Finance and Compliance Officer at Global Communities

Global Communities is responding to the crisis in Ukraine, delivering humanitarian, recovery, and development assistance through a community-led response. Global Communities’ response is designed with the goal of saving lives, reducing suffering, and addressing urgent needs while supporting communities to lead their own response and prepare for recovery.

Job Summary

Global Communities is seeking skilled professionals from Finance with prior NGO experience, willing to advance their careers in Compliance and Internal Audit field. This is an excellent opportunity to make an impact on relief and development efforts in Ukraine by ensuring transparency and accountability of donor-funded projects. If you have experience in international development, strong analytical skills and, preferably, a good understanding of USAID requirements, we encourage you to apply.

The role will be responsible for the assessment of risk management, internal controls and compliance with USAID and local regulations, organizational policies and procedures across functions of Finance, Subaward management, Supply Chain, Administration, and Human Resources.

Successful applicants will undergo on-the-job training in the application of GC’s internal audit, compliance tools, and methodologies. This position is based in our country office (Kyiv, Ukraine) with a report to and act under the supervision of the local Internal Audit and Compliance Manager.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Perform standard reviews to assess GC’s controls in managing finance and subawards/implementing partners’ (Ips), as follows:

• Perform post-award reviews of adequacy and effectiveness of IP’s systems and internal controls, ensuring that they offer adequate protection against error, fraud, loss or non-compliance through participation in spot check visits, audits of partner portfolio and sampled transactions.
• Support the team in identifying areas of risk and mitigation relating to identification and selection of partner organizations, pre-assessment of their governance and systems.
• Perform risk assessment activities and internal reviews according to the approved plan, as well as based on special requests, including but not limited to the following:
  • Conduct a thorough review of sampled transactions to ensure they are processed in accordance with Global Communities’ policies, donor rules and regulations and applicable local laws.
  • Participate in physical inspection visits and due diligence checks for current and potential vendors, in the observer capacity.
• Contribute to the department’s risk assessment, control and governance process in the following areas:
  • Compliance with internal policies and external regulations.
  • Efficiency of processes.
  • Safeguarding assets from loss and misuse.
• Document all work through high-quality work papers, in line with department’s internal methodology and tools.
• Summarize the agreed-upon findings based on objective observations and discussions with responsible teams. Draft internal compliance/audit reports, referencing corresponding policies, guidelines, and include recommendations with relevant corrective actions to address and prevent the weaknesses observed.
• In coordination with supervisor, perform various investigation procedures using data analysis, thorough review of evidence, conducting interviews, surveys and verifications, to address the reported issues and identify corresponding gaps in internal controls.
• Assist the department in developing objective and relevant opinions based on factual information obtained, and in drafting the investigation reports capturing factual details and properly concluding each allegation/ complaint or issue.
• Build strong partnerships with all departments to understand the risks to their functions and support strengthening department-specific risk management processes.
• Perform timely registration of the assignments and status of their completion against the plan in the tracker. Maintain proper electronic documentation for all work performed and reports issued, adhering to internal workpaper completion and archiving requirements.
• Maintain a high level of confidentiality and security of entrusted data.
• Perform other job-related tasks assigned by the supervisor.

• Contribute to the process of providing advice on internal controls and risk management techniques to management, with guidance from direct supervisor. Propose changes in the policies and procedures for the general operation of the organization to prevent improper conduct and protect against non-compliance.

Working Relationships

The Finance and Compliance Officer is a member of independent internal advisory department with no decision-making responsibilities, reporting to the Internal Audit and Compliance Manager.

Education and Experience

• University degree in Accounting, Business Administration, Financial Management, Economics, or relevant.
• Solid knowledge of legal regulations for accounting and finance.

• Minimum of 3 years of experience in the field of financial management, compliance, audit (internal or external), etc.  for non-profits or NGOs.

Each of the following will be considered an added advantage:

• Professional experience in international non-profit organization.
• Familiarity with USAID regulations.
• Experience in undertaking interviews, inspections and investigations.
• Understanding or practical experience of risk management and risk assessment.
• Knowledge of taxation, labor law, entity registration and other applicable local laws.
• Completion of Certified Internal Auditor, Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or a similar program.

Hard and Soft skills

• Strong analytical and report-writing skills, accuracy and attention to detail.
• Very good communication skills (verbal and written), ability to build positive relationships across functions.
• Excellent command of Microsoft Excel, good knowledge of standard office programs.
• Ability to work independently while being a strong team player, be a proactive problem-solver.
• High standards for quality of work and solution-driven attitude.
• Excellent time management skills and the ability to prioritize work when under pressure.
• Must be flexible, ready to perform assigned and additional duties and work irregular hours when needed.

Language skills

• Proficiency of both verbal and written English
• Fluency in Ukrainian

Applications:

Interested candidates are asked to send CVs and Cover letters no later than March 21, 2023. Interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis.

Please be advised that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Applications in languages other than English will not be considered. This position is open to Ukrainian candidates only.