Global Compliance Manager

Title: Global Compliance Manager

Location: The United States (HQ-based) is the preferred option, with Belgium or UK offices as alternatives.

Salary: $82,000 - $95,000 annum (Please note that the salary range indicated applies to US-based positions only. For Belgium or UK-based positions, compensation will be aligned with the respective country’s salary scale.)
Reports to: Chief Operating Officer
Type: Full-time
Travel: Occasional (up to 20%)

About NEF

Since 1915, NEF has supported community-led economic and social development in Middle East, Africa, and Caucasus. As a non-profit international development organization, NEF draws on local teams, experience, and partnerships in these regions to create community-led solutions to reduce poverty, create economic opportunity, increase resilience, and empower conflict, climate- and crisis-affected people to improve their outlook and wellbeing.

NEF works through a network of country offices and with local partners, with current or recent operations in Armenia, Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq, Mali, Morocco, Palestine, Sudan, South Sudan, and Syria. Our global headquarters are based in Syracuse, NY, London, UK, and Brussels, Belgium.

Position Overview

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.

Key Responsibilities

1. 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.
  

2. 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).

3. Partner, Vendor & Staff Vetting / Due Diligence

• 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.

4. Whistleblowing, Complaints & Internal review (Compliance-related)

• 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.

5. Support to Country Teams

• 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.

6. Training, Capacity Building & Prevention

• 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.

7. Reporting, Documentation & Continuous Improvement

• 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.

Key Interfaces

• COO


• Country Directors and Operations Managers


• UK and Belgium Executive Directors


• Finance, HR, Legal, and Safeguarding functions


• External auditors, donors, and legal counsel (as needed)

Profile & Experience

• 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.

Eligibility Criteria

Preference will be given to candidates based in the United States (Syracuse, HQ). However, candidates based in Belgium or the United Kingdom will also be considered. Candidates should possess the right to work in the location where they are applying.

Please note that the salary range indicated applies to US-based positions only. For Belgium or UK-based positions, compensation will be aligned with the respective country’s salary scale.

NEF will accept a rolling application until the position is filled. Review of application will begin on April 20, 2026. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. 

To apply:

Please apply by submitting the following documents to the Near East Foundation’s careers page at https://neareast.org/current-opportunities/:

1. Cover letter outlining all relevant experience, how you meet the essential criteria.


2. Curriculum Vitae.


3. List of three references (including one from current, or most recent, employer). You will be given further notice prior to us contacting references.

Please note only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Near East Foundation by visiting the NEF website at www.neareast.org

The Near East Foundation promotes Equal Employment Opportunities for all applicants seeking employment and NEF employees.

Pre-employment Checks 

Any Employment with the Near East Foundation will be subject to the following checks prior to start date: 

• A satisfactory Restricted Party Screening; 


• Receipt of satisfactory references;


• Proof of eligibility to work in the national location for this role.