2180 DIRECTOR, COMPLIANCE

The National Endowment for Democracy (NED), a federally funded, private, nonprofit grant making organization that works to support freedom around the world, seeks a Director, Compliance within the Grants Operations & Evaluation department. This position is based in Washington, D.C.

Position Summary:

The Director, Compliance, provides management and leadership to a team of 20+ staff and its activities, reporting to the Vice President, Grant Operations and Evaluation. This position plays a central role in ensuring compliance with grantmaking procedures required by law and the processes established by NED, in accordance with NED’s authorizing legislation and other applicable legal and regulatory guidance. This position oversees the direction and performance of the grantmaking program’s practice of risk-based monitoring and audit coverage of NED’s large and complex international grant portfolio, utilizing an appropriate combination of technical expertise in fields such as accounting, auditing, and fraud, waste, and abuse. The Director champions the department’s innovation efforts, fosters institutional collaboration and cooperation, and represents the compliance function to senior leadership and other stakeholders. The Director serves as a senior key member of NED’s grantee fraud investigation committee and is the point of contact on grant financial monitoring and compliance for external audits.

Responsibilities:

• Provide leadership and management to the Compliance department, ensuring effective leadership and management of sub-sections, supervision of the unit’s administrative budget, and consistent application of policy, procedure, and judgment in line with the mission of NED and the department; motivates staff to fulfill the operational tasks of the unit as well as support the broader missions of NED.
• Ensure that NED’s approach is at the forefront of best auditing practices concerning international grantee monitoring and is aligned with NED’s unique mission, such as guiding staff on the implementation of effective audit techniques and technical assistance to strengthen financial capacity of grantees.
• Establish, maintain, and update Compliance policies and procedures in compliance with US Federal rules and regulations.
• Promote a culture that enhances collaboration across the multiple organizational lines of the grantmaking program and provide the ensuing trouble-shooting capacity necessary to ensure its effectiveness and fast work pace.
• Develop and ensure adherence to effective grantee fraud mitigation strategies capable of deterring and detecting instances of grantee mismanagement and/or fraud.
• Serve as a senior member of the NED Standing Review Committee that directly manages and responds to allegations of grantee fraud.
• Oversee and perform additional activities central to the Compliance team’s operational mandate, including:
  • travel domestically and overseas to conduct on-site financial and compliance reviews of grantees;
  • develop and present financial management and capacity strengthening workshops to staff and grantees;
  • provide periodic updates to senior leadership on the work of the department;
  • report quarterly to the Board of Directors on allegations of grantee fraud;
  • participate in ad hoc committees to develop organization-wide policies and procedures in compliance with US Federal guidelines.

Qualifications:

• Knowledge/Experience:

  • Advanced degree in accounting, finance, or related discipline.
  • Authoritative command of Federal regulations including the Federal Uniform Guidance and GAO’s Yellow Book Auditing Standards, and thorough understanding of GAAP or GAAS, and common audit procedures and techniques.
  • Professional certifications/credentials preferred, including Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), and Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE).
  • 11-14 years of experience, including senior level and hands-on audit experience, with at least 4 years in a supervisory role.
  • Understanding of the operation of international grants programs with demonstrated experience with:
  • Oversight and management of government grants and contracts
  • Fraud prevention, investigation, and reporting
  • Risk-based monitoring
  • Monitoring of funds awarded to U.S. and Non-U.S. organizations.
  • Solid comfort level with grant management, auditing, and MS Office software.

• Other Qualifications:

  • Ability to provide nuanced responses applicable to NED’s unique compliance context.
  • Effective writing and speaking skills to effectively communicate decisions, procedures, and analyses.
  • Working knowledge of and ability to analyze and streamline business processes and workflows.
  • Appreciation of the NED’s mission. Related regional, functional, and language capabilities a plus.
  • Ability to travel overseas.
  • Authorized to work in the United States.

• Competencies:

  • Demonstrated leadership, management, problem-solving skills.
  • Excellent writing, editorial, and oral communication ability.
  • High degree of organizational sensitivity, political acumen.
  • Self-motivated with respect to prioritizing, meeting, and overseeing critical project milestones and deadlines.
  • Ability to work effectively with all levels of staff to build good working relationships.
  • Dynamic ability to manage and motivate a team and foster an environment of fairness with respect to cultural and individual differences.
  • Effective interpersonal skills capable of reaching across organizational hierarchies and structures, as well as contacts within federal agencies and other relevant constituencies.
  • Ability to present audit findings with tact, sensitivity, and discretion.
  • Ability to implement innovative solutions in monitoring, auditing, and compliance.