Job Description

Description
ROLE PURPOSE:
The Regional Ethics & Compliance Officer (RECO) plays a critical role in ensuring that the Aspen's business activities across the assigned region comply with all relevant Aspen policies, procedures, ethical standards, and applicable laws.
The RECO must have an in-depth knowledge of the pharmaceutical industry and specific business activities undertaken by Aspen in the region. He/she must always fully understand Aspen's business' goals (group and regional), as well as the broader industry standards.
The RECO works closely with regional leadership teams and enablement functions to drive a culture of integrity and compliance within the region. They will lead and manage the execution of Aspen's ethics & compliance programme in the region, investigate potential violations (where required), and provide guidance on ethical matters to safeguard Aspen's reputation and mitigate risks.
The RECO maintains a high level of independence to effectively oversee and manage regional ethics and compliance matters without undue influence from business or operational priorities. The RECO will therefore have a direct reporting line to the Group Head: Ethics & Compliance, ensuring that he/she is empowered to act without fear of retaliation and that all ethics & compliance issues, risks, and concerns are escalated appropriately and receive the necessary attention in accordance with the Board's mandate and delegation of authority.
KEY PERFORMANCE AREAS:
Ethics & Compliance Program Development and Implementation:

• Implement and maintain a regional ethics and compliance program in alignment with the Group ethics & compliance program & Group policies across the EME businesses, harmonizing practices across diverse regulatory environments.
• Ensure that local laws and regulations are incorporated into the EME's ethics & compliance framework.
• Monitor and assess the effectiveness of the ethics & compliance program, recommending adjustments or improvements as needed.

Risk Management and Monitoring:

• Identify, evaluate, and mitigate regional ethics & compliance risks, including those related to anti-bribery, anti-corruption, data protection, healthcare regulations, and international trade regulations.
• Conduct regular audits and assessments of regional operations to ensure adherence to ethics & compliance standards.
• Maintain a risk register and monitor evolving compliance and ethical risks specific to the pharmaceutical industry.
• Work closely with the Aspen's Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) team to integrate ethics and compliance risks into the broader regional risk management framework.

Training and Awareness:

• Prepare annual training schedules for employees and relevant third parties.
• Develop and deliver training to employees at all levels (such as Ethical Leadership training and other where face to face engagement is necessary or preferable).
• Conduct regular awareness campaigns about ethics & compliance issues with the aim of developing employees practical understanding and acumen in the relevant areas (e.g., conflicts of interest, gift & hospitality guidelines, reporting mechanisms).
• Ensure that new hires undergo mandatory ethics and compliance training as part of their onboarding.

Investigation and Reporting:

• Under the direction of the Group Investigations Manager, investigate (as required) potential ethical violations, including fraud, conflicts of interest, and regulatory breaches.
• Collaborate with the appropriate counterparts on disciplinary actions, investigations, and reporting of violations.
• Report ethics & compliance issues to Group Head: Ethics & Compliance and ensure timely corrective actions are taken.

Collaboration and Stakeholder Engagement:

• Visible key participant in strategic business discussions of EME.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to regional business leaders, offering guidance on compliance issues and ethical dilemmas.
• Collaborate with the Group Ethics & Compliance team to align regional activities with global strategies.
• Work with cross-functional teams, including legal, HR, marketing, sales, and operations, to ensure that ethical considerations and compliance are embedded in all business processes.
• Key role player in the EME Integrity Committee, providing guidance and direction on adherence to ethics and compliance standards.

Regulatory Affairs and Reporting:

• Stay updated on regional legal and regulatory developments affecting the region, including healthcare regulations and anti-corruption laws.
• Prepare and submit required reports and documentation to Group.

Ethics & Compliance Communication:

• Promote transparent communication of Aspen's ethical standards and compliance policies.
• Ensure that the company's Code of Conduct and related policies are easily accessible and clearly understood by employees (reviewing translated documents for accuracy).
• Foster a culture of ethics & compliance through open and effective communication channels.

Ethics & Compliance Audits:

• Support internal or external auditors on audits conducted and monitor CAPA implementation by the relevant EME business.
• Review the effectiveness of internal controls and provide recommendations for improvements to mitigate any identified ethics & compliance risks.

Financial:

• Manage the regional ethics & compliance budget, including allocation of resources for training, audits, and investigations.

Human Capital:

• Provide leadership and development support to any direct reports, including performance management, coaching, and succession planning, to build a high-performing regional ethics & compliance function.
• Oversee and lead the Assistant RECOs to ensure effective and timely execution of their functions in the relevant business units.

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES:
Enterprise Risk Management Process (ERMP):

• Engage with business leaders and key stakeholders within EME to identify and evaluate and rate strategic risks and agree mitigations on a quarterly basis.
• Maintain the strategic risk register for the EME businesses.
• Submit Quarterly ethics & compliance risk assessments and strategic risk registers for review in accordance with the ERMP.

Business Continuity Management Process:

• Support the development and implementation of EME's BCMP.

Requirements
ROLE REQUIREMENTS:
Legal and Regulatory Knowledge:

• In-depth knowledge of and experience with global compliance laws and standards relating to anti-bribery and anti-corruption laws (e.g. UK Bribery Act, FCPA), sanctions & export controls, data privacy (like GDPR), antitrust/competition and human rights.
• Knowledge and experience with global standards relating to pharmaceutical marketing and scientific engagement is strongly preferred.

Compliance Experience:

• Proven experience in implementing and managing compliance programs.
• This includes developing and implementing local policies, procedures, and controls to ensure adherence to Group ethics & compliance standards.
• Experience in conducting risk assessments and investigations.
• The ability to identify potential compliance risks, conduct investigations into alleged violations, and implement corrective actions.
• Experience in monitoring and reporting on compliance activities.
• Tracking and reporting on key performance indicators (KPIs).

Regional Experience:

• Experience working in the Middle East, or Europe.
• Understanding the cultural nuances and business practices in these regions is beneficial.
• The ability to effectively communicate and collaborate with individuals from different cultural and professional backgrounds is crucial.

Familiarity with local laws and customs:

• Understanding how regional laws and customs might impact compliance efforts is important.

Additional Desired Experience:

• Experience with digital systems and records management.
• Managing compliance data and ensuring data privacy is important.
• Professional qualifications and certifications: Relevant certifications in compliance, risk management, or law are often preferred.

Business Acumen:

• Understanding of business operations and processes.
• The ability to connect compliance requirements to the specific business context and provide practical solutions is important.

Experience working with various stakeholders:

• The ability to collaborate with business leaders, legal teams, internal audit, and other relevant departments is essential.

Strong analytical and problem-solving skills:

• The ability to analyze complex situations, identify potential issues, and develop effective solutions is crucial.

Interpersonal and Communication Skills:

• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• The ability to communicate compliance requirements clearly and effectively to various audiences, including senior management, is vital.

Strong interpersonal skills:

• The ability to build relationships, influence stakeholders, and work collaboratively in a diverse environment is essential.

Ability to work independently and as part of a team:

• The role requires the ability to manage multiple priorities, work independently, and collaborate effectively with others.

Other:

• Impeccable integrity, solid judgment, discretion, and finesse in handling sensitive matters/information.
• Emotional intelligence and diplomacy.
• Ability to balance the region achieving its business goals whilst complying with applicable laws, ethical standards, and Aspen's policies.
• Ability to work under pressure.

Level of Education required:

• Cert/Diploma/Registrations - Admitted Attorney / Certified Public Accountant (CPA)/ Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) or similar related certification is strongly preferred.
• Bachelor's degree - A bachelor's degree in a related field like law, finance, business administration.

Years of experience required:

• Minimum 5- 10 Years - Proven experience in managing the implementation of a global ethics & compliance programme.

Aspen Competencies:
BUSINESS:

• Performance Driven
• Makes Good Decision
• Accountability/Ownership

PEOPLE:

• Communicate Effectively
• Lead and Influence others

SELF:

• Continuously grow and develop
• Take action with integrity

Key Attributes:
BUSINESS:

• Initiative
• Multi-tasking
• Results oriented
• Planning and organisational skills
• Focused
• Information seeking
• Business analysis and financial skills
• Problem-solving and good judgment
• Resource efficiency
• Risk management
• Visioning
• Cooperation
• Proactive
• Responsibility & Accountability
• Resilience

PEOPLE:

• Informal Communications Skills
• Active listening skills
• Writing skills
• Presentation skills
• Meeting facilitation
• Empathy
• Leadership
• Credibility
• Networking Skills
• Organizational awareness
• Influence Skills
• Pragmatic

SELF:

• Curiosity / learning agility
• Self-awareness
• High standards
• Personal responsibility
• Self-assurance
• Honesty
• Ethical Conduct

"At Aspen, our culture is built on core values that drive our success and foster a supportive, innovative environment. We value Teamwork, where diverse perspectives and skills come together to enhance creativity and problem-solving. Innovation is at our core, as we continually seek better ways to achieve our goals and remain at the forefront of our industry. We demonstrate Commitment by exceeding expectations and building long-term relationships, while always striving for Excellence in everything we do. Our foundation of Integrity ensures that honesty, ethical behaviour, and accountability guide our decisions. By proceeding with this job application, we understand that you share these values, and we look forward to reviewing your application and engaging with you further."
Work Level
Skilled
Type
Permanent
Salary
Market Related
EE Position
No
Location
Dubai