Vacancy Title: Internal Audit and Compliance Officer (ACT/IACO/02/2023) – Act Change Transform (Act!)

Act Change Transform (Act!) is a local Non-Governmental Organization whose mission is to facilitate the empowerment of marginalized people and communities in Kenya and neighboring countries, to become active participants in their development by enabling them to: stand up for their rights; demand good governance in the management of resources; and participate in decision-making processes. Act! does this through implementing partners, offering them capacity development, management of grants so that value for money is achieved and providing strategic leadership in national advocacy for the benefit of women, youth, people with disabilities and other marginalized communities.

Job Summary

The Internal Audit & Compliance Officer (IA&CO) will be responsible for ensuring risks to the organization are well managed and that the organization adheres to its internal policies, systems and procedures all applicable statutory obligations and International Financial and other Reporting Standards, including the not-for-profit regulatory framework. Working closely with the Senior Management Team (SMT), the Internal Audit & Compliance Officer will also ensure that the organization complies with all contractual terms and conditions as outlined in its agreements with donors or any other relevant parties. In addition, S/he will guarantee adherence by Act!’s staff to the terms of agreements signed between the organization and its stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

Specifically, and guided by the Act! key policies and procedures (Finance, Audit and Operations, HR, ICT, Procurement, Whistleblower, Anti-fraud, Risk Management, and Safeguarding, etc.), the Internal Audit & Compliance Officer will among others:

• Offer internal financial and systems audit support to the organization.
• Conduct periodic risk assessments of the organization and where required partners within a risk-based audit framework. The audit reports shall form part of institutional strengthening and performance improvement plans.
• Identifying and monitoring possible emerging risks across the organization.
• Continuously review the suitability of internal controls and recommend strengthening actions.
• Promote and ensure compliance by the Board and the Senior Management Team with all applicable Internal, Policies, Procedures and relevant Government Statutory Requirements.
• Promote and ensure full compliance by the Board and the SMT with International Financial Accounting and Reporting Standards.
• Provide direction and ensure compliance by the SMT with all contractual terms and conditions as outlined in Act!’s agreements with all third parties and donors.
• Draw the attention of SMT to instances or risks of non-compliance, assessing the potential consequences and offering support to ensure full compliance. The IA&CO may escalate (within the defined escalation framework) to the Finance and Audit Committee non-compliance issues as may be deemed appropriate.
• Conduct regular internal financial & process audits and compliance reviews to assess overall compliance with laid down policies and procedures and compile quarterly status reports for the Finance and Audit Committee of the Board.
• Facilitate internal consultations with relevant parties and resolution of all non-compliance issues – systems strengthening and adherence.
• Facilitate annual cross-organizational level risk assessments, prepare risk mitigation plans with focal persons, and support close and efficient monitoring of progress in the implementation of the risk mitigation plans.
• Liaising with the External Auditors on tracking and implementation of key audit findings as documented in the management letters.

Qualification, Experience and Skills:

Here below are the minimum academic and professional skills requirements for the jobholder to perform their duties to the satisfaction of the organization.

Academic Qualifications

• Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in Business, Commerce, Administration or other related fields.

Professional Qualifications

• Certified Public Accountant of Kenya (CPA-K) or ACCA qualification. Any other qualifications and training in systems audit and compliance management is an added advantage.

Relevant Work Experience

• At least five (5) years of progressive experience in a similar role, supporting internal audit and compliance in a not-for-profit institution.
• Experience providing contract administration and compliance oversight of major donor grants & contracts.
• Working with external auditors.
• Writing professional audit and compliance reports both for management and internal.

Essential Competencies & Skills

• Demonstrably unimpeachable integrity in all dealings within and outside the organization.
• In-depth knowledge of all tax and statutory obligations relating to NGOs in Kenya.
• Good analytical skills to successfully perform financial reviews and other quantitative analyses.
• Good written and oral communication skills.
• Demonstrable ability to work with minimum supervision.
• Good knowledge and understanding of major donors’ audit and compliance requirements and reporting guidelines.
• Coaching and technical support to local organizations on grants and contracts administration.
• Ability to exercise objectivity and discretion in all dealings with staff, SMT and the Board.
• Ability to adapt to change quickly in a professional manner.