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Compliance & Investigations Officer

Position Overview

The Compliance & Investigations Officer is responsible for supporting the organization's ethics, compliance, and investigative functions by ensuring that complaints are handled professionally, investigations are conducted objectively, and corrective actions are effectively implemented. The role plays a critical part in safeguarding organizational integrity by identifying compliance risks, investigating potential violations, strengthening internal controls, and promoting a culture of accountability and ethical conduct.

Working closely with internal departments and external partners, the successful candidate will assess allegations of misconduct, gather and analyze evidence, prepare investigation reports, monitor implementation of corrective actions, and support compliance improvement initiatives. The role also contributes to policy compliance, partner due diligence, staff awareness programs, and continuous enhancement of the organization's governance framework.

Key Responsibilities

1. Complaint Assessment & Case Management

• Receive, screen, and assess complaints to determine their nature, priority, and appropriate course of action.

• Review allegations to establish jurisdiction, credibility, and potential compliance risks.

• Register, categorize, and maintain accurate records of reported cases while ensuring confidentiality.

• Coordinate the assignment and progression of investigations in accordance with organizational procedures.

• Monitor investigation timelines to ensure cases are handled efficiently and within established service standards.

• Maintain secure case files and documentation throughout the investigation lifecycle.

2. Investigations & Evidence Collection

• Conduct fair, objective, and impartial investigations into reported cases of misconduct, fraud, ethical breaches, or policy violations.

• Develop investigation plans that outline objectives, methodologies, timelines, and evidence requirements.

• Conduct interviews with complainants, respondents, witnesses, and other relevant stakeholders using established investigative procedures.

• Gather, preserve, and analyze documentary, electronic, and physical evidence to support investigation findings.

• Assess evidence objectively and ensure all investigations are conducted in accordance with legal and organizational requirements.

• Maintain confidentiality and integrity throughout the investigative process.

3. Reporting & Recommendations

• Prepare comprehensive investigation reports outlining findings, conclusions, and recommendations.

• Present investigation outcomes to management and other authorized stakeholders.

• Draft investigation-related correspondence, witness statements, summaries, and supporting documentation.

• Ensure reports are accurate, objective, evidence-based, and completed within agreed timelines.

• Recommend corrective, preventive, and disciplinary actions where appropriate.

• Maintain complete documentation to support future reference, audits, or legal proceedings where necessary.

4. Compliance Monitoring & Risk Management

• Conduct compliance reviews to identify operational, regulatory, and ethical risks across the organization.

• Collaborate with relevant departments to perform system reviews and identify process weaknesses.

• Monitor implementation of corrective action plans and recommend additional measures where required.

• Track risk mitigation initiatives and evaluate their effectiveness in reducing compliance risks.

• Support the development and enhancement of internal controls and governance frameworks.

• Identify emerging compliance issues and recommend proactive solutions.

5. Audit & Regulatory Support

• Coordinate responses to internal and external compliance audits.

• Work closely with departmental teams to ensure audit recommendations are implemented effectively.

• Monitor compliance with organizational policies, donor requirements, and applicable regulations.

• Prepare documentation required during compliance reviews and regulatory inspections.

• Support continuous improvement initiatives arising from audit findings and compliance assessments.

6. Partner Compliance & Due Diligence

• Support the evaluation of implementing partners and third parties from a compliance and risk management perspective.

• Review partner agreements, contracts, and related documentation to ensure compliance with organizational policies and procedures.

• Conduct compliance assessments and recommend improvements where necessary.

• Monitor partner compliance with contractual obligations and governance requirements.

• Support ongoing due diligence activities for new and existing partners.

7. Ethics, Training & Awareness

• Promote a strong organizational culture of integrity, accountability, and ethical conduct.

• Design and deliver training sessions on ethics, compliance, fraud prevention, and reporting mechanisms.

• Increase employee awareness of compliance policies, reporting channels, and organizational standards.

• Encourage timely reporting of ethical concerns while protecting confidentiality and non-retaliation principles.

• Develop communication materials that strengthen compliance awareness across the organization.

8. Continuous Improvement

• Identify opportunities to strengthen compliance processes and investigative procedures.

• Recommend improvements to policies, systems, and internal controls that enhance organizational governance.

• Support the development and implementation of compliance improvement initiatives.

• Keep abreast of emerging regulatory requirements, compliance trends, and investigative best practices.

• Perform any other duties assigned in support of organizational objectives.

Qualifications

Applicants should possess:

• Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice, Criminology, Law, Sociology, Finance, or another related Social Science discipline from a recognized institution.

Professional certifications in Compliance, Fraud Examination, Risk Management, Internal Audit, or Corporate Governance will be an added advantage.

Experience

The ideal candidate should have:

• Minimum five (5) years' experience in compliance, investigations, ethics, audit, fraud risk management, governance, or a related field.

• Experience conducting workplace investigations, compliance reviews, or internal audits.

• Experience working within NGOs, international organizations, donor-funded programmes, or regulated institutions will be an added advantage.

• Proven experience preparing investigation reports and managing sensitive cases.

Technical Knowledge & Skills

The successful candidate should demonstrate expertise in:

• Compliance investigations and case management.

• Risk assessment and internal controls.

• Evidence collection and investigative interviewing techniques.

• Compliance monitoring and audit support.

• Policy interpretation and regulatory compliance.

• Contract and partner compliance reviews.

• Data analysis and investigative reporting.

• Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Word and Excel.

• Report writing, documentation, and records management.

Core Competencies

The successful candidate should demonstrate:

• Excellent analytical and critical thinking skills.

• Strong investigative and problem-solving abilities.

• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills in English and Kiswahili.

• Excellent report writing and presentation skills.

• High level of integrity, professionalism, and ethical judgment.

• Strong organizational and time management skills.

• Ability to manage confidential information with discretion.

• Excellent interpersonal and stakeholder management abilities.

• Ability to prioritize multiple assignments and adapt to changing priorities.

• Self-motivation, initiative, and the ability to work independently with minimal supervision.

• Strong commitment to organizational values, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Why Join Us?

This role offers an excellent opportunity to contribute to an organization committed to the highest standards of ethics, accountability, and transparency. As a Compliance & Investigations Officer, you will play a key role in strengthening governance systems, protecting organizational integrity, and promoting a culture of compliance while working with multidisciplinary teams dedicated to delivering meaningful impact.

Application

Go to International Rescue Committee on theirc.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com to apply