Compliance Specialist

Role Overview

This position sits at the heart of Water.org's efforts to operate responsibly across multiple countries and legal entities. You will own and refine the compliance processes that protect the organization’s partnerships, reputation, and the trust of the communities it serves. Your work will span governance, data privacy, and third-party screening, helping a growing compliance function mature into a structured, dependable program.

Key Responsibilities

• Maintain compliance activities across Water.org's global footprint, including corporate governance, entity registrations, and ongoing good-standing obligations for each country of operation.
• Support the global data privacy program by handling data subject requests and aligning practices with privacy regulations that apply across multiple jurisdictions.
• Conduct counterparty due diligence and sanctions screening, including OFAC and anti-bribery checks, to assess risk before engaging with external organizations.
• Act as a collaborative resource for Legal, Finance, HR, and regional country teams, helping them integrate compliance into everyday operational decisions.
• Develop and strengthen processes, documentation, and controls for compliance workstreams, bringing structure to areas that are still being built.
• Monitor regulatory and legal changes that affect Water.org's operations and help update policies and procedures accordingly.
• Provide practical guidance to internal stakeholders on compliance obligations, data handling, and third-party risk management.

Requirements & Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; a degree in Legal Studies, Business, Compliance, or a related field is preferred.
• At least 5 years of experience in compliance, legal operations, risk management, or process-focused roles, with preference for work supporting global or multi-jurisdictional programs.
• Working knowledge of data privacy, third-party due diligence, or sanctions and anti-bribery compliance is a plus.
• Strong organizational skills, process management capabilities, and clear written and spoken English.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a multicultural environment while working alongside colleagues in different time zones.
• A self-starter who can own compliance processes end to end and report outcomes without needing constant direction.
• Experience building or significantly maturing a compliance program—not just administering an existing one—is highly valued, as is comfort working as a trusted advisor to leadership teams.

What We Offer / Why Join

This position offers country-specific benefits and a competitive, market-based salary, with periodic reviews for merit and incentive pay based on organizational and personal achievement. You will have the opportunity to shape a compliance function at a globally respected organization, contributing directly to its ability to bring safe water and sanitation to millions of families.