About the Role
Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS), an international Catholic organisation dedicated to accompanying, serving, and advocating for refugees and forcibly displaced persons worldwide, is seeking a detail-oriented Compliance Officer to join its Nigeria team in Abuja. This role is central to strengthening JRS Nigeria's compliance framework, internal controls, and risk management systems, ensuring the organisation's operations meet donor, statutory, and ethical standards while safeguarding its resources and reputation.
Reporting to the Country Director, the Compliance Officer will conduct independent reviews, audits, and risk assessments, working closely with Finance, Programmes, HR, Legal, and external partners. The successful candidate will play a key role in grant management, donor reporting, due diligence, and audit coordination, helping JRS Nigeria maintain the highest standards of accountability and operational effectiveness in its mission to serve displaced populations.
Key Responsibilities
- Review and evaluate internal controls, compliance with laws, regulations, and donor requirements across JRS Nigeria operations.
- Develop, implement, and strengthen compliance frameworks, policies, and procedures to support effective risk management.
- Monitor regulatory changes and emerging compliance risks, recommending mitigation measures as needed.
- Collaborate with Legal, HR, Finance, Operations, and Programme teams to resolve compliance issues and strengthen internal controls.
- Plan, conduct, and report on internal audits and compliance reviews, recommending continuous improvements.
- Review transactions, payment requests, and documentation for budget compliance and value for money prior to approval.
- Conduct due diligence assessments of vendors, contractors, partners, and business associates.
- Test and evaluate internal controls in high-risk areas, identifying weaknesses and recommending corrective actions.
- Monitor compliance performance metrics and prepare periodic reports for management.
- Lead investigations into suspected fraud, misconduct, or non-compliance, recommending corrective measures.
- Serve as primary liaison with regulatory authorities, external auditors, and industry bodies.
- Provide training and technical support to staff and partners, promoting a culture of integrity and accountability.
- Perform other duties as assigned by the Country Director.
Qualifications
- BSc/BA in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field; a Master's degree is an added advantage.
- Minimum of 5 years' relevant work experience, including at least 3 years in compliance and internal control functions.
- Experience managing donor-funded programmes (EU, USAID, UNHCR, or similar), including contracting and auditing standards for multi-year grants.
- Professional certification such as CPA, ACA, CIMA, or CFE is an advantage.
- Strong knowledge of donor regulations, financial management principles, and internal control frameworks.
- Proven experience in Monitoring and Evaluation with a minimum of 2 years of field experience.
- Proficiency in accounting software, MIS, and Microsoft Office applications.
- Excellent analytical, communication, and report-writing skills.
- High level of integrity, professionalism, and sound judgment in handling sensitive information.
- Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and travel at short notice.
Benefits
- Opportunity to work with a globally respected humanitarian organisation impacting displaced communities.
- Collaborative, mission-driven work environment rooted in integrity and accountability.
- Professional growth through exposure to international donor compliance standards.
- Full-time role based in Abuja with a competitive compensation package.