Subcontracting Compliance Officer

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 50 countries and more than 25 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.

THE PURPOSE of the ROLE:

Working in partnership with local and national civil society organizations and governmental partners is fundamental to IRC’s mission! Effective local partnerships enable the IRC to pursue its objectives, resulting in more adaptable and durable assistance that reaches more people and produces better outcomes for our clients! Investing in local partners not only recognizes those organizations as allies in achieving the IRC’s core outcomes, but also acts as a motivation and driver of change.

The AMU Compliance and Policy (C&P) Subcontracts Compliance Officer will support and guide on IRC’s subcontract and partnership portfolio, serving as a main point of contact for staff on sub-contract related questions. Serving as an in-house subcontract and PEERS expert, building the knowledge and capacity of staff, while continuously encouraging the deeper realization of IRC’s partnership principles. This position reports to the Deputy Director of Sub-awards and Partnerships Compliance.

Key Working Relationships

Donor Compliance Specialist team; Program and Awards Support Teams, Technical Units

Key Accountabilities

Partnership agreements and subcontracts drafting

• Develop compliant sub-agreement templates based on the donors’ rules and requirements (private and institutional donors), and leading the review process with Donor Compliance Specialists and IRC departments, as needed

• Regularly maintain and update partnership agreement templates. Ensure precise PEERS references, standardized notes, and unified formatting for country office use. Generate accurate and multi-lingual templates.

• In collaboration with OGC and other collaborators, develop subcontract templates for newly awarded contracts, ensuring templates have clear guidance notes and follow the prime contract terms and conditions.

Sub-agreements and subcontracts review and approval – private and statutory donors

• Working through the OTIS system (i.e. grants management application system) and as per PEERS approval thresholds, review and approve:

• Escalated partnership packages, including due diligence documentation and the sub-award/partnership agreements, for compliance with IRC’s internal procedures;

• subcontracts and supporting documents for completeness and, if incomplete, work with teams to revise the submission accordingly.

Advice, mentorship and capacity-building

• Ensure overall compliance to IRC systems and policies by providing direct day-to-day support and assistance on the development, review, and execution of subcontracts and sub-grant agreements. Act as a compliance focal point for partnerships under private funding, and other statutory donors, by providing guidance and advice on the processing/implementing of PEERS, IRC internal policies and sophisticated donor rules and regulations.

• Build IRC staff knowledge and provide mentorship on the subcontracting and partnership agreement due diligence and PEERS processes with a focus on developing complete contract/agreement packages to ensure IRC staff efficiently identify and mitigate risks associated with specific partnerships. Strengthen IRC staff capacity on agreement review processes by providing ad hoc mentorship and facilitating PEERS specific info sessions and induction training to improve their skills. Developing an internal library of resources and regularly update training material resources and partnership processes.

Systems strengthening

• Collaborate across departments (e.g. C&P Donor Specialists, Finance, Ethics and Compliance, and Office of the General Counsel) to find broader solutions as they relate to subcontracts and partnership agreements

• Provide response to partners’ questions and concerns. Coordinating and engaging other departments (e.g. OGC) for input as needed. In close collaboration with other AMU departments, assist in the ongoing refinement and updating of PEERS and develop partnership tools and training, keeping in mind practicality of implementation and major donor guidelines to ensure a consistent application of PEERS.

• Explore opportunities for more data analysis and data-informed decision-making with other teams (finance, RPAS, donor specialists, etc.).Facilitate community of practice on compliance, partnerships, and partner support across country offices

• Participate and engage in contract readiness activities and lead or support in the development of Subcontracting Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and update/revise Subcontracting manuals.

• When needed and upon request, assist with other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Demonstratable professional experience working on contracts and subcontracts in the context of USAID or FCDO funded projects

• Solid understanding of USAID and/or FCDO policies and procedures, specifically in contacts and subcontracts

• Demonstrated experience developing subcontracts and partnership agreements

• Excellent attention to details

• Demonstrated ability to communicate sophisticated topics, related to donor or legal compliance, finance, contracts management, and procedures to a wider audience (e.g. across cultures and staffing levels)

• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to optimally and efficiently converse with donors, partners, and other internal departments

• Ability to learn and roll-out new systems and operating procedures. Previous experience in developing compliance tools, templates, and/or trainings for multicultural settings a plus.

• Ability to problem-solve in a fast-paced team environment and prioritize accordingly;

• Ability to travel up to approximately 20% of time;

• Excellent digital literacy: MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and email/internet software.

• Excellent written and verbal command of English, French

Disclaimer

Nothing in this description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. The job description is subject to change depending on the needs of the organization.

Compensation:

Posted pay ranges apply to UK-based candidates. Ranges are based on various factors including the labor market, job type, internal equity, and budget. Exact offers are calibrated by work location, individual candidate experience and skills relative to the defined job requirements.

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.

Commitment to Gender, Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion: The IRC is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, respectful, and safe work environment where all persons are treated fairly, with dignity and respect. The IRC expressly prohibits and will not tolerate discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or bullying of the IRC persons in any work setting. We aim to increase the representation of women, people that are from country and communities we serve, and people who identify as races and ethnicities that are under-represented in global power structures.