Jhpiego, is seeking a highly qualified Compliance Manager to supports effective compliance and risk management within the country office by identifying and assessing risks, reviewing internal controls, monitoring compliance, and working with country management to develop and follow up on appropriate risk mitigation measures.
The Compliance Manager will be based in Lilongwe, Malawi, reporting directly to the Country Program Manager, and working closely with country leadership, the Senior Director Compliance, and functional teams. The Compliance Manager leads risk assessments, and provides compliance oversight, guidance and training across key operational areas, including procurement, financial management, asset and inventory management, subrecipient monitoring and other operational areas.
The role ensures adherence to Jhpiego, Johns Hopkins University, donor and applicable regulatory requirements while promoting accountability, transparency, strong internal controls, and a culture of compliance across the country program.
Job Summary
- Employer: Jhpiego
- Job Type: Full-time
- Location: Lilongwe, Malawi
- Category: Compliance
- Salary: competitive salaries and a comprehensive employee benefits package
- Closing Date: 2026-10-16
Key Responsibilities
- Serve as the primary country-level compliance focal point, providing management with practical advice on compliance requirements, emerging risks, control weaknesses and appropriate mitigation measures.
- Prepare an annual risk-based compliance monitoring plan, including routine reviews, spot checks, field visits, and other compliance activities.
- Monitor compliance with donor requirements, contractual obligations, organizational policies and procedures, and applicable laws and regulations.
- Conduct periodic reviews of key operational processes, including procurement, financial management, assets, inventory, fuel, and other higher-risk areas, and recommend improvements to strengthen controls and reduce opportunities for fraud. Track and report on the implementation of compliance recommendations, corrective actions, and management action plans.
- Facilitate periodic discussions with country leadership on key compliance risks, trends, outstanding corrective actions and areas requiring management attention.
- Conduct or support risk assessments, monitoring visits, compliance reviews, and other oversight activities for subrecipients.
- Work with program, finance, grants, and subrecipient teams to address identified compliance gaps and monitor implementation of corrective actions.
- Support external audits, donor reviews, JHU audits, Internal Compliance Reviews, and other compliance assessments in coordination with Finance and country leadership.
- Support management in responding to audit and compliance findings and developing appropriate corrective actions.
- Monitor and regularly report on the status and timely closure of audit findings, compliance recommendations, and agreed management actions.
- Conduct or support compliance investigations, special reviews, analytical assignments, and other reviews under the guidance of the Sr. Director Compliance, as needed.
- Maintain and promote a strong compliance and ethics environment and serve as a confidential point of contact for reporting compliance concerns, misconduct, or irregularities.
- Promptly escalate suspected fraud, gross misconduct, or significant compliance concerns in accordance with Jhpiego’s established reporting and escalation requirements.
- Work with country and global leadership to promote a culture of integrity, accountability, transparency, and zero tolerance for fraud and misconduct.
- Provide compliance, ethics, risk management, and internal control training based on identified staff and organizational needs.
- Disseminate practical tools, guidance, and best practices to strengthen compliance and internal controls across country operations.
- Provide ongoing compliance guidance and technical assistance to program, finance, procurement, grants, administration, and other relevant teams.
- Maintain current knowledge of donor requirements, organizational policies, relevant laws and regulations, and evolving compliance and risk management practices.
- Ensure compliance with applicable requirements related to debarment, sanctions, anti-terrorism, and other relevant regulatory obligations.
- Support implementation of standard compliance processes and tools across the country office.
- Maintain effective communication and provide guidance to country leadership and relevant functional teams regarding significant compliance risks, findings, trends, and required actions.
- Represent the compliance function, as appropriate, in relevant internal, donor, partner, or stakeholder meetings.
- Undertake other compliance, risk management, and special assignments as requested by the Country Program Manager / Country Director or Sr. Director Compliance.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s Degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, Economics, or a related field; advanced degree preferred.
- Minimum 6-7 years of progressively responsible experience in internal or external audit, compliance, risk management, internal controls, accounting, or a related field.
- Professional certification such as CPA, ACCA, CIA, CISA, or equivalent preferred.
- Experience working with an international NGO, donor-funded, or grant-funded organization, preferably in an international development setting.
- Demonstrated experience applying donor rules and regulations, particularly U.S. Government and other major institutional donor requirements.
- Experience conducting or supporting audits, compliance reviews, risk assessments, internal control reviews, and/or investigations.
- Experience providing compliance guidance and training to cross-functional teams preferred
Salary
competitive salaries and a comprehensive employee benefits package
How to Apply
About the Company
Jhpiego is a nonprofit organization for international health affiliated with Johns Hopkins University. The group was founded in 1973 and initially called the Johns Hopkins Program for International Education in Gynecology and Obstetrics, but is now referred to simply as Jhpiego.
Website: https://jhpiego.org/
Frequently Asked Questions
What qualifications and certifications are typically required for a Compliance Manager role with an NGO like Jhpiego in Malawi?
Most employers require a bachelor's degree in law, finance, business administration, or a related field. Professional certifications such as Certified Compliance & Ethics Professional (CCEP) or Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) are highly valued. Experience with donor regulations like USAID or PEPFAR compliance is often essential given Malawi's heavy reliance on international development funding.
What are the typical day-to-day responsibilities of a Compliance Manager in Malawi's NGO sector?
Daily tasks include monitoring adherence to donor agreements, conducting risk assessments, and training staff on ethical standards and procurement rules. You will also review financial reports, investigate compliance breaches, and liaise with auditors. Strong documentation skills are critical as Malawian NGOs face intense scrutiny from international donors.
How does local work culture in Malawi affect the Compliance Manager role?
Malawian workplaces emphasize respect for hierarchy and relationship-building, so you must balance firm enforcement of rules with diplomatic communication. Punctuality and detailed record-keeping are expected, especially given strict donor deadlines. Understanding local languages like Chichewa helps when training field staff in rural districts where English proficiency varies.
What career progression opportunities exist for Compliance Managers in Malawi?
With experience, you can advance to Regional Compliance Officer covering multiple countries, or transition into Director of Operations or Chief of Party roles. Some professionals move into consultancy serving multiple NGOs, or join donor organizations like USAID or UN agencies based in Lilongwe. Specialized expertise in health sector compliance is particularly transferable given Malawi's strong HIV and maternal health programming.
What benefits are typically offered to Compliance Managers by international NGOs operating in Malawi?
Benefits usually include medical insurance covering local and sometimes regional treatment, pension contributions compliant with Malawi's pension laws, and annual leave of 20-25 days plus public holidays. Many organizations provide hardship allowances for remote postings, relocation support, and professional development funding. Housing or housing allowances are common for senior positions in Lilongwe or Blantyre.
How should I apply for a Compliance Manager position, and what do Malawian employers prioritize in candidates?
Apply through the organization's official careers portal or reputable job boards like ReliefWeb or NGO Pulse, submitting a tailored CV and detailed cover letter highlighting donor compliance experience. Employers prioritize demonstrated knowledge of USAID or CDC regulations, previous audit experience, and references from reputable organizations. Being registered with relevant Malawian professional bodies and showing commitment to ethical standards strengthens your application significantly.