Program Background

The Agrifood System Transformation for Youth Employment (ASTYE) Uganda program

ASTYE is a 5-year transformative initiative designed to enable dignified and fulfilling work opportunities primarily for financially disadvantaged young women, refugees, and vulnerable groups by addressing structural barriers in Uganda’s Agrifood system. Aligned with Uganda’s Vision 2040, the National Development Plan and Government of Uganda Agriculture Value Chain Development Strategy, the program will contribute to national efforts toward poverty alleviation, economic growth, as well food and nutrition security. Additionally, ASTYE is part of the Mastercard Foundation’s Young Africa Works strategy in Uganda, which aims to empower 4.3 million young Ugandans, particularly young women, by addressing structural barriers to employment and providing them with the skills and resources to succeed.

Specifically, GOAL will implement component one to reach 500,000 financially disadvantaged young people, with 400,000 transiting into work and 320,000 securing dignified and fulfilling work. As the program is young women-centric, 80% of the total outreach target will be young women within Uganda’s agrifood ecosystem. Furthermore, 3% of the total youth in work target will be refugees, and another 3% will be people with disabilities.

General Description of the Role

The Internal Audit & Compliance Officer will be responsible for promoting a culture of compliance and awareness of donor requirements, GOAL policies, and government rules and regulations, and for ensuring adherence to these standards across all GOAL offices and sub-grantees/partners within the ASTYE Programme.

The role will also be responsible for supporting Internal Audit to conduct Internal Audits and Finance reviews for GOAL field locations and Partners. The position holder will undertake quarterly compliance spot checks and field visits and attend grant management meetings. He/She will be responsible for preparing Bi-annual compliance reports using a standard template for submission to Head Office. This process will include performing tests on sample transactions to ensure compliance with donors, GOAL and Government rules, laws and regulations.

Key responsibilities include:

Compliance

• Keep ASTYE staff informed about compliance risks and emerging issues.
• Prepare quarterly compliance reports, as assigned by HQ, by reviewing transactions across Human Resources, Procurement, and other risk areas. Ensure reports use the standard GOAL format, demonstrate adherence to procedures, and provide a clear audit trail.
• Deliver training to HR and Systems staff on donor rules and regulations, the Anti-Terrorist Screening System (ATSC), sanctions compliance, national legislation in Uganda, and other requirements as assigned.
• Complete donor compliance bi-annual reports for submission to HQ.
• Maintain and regularly update the compliance action point tracker, ensuring timely follow-up on open issues.
• Ensure adherence to GOAL’s procedures, policies, and internal controls as outlined in relevant manuals and guidelines.
• Monitor compliance with government regulations and provide timely updates on regulatory changes to management staff

Internal Audit

• Contribute to the preparation of a risk-focused annual audit calendar and ensure it is shared with auditees.
• Assess and provide independent assurance on the adequacy of GOAL’s internal control systems across all departments, recommending improvements where necessary.
• Ensure timely submission of audit reports and facilitate discussions of identified gaps with relevant stakeholders.
• Conduct regular audits of GOAL locations and implementing partner operations to ensure compliance with GOAL, donor, and government regulations.
• Follow up on audit findings through the consolidated Issues Log System to ensure timely resolution and implementation of corrective actions.
• Develop a strong understanding of GOAL and donor requirements from proposal development through to final project audits.
• Gain in-depth knowledge of internal procedures and donor requirements related to procurement, finance, and partner management.
• Continuously update knowledge of donor-specific requirements and audit practices, with particular focus on the ASTYE Programme.
• Support the Internal Audit & Compliance Manager in coordinating quarterly Risk Register reviews for GOAL Uganda.
• Ensure risk management processes, aligned with the COSO framework, are effectively embedded throughout the organization.

HQ Reporting Requirements

• Ensure annual conflict of interest declarations are completed, maintain COI database and ensure all COI declarations are responded to
• Ensure all HQ compliance training requirements for both GOAL and partner staff are met and training tracker is kept up to date

Job Level Specifications

Essential

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Business Administration (Accounting), Commerce (Finance/Accounting)
• Minimum 3 years’ experience in risk-based auditing and compliance
• Knowledge in donor rules and regulations
• Experience in executing financial and other wrongdoing investigations.

Desirable

• ACCA/CPA/CIMA at least level 2.
• Experience in Anti-Terrorist Check-ups and other sanctions on lists required by different donors and/or management of automated systems on this subject.
• Experience in verification of compliance with internal control policies and procedures with emphasis on the areas of Logistics, procurement, finance, partnership and human resources.
• Experience in compliance review of reports submitted by Sub-Agreements signed with partners and preparation of reports.
• Experience in support for compliance reports and/or internal audit of different areas such as subsidies, human resources, purchasing, inventories, distribution, control of advances for activities and travel expenses.