Compliance Specialist

Water.org is seeking a Compliance Specialist to build and strengthen systems that ensure operational integrity across its global footprint. The role involves managing compliance programs across multiple legal entities and countries, supporting data privacy practices, and conducting counterparty due diligence and sanctions screening. The specialist will collaborate with Legal, Finance, HR, and regional teams to embed compliance into daily operations.

• Manage compliance program activities across Water.org's global footprint, supporting corporate governance, entity registrations, and good-standing requirements across multiple countries and legal entities.
• Support and strengthen Water.org's data privacy practices, including handling data subject requests and navigating multi-jurisdiction privacy frameworks.
• Run counterparty due diligence and sanctions screening processes including OFAC and anti-bribery compliance.
• Work as a trusted partner alongside Legal, Finance, HR, and regional country teams to embed compliance practices into day-to-day operations.
• Help shape a growing compliance program, bringing structure, documentation discipline, and independent ownership to workstreams.

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience required; degree in Legal Studies, Business, Compliance, or a related field preferred.
• 5+ years of experience in compliance, legal operations, risk management, or process-focused roles, preferably supporting global or multi-jurisdictional programs within an international nonprofit, NGO, or mission-driven organization.
• Working knowledge of data privacy, third-party due diligence, and sanctions/anti-bribery compliance is a plus.
• Strong organizational, process management, stakeholder engagement, and communication skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a global, multicultural environment.
• Proficient in written and spoken English and committed to Water.org's mission, values, and ethical standards.
• Corporate, multi-jurisdictional compliance experience across multiple legal entities; this is valued as much as, or more than, nonprofit-sector experience specifically, given Water.org's multi-country structure and operations.
• A self-starter mindset: comfortable owning compliance processes end to end with minimal day-to-day direction, and reporting outcomes rather than needing close oversight.
• Experience building or significantly maturing a compliance program, not just administering an established one, along with comfort partnering across Legal, Finance, HR, and regional teams as a collaborative advisor rather than an enforcer.