Global Compliance Manager

Near East Foundation•Syracuse, NY

1d•$82,000 - $95,000

About The Position

NEF is recruiting a Global Compliance Manager to play a central role in strengthening, coordinating, and advancing the organization’s compliance systems, policies, and oversight across all locations. The Global Compliance Manager is responsible for leading and coordinating NEF’s global compliance function, ensuring that the organization operates in full compliance with donor requirements, regulatory obligations, internal policies, and ethical standards across all countries of operation. Reporting to the COO, this role provides practical oversight, guidance, and assurance across compliance domains including donor compliance, partner due diligence, vetting, internal review, sanctions, whistleblowing, and institutional risk mitigation. The position is operational in nature, supporting country teams and leadership to prevent, identify, and address compliance risks, while strengthening NEF’s systems, documentation, and audit readiness.

Requirements

Minimum 8–10 years of experience in compliance, risk management, audit, or governance within NGOs, international organizations, or regulated environments.
Strong familiarity with donor compliance frameworks and operating in fragile or conflict-affected contexts.
Proven experience managing investigations, due diligence, or audit processes.
High level of integrity, discretion, and sound judgment.
Ability to balance firm compliance standards with operational pragmatism.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
Candidates should possess the right to work in the location where they are applying.

Responsibilities

Global Compliance Framework & Governance Serve as the institutional focal point for global compliance across NEF.
Maintain, review, and support implementation of NEF’s global compliance policies and tools, including: anti-fraud and anti-corruption, whistleblower and grievance mechanisms, partner and vendor due diligence, sanctions and counter-terrorism compliance, misconduct disclosure and vetting frameworks.
Translate donor compliance requirements into clear operational guidance for country teams.
Support COO in compliance-related reporting to senior management and governance bodies.
Donor Compliance & Audit Readiness Provide compliance oversight for donor-funded projects, ensuring adherence to contractual obligations, donor rules, and reporting requirements.
Support country teams in responding to donor audits, spot checks, and compliance reviews, including preparation of documentation and corrective action plans.
Review and advise on high-risk donor clauses and compliance implications during proposal and contract stages (in coordination with programs, finance, and legal).
Oversee partner and vendor due diligence processes, including risk assessments, sanctions screening, and compliance checks.
Ensure consistent application of staff vetting and misconduct disclosure processes in line with safeguarding and integrity standards.
Maintain oversight of sanctions screening processes and documentation.
Act as the primary compliance focal point for whistleblower reports, fraud allegations, corruption concerns, and other compliance-related complaints.
Manage or coordinate compliance internal review, including: intake and triage, risk assessment, coordination with legal counsel where required, documentation of findings and recommendations.
Ensure internal reviews are conducted in line with NEF policies, due process, confidentiality, and non-retaliation principles.
Coordinate closely with HR on cases involving staff relations, while maintaining clear boundaries between. HR processes and compliance internal review.
Provide practical, real-time compliance advice to Country Directors, Operations Managers, and Finance teams.
Support country offices in navigating complex operating environments, including sanctions regimes, regulatory uncertainty, and donor scrutiny.
Promote a culture of compliance that is supportive, proportionate, and operationally realistic.
Develop and deliver compliance training and awareness sessions for staff and partners (e.g. fraud prevention, whistleblowing, donor compliance).
Support the integration of compliance considerations into onboarding, partner engagement, and operational planning.
Identify recurring compliance gaps and propose preventive measures.
Maintain centralized compliance records and case tracking (secure and confidential).
Produce periodic compliance summaries and risk trends for senior management.
Contribute to the continuous improvement of NEF’s compliance systems, tools, and controls.