Compliance Officer at Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS)

The Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) is an international Catholic organisation with a mission to accompany, serve and advocate on behalf of refugees and other forcibly displaced persons. JRS undertakes services at national and regional levels with the support of an international office in Rome. Founded in November 1980 as a work of the Society of Jesus, JRS was officially registered on 19 March 2000 at the Vatican State as a foundation. JRS programmes are found in 51 countries, providing assistance to: refugees in camps and cities, individuals displaced within their own countries, asylum seekers in cities, and to those held in detention centres. The main areas of work are in the field of education, emergency assistance, healthcare, livelihood activities and social services. At the end of 2016, more than 733,400 individuals were direct beneficiaries of JRS projects.
Job Summary

Under the supervision of the Country Director, the Compliance Officer is responsible for strengthening JRS Nigeria's compliance and internal control systems through independent reviews, audits, and risk assessments. Based full-time in Abuja, S/he will ensure adherence to donor regulations, organizational policies, statutory requirements and ethical standards, investigate non-compliance issues, recommend corrective actions to improve operational effectiveness, while safeguarding organizational resources. 

Working closely with Finance, Programmes, HR, Legal, and external partners, the Compliance Officer will also support grant management processes, donor reporting, budget monitoring, due diligence, and audit coordination. 

Key Responsibilities of the position

Role/Mission

Review and evaluate the effectiveness of operations, internal controls, compliance with applicable laws, regulations, donor requirements, and the safeguarding of organizational assets in line with JRS Nigeria policies.
Develop, implement, and continuously strengthen compliance frameworks, policies, procedures, and internal control systems to ensure adherence to regulatory, donor, and organizational requirements while promoting effective risk management.
Monitor changes in regulatory requirements, emerging compliance risks and industry trends, and recommend appropriate mitigation measures to address potential areas of exposure.
 Collaborate with Legal, Human Resources, Finance, Operations, and Programme teams to resolve compliance issues, strengthen internal controls, and implement effective risk mitigation strategies.
Plan, conduct, and report regularly on internal audits and compliance reviews to assess adherence to financial controls, donor requirements, organizational policies, and quality standards, making recommendations for continuous improvement.
 Review activities, transactions, and payment requests to ensure adequate documentation, budget compliance, value for money, and adherence to internal controls prior to approval.
Conduct due diligence assessments of third-party vendors, contractors, partners, and business associates to ensure compliance with contractual, legal, and ethical obligations
Test and evaluate internal controls, particularly in high-risk areas, identify weaknesses, assess impact, and recommend corrective actions to strengthen the control environment.
Monitor and report on compliance performance through established metrics and key performance indicators, prepare periodic compliance reports for management, and provide guidance on matters relating to JRS Nigeria’s internal control environment.
Lead investigations into suspected fraud, misconduct, non-compliance, or unethical practices, and recommend corrective and preventive measures to mitigate future risks.
Serve as the primary liaison with regulatory authorities, external auditors, and industry bodies, ensuring effective communication and awareness of regulatory developments and best practices.
Provide training and technical support to staff and partners, promote a culture of integrity and accountability, and ensure donor-funded projects are implemented in line with contractual and regulatory obligations.
Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Profile 

Qualification/Requirements  

BSc/BA degree in Accounting, Finance and Business Administration or recognized equivalents.
5 years relevant experience.
MSc/MBA/MA degree in Accounting, Finance and Business Administration or its recognized equivalent is an added advantage.
3+ years of experience in Compliance and internal control functions.
Experience managing funding from donors such as E.U, U.S. Government grants or other client funded programs including their contracting and auditing standards for multi-year grants is required.
CPA, ACA, CIMA, CFE or any other relevant professional qualification is an advantage.

Experience and Skills  

Strong knowledge of donor regulations, contractual requirements, and applicable local laws. 
Sound knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles, financial management, and internal control practices. 
Strong budgeting and financial management skills, including experience managing multiple funding sources and general ledger transactions. 
Candidate should have proven experience in Monitoring and Evaluation and have field experience of a minimum of 2 years.
Proficiency in accounting software, databases, spreadsheets, Management Information Systems (MIS), and Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint). 
Strong understanding of risk management, compliance, and internal control frameworks.
Demonstrated professionalism, integrity, and adherence to high ethical standards. 
Excellent analytical skills with the ability to gather, verify, interpret, and analyse financial and quantitative information accurately. 
Strong attention to detail and ability to produce high-quality work with a high degree of accuracy. 
Excellent communication, interpersonal, and report-writing skills. 
Ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues, partners, subcontractors, and other stakeholders. 
 Ability to work independently, exercise initiative, and manage multiple priorities in a high-volume work environment.  
Strong organizational, planning, and time management skills, with the ability to meet deadlines. 
Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment and decision-making when handling sensitive information. 
Strong diplomacy, tact, and follow-up skills, with the ability to respond to requests in a timely and professional manner. 
Resourceful and proactive, with strong research skills and the ability to leverage technology and professional networks to achieve results. 
Ability to provide timely and accurate updates to supervisors on progress, challenges, and variances. 
Willingness and ability to travel, including at short notice. 
Experience working on donor-funded programmes, including those funded by the European Union (EU), USAID, UNHCR, or similar donors, will be an added advantage.

Qualities   

Adhere to JRS values and abide by the code of conduct and other policies.
Trustworthiness, integrity, and accountability.
Strong ability to work independently, organize work, meet deadlines, maintain composure, prioritize work under pressure, coordinate multiple tasks and maintain attention to details.
Ability to adapt to working conditions and tasks that may change with the reality of the field.
Demonstrate initiative, responsiveness and personal discipline.

Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted for further steps in the recruitment process.

JRS is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, ethnic group, or disabilities. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment.

JRS will not request any monetary payment from applicants at any stage of its recruitment process. Any request in this direction should immediately be reported as it is contrary to our values and practices.