Assistant Risk and Compliance Officer at World Vision Kenya

Job Description

Overview

VisionFund Kenya is a dynamic financial services company and a key investment of World Vision Kenya, committed to fostering sustainable financial inclusion.

Risk and Compliance at VisionFund Kenya plays a vital role in the organization’s overall risk management and compliance function. The Assistant Internal Controls and Compliance Officer will support the Internal Controls and Compliance Officer in the day-to-day management of risk and compliance, testing adherence to applicable laws, regulations and internal policies, and supporting safeguarding so that our clients and staff are protected from harm. Your attention to detail, analytical skills and understanding of regulatory requirements will be crucial to the institution’s compliance.

Key Responsibilities

1. Risk Management Support (30%)

• Collect and analyse portfolio, operational and transaction data to help identify, measure and rank risks.
• Help carry out risk assessments of operations, products, branches and processes, and record mitigating actions.
• Maintain the risk register and key risk indicator tracker, with risk owners and status.
• Review policies and procedures against identified risks and flag gaps.
• Track audit, regulator and management recommendations and follow up for timely implementation.
• Help prepare contingency and business continuity plans and track their testing.

2. Compliance Monitoring and Testing (25%)

• Help identify the laws, regulations and agreements that apply to VisionFund Kenya and keep the obligations register current.
• Test branch and Head Office compliance with policies, procedures and controls using checklists, and record exceptions.
• Prepare and track statutory and regulatory returns and filings against their deadlines.
• Check compliance with credit information requirements, including client consent for credit reference bureau checks.
• Log compliance breaches and follow them up to closure.

3. Reporting and Data Management (15%)

• Prepare draft risk, compliance and exception reports for the Internal Controls and Compliance Officer and the Head of Risk and Compliance.
• Maintain the risk and compliance database and records of incidents, breaches and corrective actions.
• Keep risk and compliance documents and evidence organised, secure and confidential.

4. Safeguarding Support (15%)

• Support the Safeguarding Focal Point in training staff and partners on safeguarding measures.
• Help conduct safeguarding surveys and compile the results.
• Keep confidential safeguarding case records and log reported incidents for action.
• Help train clients on reporting platforms and check that reporting channels work and are visible in branches.

5. Planning and Coordination (10%)

• Assist in preparing the annual risk and compliance plan, compliance calendar and follow-up checklists.
• Schedule branch reviews, trainings and awareness sessions, and prepare the materials.
• Keep the calendar of statutory and regulatory deadlines up to date.

6. Any other duties assigned by the supervisor (5%)

Ideal Candidate Profile

Required Knowledge and Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Risk Management, Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, Law or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• Minimum of 1–2 years’ experience in risk management, compliance, internal audit or a related field, preferably in a financial institution or microfinance environment.
• Working knowledge of risk management principles, compliance frameworks and the regulations that apply to microfinance and credit providers in Kenya, including data protection and credit information sharing.
• Experience supporting risk assessments, compliance checks, audits or regulatory reviews.
• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to analyse financial and operational data and present findings clearly.
• Excellent attention to detail and organizational skills, with the ability to multitask and meet deadlines.
• Good written and verbal communication skills in English and Kiswahili, including report writing and presenting to staff and clients.
• Proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• High ethical standards, a proactive mindset, and the ability to keep confidential and sensitive information, including client and safeguarding information.
• Ability to work independently and with teams across departments.
• Willingness to travel to branch offices and field locations when required.

Desirable (not mandatory)

• Professional certification in compliance, risk management or accounting (e.g., CRCM, CRM, CFE), or progress towards one.