Quality Assurance and Compliance Officer

Job Advertisement

Position Title: Quality Assurance and Compliance Officer
Location: Abuja
Country: Nigeria
Deadline Date:

Job Details

Job Posting Organization:
The World Health Organization (WHO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for international public health. Established on April 7, 1948, WHO has a mission to promote health, keep the world safe, and serve vulnerable populations. The organization operates in over 150 countries and has a workforce of more than 7,000 employees. WHO's primary goal is to ensure that all people can attain the highest possible level of health, and it works in collaboration with various partners to achieve this objective.

Job Overview:
The Quality Assurance and Compliance Officer will play a crucial role in supporting the Quality Assurance and Compliance Unit within the WHO. This position is designed to ensure that the organization adheres to its policies, procedures, and regulations, particularly in the context of the Global Management System (GSM). The incumbent will be responsible for developing and implementing risk-based annual work plans, conducting compliance reviews, and providing support for internal control processes. The role requires a proactive approach to identifying weaknesses in administrative practices and implementing recommendations to enhance accountability and efficiency. The officer will also facilitate capacity development activities for staff and implementing partners, ensuring that they are well-equipped to manage partnerships effectively. This position demands a strong understanding of financial management principles and the ability to analyze complex data to produce insightful reports for various stakeholders.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide support in the preparation of the Quality Assurance unit's risk-based annual work plan, incorporating the risk universe of the country operation.
• Conduct post reviews of GSM transactions in the country office and field offices to ensure alignment with WHO rules and regulations.
• Plan and perform compliance, risk management, and quality assurance reviews in state offices to strengthen internal control in the country office.
• Conduct Assurance Activities for Direct Implementation Activities, including planned quality assurance reviews, spot checks, and desk reviews for Direct Implementation documents in the field offices.
• Plan, conduct, and report on comprehensive on-site verification missions of supporting documents to assess whether funds transferred to Implementing Partners were used in accordance with contractual requirements and relevant WHO policies and procedures.
• Ensure systematic tracking of recommendations and management decisions to address identified weaknesses effectively.
• Contribute to strengthening the administrative capacity of implementing partners for improved accountability.
• Support the continuous improvement of processes around implementing partnership management through the development and enhancement of policies, procedures, guidelines, and tools.
• Facilitate capacity development activities for country office staff and implementing partners on implementing partnership management through training sessions, workshops, and presentations on risk management, internal controls, and fraud risk management. 1
• Prepare reports for Country Offices, Regional Office, and HQ as required. 1
• Perform special reviews and other tasks assigned by the Quality Assurance and Compliance Officer.

Required Qualifications:
Essential: A secondary/technical or commercial college diploma in Business Administration, Financial Management, Auditing, Economics, or a relevant field. Desirable: A university degree or professional certification in auditing/accounting, such as Certified Internal Auditor, Certified Public Accountant, or Chartered Accountant. Candidates should possess thorough knowledge of accounting, budgetary, and financial management principles and their application, as well as an excellent understanding of accounting practices and procedures, including the application of IPSAS. Strong analytical, time management, and problem-solving skills are essential, along with knowledge of WHO rules, regulations, policies, and practices.

Educational Background:
Candidates must have a secondary/technical or commercial college diploma in a relevant field such as Business Administration, Financial Management, Auditing, or Economics. A university degree or professional certification in auditing/accounting is desirable, as it demonstrates a higher level of expertise and commitment to the field.

Experience:
A minimum of 10 years of experience in auditing, internal control, risk management, or financial management is essential. Candidates should have experience in assessing internal controls and ideally have work experience in Audit or Quality Assurance with an international public accounting firm. Experience working in an international organization or public sector is also desirable, as it provides valuable insights into the complexities of global health governance and compliance.

Languages:
Essential: Expert knowledge of English is required for effective communication and reporting. Desirable: A working knowledge of French would be an advantage, as it may facilitate communication with French-speaking stakeholders and partners.

Additional Notes:
This position is classified as a National Professional Officer role, meaning that only applications from nationals of Nigeria will be accepted. The remuneration package includes an annual base salary starting at USD 27,973 per year, subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance. Employees are entitled to 30 days of annual leave. The WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and encourages applications from women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of underrepresented Member States. The organization has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, and other forms of abusive conduct. Candidates may be required to undergo a background verification process, and a written test may be used as a form of screening. The statutory retirement age for staff appointments is 65 years.