Grants Compliance Officer, LWF Department for World Service

Place of Assignment: Geneva Head Office

Contract period: initially 2 years

Work time: 100%

Start date: as soon as possible

Average travel days per year: more than 20 days

Closing dates for applications: 22 September 2025

Lutheran World Federation (LWF) World Service (WS)

The Department for World Service (LWF World Service) is responsible for carrying out diaconal response to humanitarian emergencies and human needs on behalf of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF). In pursuance of its responsibility and based on its strategy, World Service:

operates together with and on behalf of the LWF member churches;

provides support to refugees, returnees, internally displaced people, their host communities and communities at risk, emphasizing livelihoods, quality services, protection and social cohesion;

establishes and runs country programs and emergency operations;

engages in cooperation and partnership with governmental and non-governmental organizations, relevant United Nations agencies and other structures involved in humanitarian and development programs as they link to the WS mandate, and represents LWF in the ACT Alliance.

In the last few years, LWF World Service and its long-term partner Canadian Lutheran World Relief (CLWR) have been able to successfully secure a growing number of grants and contributions funded by the Global Affairs Canada (GAC). Therefore we are looking at hiring a person who will have the specific focus on GAC and bring the necessary experience to this role.

For additional information, please see here: www.lutheranworld.org/WorldService and www.clwr.org

The Grants Compliance Officer is a key support role within LWF’s Finance unit, with responsibilities spanning both donor compliance and financial management. This new role supports cross-organizational teams to ensure adherence to donor requirements, effective financial oversight of grants, and the continuous improvement of internal systems and processes. A key focus of this role is to provide compliance oversight to Global Affairs Canada (GAC)–funded projects, requiring ongoing and close collaboration with Canadian Lutheran World Relief (CLWR) under the direction of CLWR’s Director of Development Programs. The incumbent is responsible to the Global Finance Coordinator in LWF World Service with dotted lines to finance managers in dedicated country programs.

It is expected that the Grants Compliance Officer will split the work time at 50% on the Canadian government grants, and 50% on finance-related duties.

In this second aspect of the role, the incumbent is required to provide technical input on quality controls on the financial systems, procedures, reporting, budgeting, auditing and monitoring of financial risks.

A large part of the time will be spent on detailed analysis of the financial and audit reports and to provide sustainable technical solutions in line with the LWF World Service established policies and procedures and the international accounting standards and practices.

Finance Controllers are required to actively engage in the preparation of LWF World Service consolidated audit report.

Required qualifications

University degree in finance, accounting, business administration, law or a related field relevant to the position.

Excellent knowledge of GAC financial requirements and instruments, and/or other institutional donors such as international institutional donors.

Experience: minimum 5 years in financial management and/or donor management in the non-profit or international development sector with relevant experience in a senior role.

Experience in project budgeting, financial reporting, audits and procurement processes.

Strong understanding of industry regulations (e.g., GDPR, anti-bribery, anti-money laundering, OSHA, labour law).

Additional Study and experience

Excellent written and oral communication skills.

Proficiency in English. Working knowledge in French and/or Spanish are assets as well as any other LWF languages.

Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Office suite.

Familiarity with accounting systems (e.g., Sage, QuickBooks, or other ERP software).

Certification in finance such as CPA is an asset.

LWF Core Skills

Analytical thinking - Level expert

Achieving results - Level expert

Initiative – Level advanced

Accountability – Level advanced

Working effectively with others – Level advanced

Leadership – Level advanced

Required Skills

Regulatory Compliance – Level expert

Grants management – Level expert

Financial management/audits – Level expert

Project management Attention to detail – Level advanced

Capacity building/training – Level advances

Communication – Level advanced

Main duties

On grants funded by the Canadian government

Financial support

In coordination with CLWR and LWF Country Programs, participates in budget development to ensure compliance with donor requirements;

Reviews project-level financial reports and supporting documents regularly to ensure alignment of expenditures with project budgets and donor requirements;

In coordination with CLWR and LWF County Programs, supports project budgeting, financial reporting and forecasting processes;

In coordination with CLWR and LWF, coordinates internal and external audit processes and the implementation of audit findings;

Develops and maintains an overview of all grants, donor requirements, rules and regulations, and internal and external deadlines, including the filing of grant documents.

Compliance oversight

Maintains up-to-date knowledge of GAC’s compliance directives and supports CLWR and LWF to ensure compliance across projects;

Provides compliance guidance and technical support to LWF Country Programs;

Contributes to risk identification and mitigation strategies related to financial management and donor compliance;

Flags any compliance concerns or risks associated with GAC-funded projects early to CLWR for resolution and joint follow-up.

Capacity strengthening

In coordination with CLWR, participates in the capacity assessment of LWF Country Programs before proposal development;

Provides training and coaching to CLWR and LWF staff on GAC financial and compliance requirements procedures;

Participates in the onboarding of new staff and partners as needed;

Coordinates the development and distribution of compliance documents and tools (branding compliance, work plan templates).

On LWF World Service finance

Ensures compliance with internal policies (HR, Finance, Procurement, IT, Logistics, Vehicle Management, etc.) and donor regulations;

Coordinates compliance and internal audit activities with internal/external auditors, regulatory bodies, and donors;

Monitors the implementation of audit recommendations and reports progress to management;

Assesses program implementation effectiveness and compliance with donor agreements;

Identifies operational risks, fraud risks, and gaps in internal controls, and recommends corrective actions;

Monitors adherence to internal control procedures and ensures the y are updated in response to operational changes;

Provides strategic advice on risk management practices and control mechanisms;

Provides compliance-related training on risk management, fraud prevention, internal controls, and ethical standards;

Conducts special investigations and ad hoc reviews, including unannounced visits, to address suspected fraud, misconduct, or non-compliance.

Special duties: As may be assigned by the direct supervisor.

Major challenge: To develop grants compliance in this new role, fostering collaboration between all stakeholders.