic/hardcopy, from time to time, and provide the documentation/support for audit review as might be requested for such purpose
• Support the programme's compliance unit to conduct routine and periodic compliance reviews of projects, highlighting areas requiring improvement.
• Support the Senior Compliance Officer in implementing compliance monitoring tools and processes as they relate to the fiduciary agent role
• Assist in following up on sub-award compliance issues, audits, and documenting resolutions.
• Support the review of procurement and program transactions, contracts, and other documents for compliance requirements.

Programme Compliance and third-party entities (20%).

• Conduct regular compliance checks on other non-campaign-related activities and non-fiduciary-related activities in the country office (e.g., review POs and Contracts).
• Identify potential risk areas during compliance reviews and provide recommendations on how to strengthen the system in the relationship between MC and NIMR.
• Support due diligence efforts on vendors, consultants, and other third parties engaged by Malaria Consortium.
• Assist in investigations into potential fraud, procurement irregularities, and programmatic compliance issues.
• Support the unit in conducting due diligence and identifying sub-grantees.
• Support investigations in potential fraud, procurement irregularities, and programmatic compliance issues, ensuring alignment with organizational and donor policies.

Risk Management Support (10%).

• Support the identification of potential risks associated with grant and compliance, and the fiduciary relationship between MC and NIMR
• Assist in developing and implementing risk mitigation strategies in collaboration with program and finance teams.
• Support the proactive addressing of emerging issues that may impact the fiduciary agent relationship and performance.
• Assist in identifying and communicating compliance risks associated with program and relationship implementation.

Continuous improvement (10%).

• Support in promoting a country office-wide culture of compliance and risk management.
• Support in facilitating training and capacity-building initiatives for staff and partners on compliance requirements, risk management practices, and fraud prevention.
• Assist in developing and conducting sub-recipient financial and compliance training workshops.
• Provide ongoing support and guidance to staff to enhance their capacity in Fiduciary relationships and grant management.
• Work with the team to advise project management and general staff on critical intersections between project implementation and compliance issues, based on knowledge of organizational policy, donor regulations, and specific award terms and conditions.

Reporting (10%)

• Provide support to the programme's compliance manager to generate a report on internal process issues and the implementation of quality assurance action plans to the West and Central Africa Programmes Director.
• Support the Programmes Compliance Manager to prepare detailed reports on investigations and compliance reviews, presenting findings and recommendations to management and donors as required.

Person specification

Qualifications and experience:        

Essential:     

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field (Finance, Accounting, Auditing, Business Administration, International Development, etc.).
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in compliance or audit within the NGO sector.
• Significant experience working with donors and Grants.
• Experience in fiduciary agency role and donors (e.g., the Gates Foundation, Global Fund, FCDO rules) regulations and rules.
•  ACA, ACCA or equivalent qualifications

Desirable: 

• Knowledge of the INGO sector.
• Experience of working in an international context.
• Knowledge of Gate Foundation funding rules and regulations, including financial and technical reporting requirements.

Work-based skills:           

Essential: 

• Experience working in a compliance environment.
• Excellent computer skills with high proficiency in Microsoft Office.
• A proven ability to work independently and prioritise and manage your workload to complete assessments and deliver timely reports.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a readiness to take initiative to resolve issues.
• Strong ability to be able to manage and prioritize multiple tasks.
• An ability to work with management to identify the root cause of issues.
• Attention to detail to deliver accurate and credible results and objective assurance.
• Good interpersonal skills with a persuasive, diplomatic, and confident manner.
• An ability to build effective working relationships and provide advice at all levels.
• Willingness to always learn.

Desirable: 

• Familiar with the International Professional Practices Framework (IPPF) of internal auditing.
• Confident being a role model for others.
• Willing to travel to the field at short notice.
• Team player.

We need to keep beneficiaries safe so our selection process reflects our commitment to safeguarding. Please find our Code of Conduct, Safeguarding Policy and Privacy Notice here.

Due to the nature of this role we will be reviewing applications on an ongoing basis and the role might be filled and closed before the closing date. Early applications are encouraged.

To apply for this position you will need to have the right to work in Nigeria