Compliance & Business Ethics Manager (North West Indian Ocean Region)

Job Purpose

The Compliance & Business Ethics Manager NWICO is responsible for leading and supporting the implementation of the Compliance & Business Ethics program across the assigned sub-region.
The role focuses on promoting a strong culture of integrity, ensuring adherence to internal policies and regulatory requirements, and supporting prevention, detection, and response activities related to compliance risks and misconduct.
The position acts as a trusted advisor to management and employees by providing practical compliance guidance, conducting reviews and investigations, strengthening internal controls, and driving continuous improvement of compliance processes and ethical standards across affiliates and business lines.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the deployment and execution of the regional Compliance & Business Ethics program across affiliates and business units.
• Ensure effective implementation of compliance policies, procedures, standards, and internal control frameworks.
• Promote a culture of integrity, ethics, transparency, and accountability across the organization.
• Support the adaptation of global compliance initiatives to local operational and regulatory environments.

Risk Assessment & Advisory

• Identify, assess, and monitor compliance and ethical risks within the sub-region.
• Provide practical and risk-based compliance advice to management and operational teams.
• Support business stakeholders in implementing corrective and preventive measures to mitigate compliance exposure.
• Ensure compliance risks are appropriately escalated and documented.

Training & Awareness

• Develop and deliver compliance and business ethics training sessions for employees and management.
• Increase awareness regarding anti-corruption, conflicts of interest, fraud prevention, whistleblowing, sanctions, data protection, and other compliance-related topics.
• Promote the effective use of the SGS Integrity Helpline and other reporting channels.
• Contribute to strengthening the organization’s ethical culture through awareness campaigns and communication initiatives.

Compliance Reviews & Internal Controls

• Conduct compliance reviews, integrity assessments, audits, and control evaluations based on a risk-oriented approach.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of internal controls and recommend process improvements where necessary.
• Monitor adherence to minimum control standards and regulatory obligations.
• Track remediation actions and ensure timely follow-up on identified gaps and deficiencies.

Investigations & Case Management

• Conduct or coordinate internal investigations related to misconduct allegations, policy violations, fraud, corruption, conflicts of interest, or other compliance concerns.
• Prepare investigation reports and support remediation and disciplinary recommendations when required.
• Coordinate with HR, Legal, Finance, and management during investigations and case resolution processes.

Reporting & Monitoring

• Contribute to compliance reporting activities, KPI monitoring, dashboards, and management updates.
• Analyze trends, root causes, and recurring compliance issues to support continuous improvement initiatives.
• Maintain accurate compliance documentation, investigation records, and monitoring reports.
• Support reporting obligations toward regional and global compliance leadership.

Stakeholder Collaboration

• Collaborate closely with HR, Legal, Finance, Internal Audit, and operational leadership on compliance matters.
• Support and coordinate the network of local compliance ambassadors across the sub-region.
• Build strong relationships with business stakeholders while maintaining independence and professional judgment.
• Act as a trusted business partner capable of balancing compliance requirements with operational realities.
 

• Degree in Law, Compliance, Risk Management, Finance, Audit, or a related field.
• 8 years’ experience, including 5 years specializing in: Compliance, Investigations, Integrity / Ethics and Internal controls or risk management.
• Experience in an international or matrix organization is preferred (Big 4).
• Strong knowledge of compliance frameworks and internal control environments.
• Excellent communication, analytical, and stakeholder management skills.
• High level of integrity, confidentiality, and professionalism.
• Fluent in French and English.
• Professional certifications such as CIA, ACCA, CFE, or CAMS are a plus.