Title: Risk and Compliance Specialist
Level:P-3
Reports to: Deputy Representative - P5
Duration: 03 months
Section: Operations Section
Location: Islamabad, Pakistan
Eligibility: All Fixed-Term, Permanent or continuing appointment UNICEF staff members currently working in UNICEF worldwide.
Background
The Risks and Compliance Specialist is to be positioned in Islamabad with significant and complex programmatic and operational risks and challenges which require a dedicated position to support the Senior Managers in making sure that resources are continuously, effectively and efficiently geared towards achieving results for children.
Purpose of the Position
Under the supervision of the Deputy Representative Operations, the Risk and Compliance Specialist will be responsible for strengthening risk assurance and compliance efforts in the context of a large/medium/small scale country office.
He/She will be responsible for providing complementary support, and monitoring related to the management of risk, including but not limited to the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of risk management practices at a process, systems, and entity level.
He/she will ensure the achievement of risk management objectives follows organizational rules and regulations, and acceptable ethical behavior; internal controls; information and technology security; sustainability; and quality assurance. Moreover, he/she will provide analysis and report on the adequacy and effectiveness of risk management and internal controls.
Duration
This stretch assignment will be for a period of Three (03) months.
Summary of key functions/accountabilities:
1. Risk management support
• Support the office management team in the annual risk assessment process and monitor reliability of reports and their compliance with applicable rules and regulations;
• Ensure the monitoring of risk mitigation action plans including a mid-term review;
• Lead the office peer reviews process, undertake visits to project sites and field offices to verify the quality of performance;
• Ensure the risk management approach is embedded in any project/proposal, in office governance committees’ review of submissions and in any major decision made by the management.
2. Compliance support
• Review the office systems, procedures and processes for compliance with organizational rules and regulations;
• Enforce and strengthen internal controls to ensure that systems are in place to prevent, detect and report non-compliance. Support the process for the preparation of the annual Statement of Internal Control (SIC) by the office;
• Review internal work processes in Programme and Operations to ensure that accountabilities are clear and placed at the adequate levels as per global policies and/or best practices;
• Establish a risk-based system to periodically and systematically review a sample of activities (Programme and Operations) to ensure they are carried out according to established work processes and in compliance with UNICEF policies and Procedures;
• Ensure smooth preparedness of internal and external audit, conduct a quality assurance and follow-up on the implementation of the recommendations and provides feedback to the management;
• Periodically test compliance with the Table of authority and adherence to the delegation of authorities in line with UNICEF policies and Procedures; and ensure staff understand the roles and responsibilities delegated to them;
• Review the conformity of statutory and non-statutory committees, assess committee members have been trained/oriented on their roles and responsibility.
3. Fraud risk Management support
• Support the management of the office in collecting evidence to respond to OIAI’s queries when initially assessing allegations of fraud and misconduct or during actual investigations;
• Advise the management on lessons learned from investigations and measures to be taken accordingly;
• Ensure the implementation of the global anti-fraud strategy, suggest internal fraud prevention mechanisms and alert the management on any fraudulent issues as well as unethical behaviors detected;
• Lead the process of Fraud risk training / orientation to Partners and suppliers.
4. Oversight and advisory to the Management
• Help advise the management on actions to be taken to enforce and strengthen accountabilities for a robust, responsive and transparent governance framework;
• Contribute to effective management process by participating in key governance meetings (particularly CMT, PMT and OMT);
• Coordinate Risk assessment and control activities with other UN agencies by representing the office in meetings related to Risks and Compliance activities.
5. Create awareness/capacity building
• Establish a system to document and report weaknesses in internal control and implement actions aimed at addressing internal controls gaps (SOP, memos…) and building the capacity of responsible staff;
• Analyze cause and effect of policy changes to the operations of the office, anticipate changes and advise on the new way of doing business;
• Support the implementation of a continuous learning and development plan for the Risk and Compliance function;
• Ensure that management provides staff with access to relevant training and that staff and other personnel understand key UNICEF policies including PSEA, Fraud and Ethics.
6. Any support needed from the regional office
• On request, support the Regional Office in conducting reviews exercises in countries where Risk and Compliance positions are not established, or in supporting any other review in the area of expertise (Peer reviews, assessment…);
• Contribute to the development of a network/community of risk and compliance specialists at both regional and global level for experience sharing, updated working documents as well as office rules and policies.
Minimum Qualifications and Competencies
Education: An advanced university degree in Business Administration, Financial Management or another relevant area is required.
Additional Certification in Operations Management, Strategic Management, Risk Management, Audit, Investigation, Internal Control, Statistics and Data Analysis or Accounting certifications are considered as assets.
*A first University Degree in a relevant field combined with 2 additional years of professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an Advanced University Degree.
Experience: At least 5 (five) years of continuous professional work experience in Risk and Compliance or another directly relevant area, several of which in internal audit is required. Experience in financial management, particularly developing and implementing financial control systems, ERM, audits, internal control preferably with international organizations, NGOs and UN is an asset.
Field experience /familiarity with Emergency is an asset.
Language: Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language or local language of the duty station is considered may be required.
UNICEF values and competencies required:
- Nurtures, Leads and Manages People (1)
- Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (2)
- Works Collaboratively with others (2)
- Builds and Maintains Partnerships (2)
- Innovates and Embraces Change (2)
- Thinks and Acts Strategically (2)
- Drive to achieve impactful results (2)
Eligibility
• The staff member must have an existing Fixed-Term, Continuing or Permanent appointment with UNICEF that is valid through the end of the stretch assignment.
• The staff member must have the agreement from their supervisor to go on a stretch assignment for the full duration of the assignment
Funding arrangement
The Office will cover the ticket for economy class travel and 100% of the UN DSA rate during the first 30 days, and 50% DSA for the remaining time.
How to apply:
Interested UNICEF staff should discuss this opportunity with their supervisor and seek the approval of their management before applying.
Application package:
1. Updated Profile/CV
2. Two most recent PERs
3. Supervisor & Management approval
Candidates considered potentially well-matched for the stretch assignment will be contacted for an informal interview. Supervisors may also be contacted for references.
