Senior Compliance Officer

Senior Compliance Officer

Internews works globally to ensure people everywhere can access trusted, quality information that empowers participation, accountability, and healthier, more informed communities. For more than 35 years, in over 100 countries, we have strengthened local media, supported civil society, and helped millions of people access crucial information across issues such as health, governance, conflict, and the environment.

We are an international nonprofit with administrative hubs in California, Washington DC, London, and Paris. Our teams represent a wide mix of backgrounds, identities, cultures, and lived experiences. We actively foster an environment rooted in dignity, belonging, justice, and flexibility.

We are seeking a high-performing, experienced, and self-directed compliance professional to provide maternity cover within the Grants, Contracts & Compliance (GCC) department.

This role requires someone who operates with excellence, independence, and sound judgement from day one—a person who is confident navigating complex donor rules, shaping risk‑mitigation strategies, and leading award management processes without needing extensive onboarding. We are seeking an experienced practitioner with proven applied experience, rather than a purely theoretical background.

You will oversee the full lifecycle of European donor‑funded awards, ensuring rigorous contractual and regulatory compliance across Internews. Working closely with colleagues across Programmes, Finance, and Global Development, you will help maintain a culture where doing things right is prioritised over shortcuts.

The ideal candidate brings deep expertise with major European donors (European Commission, Sida, FCDO), a proactive mindset, and the ability to lead, train, and influence teams across the organisation.

• Review and approve proposal budgets for assigned funding opportunities.
• Review donor agreements and ensure terms are acceptable; support the Director of GCC in strengthening organisational risk‑mitigation practices.
• Advise staff on Internews' internal and donor rules across the project cycle.
• Work with Programme Officers and cross‑functional teams on effective project start‑up, including inductions, adapting award procedures/templates, and ongoing staff training; conduct country visits when required.
• Collaborate with Finance to support successful programme audits.
• Maintain and update organisational data on institutional donor platforms (e.g., EU Transparency Register, IATI).
• Develop and maintain training materials and guidelines for at least one major donor; provide expert compliance guidance across GCC.
• Deliver inductions and training for new and junior GCC staff.
• Set up and maintain complete and up‑to‑date award records in line with donor and Internews requirements.

• At proposal stage, review and approve teaming agreements and NDAs with bid partners.
• Review and approve donor budget submissions, ensuring accuracy, consistency, compliance, and adequacy.
• Coordinate pre‑award due diligence for prospective donors.
• Review and negotiate donor agreements and modifications, managing associated risks.
• Establish and maintain proposal, award, and contract records within the award management system, including significant data entry.

• Advise staff on procurement requirements and maintain internal records for procurements under awards.
• Support development of compliant procurement plans.
• Lead and administer higher‑value procurements, including negotiating contractor terms.
• Draft and execute sub‑contracts and amendments in full compliance with donor and Internews policies.
• Troubleshoot contractual issues, prepare termination notices, and manage related risks.
• Prepare procurement documentation for audits and serve as point of contact for procurement audit processes.
• In all duties, uphold Internews' Core Values and demonstrate commitment to fostering a culture of Belonging, Dignity, and Justice.

• Line‑manage GCC staff when assigned.
• Deputise for the Director of…