Risk & Compliance Officer

Job Description

CRS JOB ADVERT – INTERNAL/EXTERNAL

WOMEN ARE HIGHLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY

CRS is recruiting for Position: X 1 – Risk & Compliance Officer.

If you are interested and your profile matches the requirements, please read the below job descriptions, and follow the instructions to submit your application package. 

Job Title: Risk & Compliance Officer

Department: Operations

Reports To:        Country Manager

Country:             Catholic Relief Services Sierra Leone

Duty Location: CRS Freetown

Job Summary: 

You will conduct risk related activities for the country program (CP) including sub-recipient compliance adhering to CRS policies, local laws, and donor regulations to help ensure effective delivery of high-quality programming to the poor and vulnerable.  Your knowledge and skills will help reduce risk to staff, to the effectiveness of our programming, and to the people we serve through the application of the principles of stewardship, integrity, transparency, and accountability.

Roles and Key Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with the compliance manager and CP leadership on strengthening internal control systems and processes. 
• Help identify risk issues and challenges and solutions to address them.
• Help implement and advise on the sub-recipient financial management policy (SRFMP)
• Support the planning and performance of internal audits, control reviews and compliance assessments, and conduct audit activities as applicable. Help analyze results and provide recommendations.
• Support the design and facilitation of training and institutional capacity strengthening plans for CRS and partners.
• Support external audits and coordination of action plans to close out audit findings.
• Develop and support the implementation of standard operating procedures and corrective actions.

Basic Qualifications

• Associate’s degree or formal vocational training is required. 
• Minimum 5-7 years’ work experience, ideally with an international organization, with progressive responsibility in operations and/or programming. 
• With least 2 of these years entailing audit, compliance or risk management experience.

Preferred Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, Business Administration or other relevant Bachelor’s strongly preferred. 
• Accounting and other relevant certification(s) a plus.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of audit standards and compliance regulations and familiarity with international standards for internal control and risk and compliance management (e.g., COSO, ISO, COBIT)
• Familiarity with accounting systems.
• Proficient in MS Office package (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Visio) and information management systems.
• Good relationship management skills
• Good analytical, organizational, and systems thinking skills 
• Ability to make sound judgment
• Ethical conduct in accordance with recognized professional and organizational codes of ethics
• Proactive, resourceful and results-oriented

Required Languages: Strong written and oral communication skills in English required.

Travel: Must be willing and able to travel up to 25%.

Supervisory Responsibilities: None

Key Working Relationships:  

Internal: CRS Sierra Leone Leadership, Operations and Programs Team

External: Partners, Legal Advisor, Department of States, etc.  

Agency Competencies (for all CRS Staff)

• Personal Accountability – consistently takes responsibilities for one’s own actions.
• Acts with Integrity  – consistently models values aligned with CRS Guiding Principles and mission. Is considered honest.
• Builds and Maintains Trust  – shows consistency between words and actions.
• Collaborates with Others – works effectively in intercultural and diverse teams.
• Open to Learn – seeks out experiences that may change perspective or provide an opportunity to learn new things.

Agency Leadership Competencies:

• Lead Change – continually looks for ways to improve the agency through a culture of agility, openness, and innovation.
• Develops and Recognizes Others – builds the capacity of staff to reach their full potential and enhance team and agency performance.
• Strategic Mindset – understands role in translating, communicating, and implementing agency strategy and team principles.

About Us

Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. Catholic Relief Services works to save, protect, and transform lives in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality. Catholic Relief Services’ relief and development work is accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding. We welcome as a part of our staff people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need. CRS’ processes and policies reflect our commitment to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation. 

CRS welcomes candidates from the countries and regions in which we work. In the event the successful candidate is an expatriate, the anticipated duration of the assignment is informed by a term limit, based on the type and level of the job and the needs of the agency. 

CRS is committed to safeguarding program participants, community members, staff and volunteers from all forms of exploitation and abuse. The successful candidate is expected to sign and adhere to CRS´ Code of Conduct. 

CRS talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to safeguarding the rights and dignity of all people – especially children and vulnerable adults – to live free from abuse and harm. 

CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer. 

By applying to this job, I understand and acknowledge that CRS requires its staff to treat all people with dignity and respect and to actively prevent harassment, abuse, exploitation, and human trafficking. Further, I understand that if I am a successful candidate, I will be subject to a comprehensive background check, and my personal/professional references will be asked to evaluate my behaviors related to safeguarding-related topics. 

Also send a copy of your application package to the desk Officers, Ministry of Employment and Social Security, New England and Extension Offices in Applicants’ Locations 

Disclaimer:  This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position. 

To apply, please send in your application, updated CV and a cover letter to the email below:

sl_recruitment@crs.org on the subject/heading: Risk & Compliance Officer.

Closing Date for the receipt of application packages is Friday 27th March 2026, at 05:00 PM.