Director of Compliance

Everyone deserves the opportunity to build a better future. This simple idea has been at the heart of TechnoServe’s work around the world for over 50 years. TechnoServe is a pioneer in leveraging the power of business and markets to create sustainable pathways out of poverty.

The low-income communities in which we work are full of enterprising people. Their small-scale farms and businesses are the keys to economic development. But they face many challenges: low literacy, lack of access to jobs and markets, unpredictable political dynamics and, increasingly, the effects of climate change. For many women and young people, the challenges are even more daunting. Working with TechnoServe staff, people around the world are lifting themselves out of poverty. The results are amazing...when incomes increase and living conditions for families get better, they are able to access health care and education previously out of reach. Communities and even whole countries are better off. 

Job Summary:

The Director, Compliance (DC) is primarily responsible for ensuring compliance with domestic and international statutes and regulations, award terms, donor requirements, and policies and procedures within the organization. As the compliance leader, the DC establishes standards and implementing procedures to ensure that the compliance programs throughout the organization are effective and efficient in identifying, preventing, detecting, and correcting noncompliance with applicable laws and regulations, award terms, donor requirements, and policies and procedures within the organization. 

The DC is not expected to be a substantive expert in all areas of compliance, but is responsible for coordinating with and among TechnoServe departments such as accounting/finance, grants & contracts, human resources, legal, and internal audit to ensure active and updated compliance programs.  The DC shall provide reasonable assurance to senior management and the Audit Committee of the Board that there are effective and efficient policies and procedures in place that are well understood and respected by all employees, and that the company is complying with all major regulatory requirements. The DC shall be an observer at all TechnoServe Ethics Committee meetings.

The DC reports to the General Counsel and serves as a member of TechnoServe’s Senior Management Team. The DC will also have a direct line of communication to the Audit Committee of the Board and will report to the Audit Committee on a regular basis about important issues, progress on improvement programs, and any material violations.

Primary Responsibilities:

•  Develop and communicate the annual compliance work plan and oversee its implementation and periodic revision.
•  Working with the substantive departments (accounting/finance, human resources, legal, and internal audit), establish a knowledge base of existing and emerging regulatory compliance requirements across the organization, including those related to U.S. government contracts and assistance awards.
•  Ensure that all necessary organizational policies and procedures exist and are up-to-date, accessible to staff, broadly understood, and followed. As appropriate, draft or recommend new policies and procedures or updates to existing policy and procedures to maximize staff adherence.
•  Periodically analyze internal business systems to ensure they meet or exceed industry compliance and ethics standards.
•  Establish a help-desk function to address staff day-to-day questions on compliance matters.
• Design and deliver regular training and educational programs to improve employee understanding of applicable laws, rules, and regulatory requirements, with particular emphasis on program administration for TechnoServe’s key donors (such as USAID, USDA, and FCDO).
• Manage the organization's Code of Conduct, including its content and annual training to all staff
•  Prepare and present clear and concise compliance reports to the Board.
•  Coordinate with the General Counsel to interact with donors and regulators on compliance issues.
•  In coordination with the Ethics Committee, develop policies and programs that encourage managers and employees to report suspected fraud and other improprieties, without fear of retaliation.
•  Coordinate internal compliance review and monitoring activities, including periodic reviews across substantive departments (accounting/finance, human resources, etc.).  Design control systems to address cases of violation of internal policies
•  Monitor organizational developments to anticipate compliance issues and ensure integration of compliance considerations and controls into planning processes.
•  Investigate and act on matters related to compliance in coordination and consultation with the Ethics Committee and/or General Counsel.

Basic Requirements:  

•     BS/BA in finance, accounting, business, economics, law, or similar plus twelve years of professional experience
•     Ten or more years of relevant experience in an international, grant-funded nonprofit organization.
•     Deep understanding of rules and regulations applicable to international nonprofit organization risk management.
•     Expert knowledge of rules and regulations associated with major funder organizations, with particular emphasis on USAID, USDA, and FCDO.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

•     Excellent communication & interpersonal skills.
•     Fluency in Spanish or French a significant plus.
•     Willingness to travel internationally as needed.

We are open to remote applicants for this position. However, if you are located within 50 miles from our Arlington, VA, Headquarters, you will be expected to work from HQ on the first and third Thursdays of each month.

We encourage all qualified individuals who share TechnoServe's vision of improving the lives of others through proven business solutions to apply.

With our commitment to diversity, we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and affirmative action employer and do not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, color, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, HIV/AIDS status, protected veteran status, disability and all other protected classes.

We are also proud of our commitment to protecting staff, partners, and beneficiaries from abuse and exploitation and thoroughly vet all final candidates through rigorous background and reference checks.

If you have a disability that affects your ability to use our online system to apply for a position at TechnoServe please contact the Human Resources at recruitment@tns.org or call 1 202 785 4515.