The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world's largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you're a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.

Background/Context:  

The IRC has operated in Syria since 2012, providing protection, health, economic recovery, and early childhood development programs in Idleb, Aleppo, Ar-Raqqa, Hassakeh, and Deir ez-Zor, with new programs expanding into Hama, rural Damascus, and Homs. With a team of over 350 members, the IRC has established trust and strong community relationships, ensuring access and effective service delivery. 

Our longstanding experience in country to date provides a strong foundation for the IRC to further adapt and expand its programming across Syria, in order to respond to the new realities – with a greater focus on resilience and recovery initiatives. Alongside this, the IRC also plays a significant role in Syria’s NGO, donor, and coordination forums, holding key positions and actively engaging in advocacy efforts.

 

Job Overview:

The Compliance and Risk Management Coordinator will support the Country Director and the Senior Management Team (SMT) in overseeing internal controls, ethics, and compliance functions across the country program. This includes ensuring that IRC operations, as well as those of sub-grantees and partners, adhere to IRC’s policies and donor regulations.

Working cross-functionally, the Compliance and Risk Management Coordinator will ensure the consistent application of internal controls and compliance standards, ensuring that standard operating procedures and organizational policies are understood and followed. Where gaps or weaknesses are identified, the Compliance and Risk Management Coordinator will recommend appropriate corrective actions to the Country Director and SMT.

The Compliance and Risk Management Coordinator will promote a culture of integrity and high ethical standards across the organization. This includes ensuring that effective and accessible complaint mechanisms are in place and known to all staff and partners.

They are a member of the Senior Management Team (SMT), reporting to the Syria Country Director.

 

Responsibilities:

Prevention: Create a safe and compliant environment

In coordination with and under the guidance and direction of the Country Director and the Global Ethics and Compliance Unit, act as focal point for the local integration of IRC Organizational Policies and coordinate a training and awareness program for staff on ethics and compliance issues. Promote a culture of ethics, compliance, and reporting through awareness initiatives and innovative strategies across all offices.Coordinate ethics and compliance training for staff and partners, including fraud prevention and anti-corruption policies.Participate in grant start-up and closure meetings, ensuring alignment with IRC and donor compliance requirements.Maintain and monitor a country-level risk register across programs and operations

Internal Controls and Compliance Monitoring

Implement a country-level approach to internal controls, monitoring, and strengthening.Conduct regular compliance, operational, and financial reviews of IRC and partner activities to assess adherence to policies, procedures, and donor regulations.Produce clear, actionable internal reports with findings and recommendations to strengthen systems and processes.Review partner agreements and oversee transparent selection, capacity building, and compliance support to implementing partners.Review large contracts, MoUs, and service agreements to ensure donor and IRC compliance prior to signing.

Audits and Reviews

Prepare and coordinate internal audit plans and donor compliance reviews based on risk assessments.Lead or support internal audits and compliance reviews, including field visits, testing of systems, and report preparation.Follow up on the implementation of audit recommendations and compliance actions across departments.Investigations and Misconduct AllegationsEnsure staff and partners are aware of reporting mechanisms for suspected misconduct.Serve as the primary in-country liaison with the Ethics and Compliance Unit (ECU) on all allegations and investigations.Support and, if requested, conduct investigations under ECU guidance, maintaining fairness, objectivity, and confidentiality.Prepare investigation reports and ensure proper documentation and tracking of cases.Oversee and support the timely review and investigation of Employee Relations matters. Liaise with ECU on donor notifications related to misconduct and ensure proper donor coordination.

Training and Capacity Building

Design and deliver ethics and compliance training for IRC staff and partners, including training on the IRC Way and donor regulations.Develop materials and coordinate sessions in collaboration with AMU, HR, and ECU.Provide targeted compliance support to partners and sub-recipients as needed.

Staff Performance Management, Learning & Development

Hire, supervise, and build the capacity of team members in relevant technical and management competencies.Coach, train, supervise, and mentor direct-report staff, including communicating clear expectations, setting annual performance objectives, providing regular and timely positive and constructive performance feedback, and providing documented semi-annual performance reviews.Maintain open and professional relations with team members, promoting a strong team spirit and providing oversight and guidance to enable staff to successfully perform in their positions.Approve and manage time, attendance and leave requests to ensure adequate departmental coverage; ensure monthly, accurate timesheet submission and carry out probationary reviews.Hold high-quality meetings with each direct report on a regular and predictable basis, minimally on a monthly basis.Provide a measurable development plan including on-the-job learning with the aim of strengthening technical capacity, exchanging knowledge within the team, and providing guidance on career paths. As required, identify staff performance issues and work with Human Resources to document and address these in accordance with the National Staff Employment Policies.Maintain open and professional relations with team members, promoting a strong team spirit and providing oversight and guidance to enable staff to successfully perform in their positions.Promote and monitor staff care and well-being. Model healthy work-life balance practices. Support appropriate interventions in response to identified staff care needs of both national and international staff.Look for opportunities to support staff in their career growth, where appropriate.Adhere to and act in accordance with the IRC Global HR Policies and Procedures and communicate through word and example a high standard of compliance with all applicable policies and regulations.

 

Job Requirements:

Work Experience & Education:

8 years working experienceProven experience in investigation planning/execution/documentation and risk-based auditing. 

Desirable: 

Qualified internal auditor or compliance management experience (Graduate of finance, accounting, or a related business field )Experience in designing and delivering training workshops is an asset.INGO experience or have worked in a commercial/public sector international organization. Familiarity with grant requirements of major donors such as ECHO, FCDO, GFFO Counter fraud experience 

Demonstrated Skills and Competencies:

Demonstrated commitment to IRC’s mission, values, and the IRC Way – Professional Code of Conduct. High ethical standards, integrity, and professionalism in all aspects of work.Strong analytical, problem-solving, and innovative thinking skills, with the ability to develop effective solutions within legal and policy frameworks.Excellent planning, organizational, and time management skills; able to manage multiple priorities under tight deadlines. Proven interpersonal and communication skills, including influencing, negotiation, and relationship building.Ability to work independently, proactively, and with a high level of initiative. Flexible and adaptable to changing priorities and demands. Strong presentation and reporting skills. Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel; strong overall IT skills.

Language/Travel: 

Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English Arabic language skills are advantageous.Travel: 40%

 

Key Working Relationships: 

Position Reports to:  Syria Country Director
Position directly supervises:  Compliance Officer, ER Officer

Indirect Reporting: N/A
Key Internal Contacts: Members of the SMT, Head of Departments, Budget Holders, as well as the Ethics and Compliance Unit.

Key External Contacts:  N/A

 

Professional Standards: IRC staff must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way – Global Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability and Equality. In accordance with these values, IRC operates and carries out policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti-Workplace Harassment, Respect at Work Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.

Returning National Candidates: We strongly encourage national or returning national candidates to apply for this position. If you are a citizen of the country where this position is based and are currently residing outside of your home country, you may be eligible for an attractive relocation package. Eligibility is determined based on IRC's operational needs and specific role requirements. IRC strives to attract, motivate, and retain qualified national staff in our programs.

Accountability to Clients: IRC staff must adhere to the commitment of contributing to the sustainability and development of its (CR) Client Responsiveness Mechanisms, preserving the culture of prioritizing the needs of our clients and affected communities by systematically listening to their perspectives and using their feedback to make programmatic decisions and give them greater influence over program design and delivery.

#LI-DNI

Standard of Professional Conduct:The IRC and the IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way – our Code of Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability, and Equality.