ROLE PURPOSE: 

The Risk and Compliance Officer – Partners plays a vital role in supporting the Risk and Compliance Manager in strengthening and monitoring internal controls, managing risks, and promoting ethical practices specifically within local implementing partners across the Country Programme. This role ensures that partners operate in full compliance with SCI policies as per the Sub-grant agreements (SGA), donor regulations, and national laws, contributing to the overall integrity and accountability of joint operations. 

Working closely with partner organizations, the Officer conducts regular compliance reviews, risk assessments, and capacity-building activities to enhance partner systems and controls. S/he supports the development and monitoring of partner risk registers, participates in project kick-off and review meetings, and ensures that risks are identified and mitigated throughout the project lifecycle. 

The Officer also contributes to fraud prevention and ethical programming by delivering awareness sessions and supporting investigations when necessary. 

Through consistent engagement, field visits, and collaboration with internal teams, the Officer helps foster transparent, ethical, and high-performing partnerships that support the success of the Country Programme..

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY: 

Compliance and Assurance

Under the supervision and guidance of the Risk and Compliance Manager:

• Participate in the development and implementation of a risk-based annual compliance and assurance work plan focused on local implementing partners.
• Conduct compliance reviews of partner operations including finance, procurement, HR, and supply chain to ensure adherence to SCI policies, donor regulations, and national laws.
• Conduct compliance reviews of partner operations including finance, procurement, HR, and supply chain to ensure adherence to SCI policies, donor regulations, and national laws.
• Carry out field visits to partner offices to assess operational practices, internal controls, and risk mitigation measures.
• Perform ad hoc reviews of partner procurement processes, asset management, and financial transactions.
• Prepare and share compliance reports with the Risk and Compliance Manager, highlighting findings and recommendations.
• Follow up on the implementation of compliance findings and agreed actions with partner organizations.
• Maintain a digital library of partner-related policies, procedures, and compliance tools for partners.

Partner Risk Management

• Under the guidance of the Risk and Compliance manager, participate in partner assessments using the Partner Assessment Tool (PAT) to evaluate systems, controls, and compliance readiness.
• Provide technical support to partner staff in identifying, documenting, and mitigating risks throughout the project lifecycle.
• Participate in project kick-off meetings and walkthroughs with SCI and partner teams to ensure risk awareness and integration.
• Monitor updates to project-level risk registers  related to implementing partners and ensure they reflect current realities and mitigation strategies.

Investigations and Counter-Fraud (Partner Focus)

• Support investigations into suspected fraud, bribery, corruption, or misconduct involving implementing partners.
• Assist in managing reporting obligations related to partner fraud cases in coordination with the Risk and Ethics leadership.

Partner Capacity Building

• Support and contribute to partner capacity-building initiatives aimed at strengthening governance, financial management, and compliance systems.

Ethical Programming and Awareness

• Deliver fraud and ethical awareness sessions to partner staff and suppliers in collaboration with the Risk and Compliance Manager and Ethical Programming Manager.

Promote a culture of integrity, transparency, and accountability within partner organizations.

QUALIFICATIONS 

Essential

• Bachelor Degree in Management, accounting Finance or any other relevant sectors.
• Experience of working in the corporate, humanitarian or development sector at similar level
• minimum of 3 years working in Fraud management, Risk Management, internal audit or compliance or any relevant department
• Experience of working in large diverse teams with colleagues from many cultures backgrounds
• Exceptional communication and organisational skills, and highly competent in developing and implementing systems, business processes and procedures
• Highly competent in Microsoft office software
• Exceptional coordination skills
• Fluent written and spoken English

Very confident in dealing with large groups of people and with senior level visitors and partners.

BEHAVIOURS (Values in Practice)

Accountability:

• Holds self accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving and role modelling Save the Children values
• holds the team and partners accountable to deliver on their responsibilities - giving them the freedom to deliver in the best way they see fit, providing the necessary development to improve performance and applying appropriate consequences when results are not achieved.

Ambition:

• sets ambitious and challenging goals for themselves and their team, takes responsibility for their own personal development and encourages their team to do the same
• widely shares their personal vision for Save the Children, engages and motivates others
• future orientated, thinks strategically and on a global scale.

Collaboration:

• builds and maintains effective relationships, with their team, colleagues, Members and external partners and supporters
• values diversity, sees it as a source of competitive strength
• approachable, good listener, easy to talk to.

Creativity:

• develops and encourages new and innovative solutions
• willing to take disciplined risks.

Integrity:

• honest, encourages openness and transparency; demonstrates highest levels of integrity