Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The incumbent will be part of a network of Risk Management Network and will collaborate with the Chief Risk Officer and this network to ensure strengthening of risk culture across UNHCR. Special attention is paid to coherence, identification of systemic issues requiring a corporate-wide response, and sharing of good risk management practices and lessons learnt. The incumbent shall engage with internal stakeholders, including with the Bureau and HQ, as appropriate, to align reforms and initiatives. As directed by their supervisor, the incumbent shall also engage with external stakeholders including Government offices, partners, donors, and (for in-situ posts) contractors and refugee/host communities, to maximize collective efforts to manage risk, and strengthen compliance and the quality of services provided to persons of concern. For in-situ positions, the incumbent will be in the first line of defence, supporting the Operation in compliance and risk management. S/he shall review the adequacy of risk management and compliance systems, structures, procedures and capacities within the Operation, make recommendations as appropriate, and assist management in their implementation. For regional positions the incumbent will support the Senior Risk Management and Compliance Advisor in coordinating operations within their region in matters related to risk, compliance and oversight, as part of the second line of defence. S/he will assess the adequacy of risk management within the Operations and provide advice, guidance and practical support. The incumbent may manage relevant personnel/functions relating to risk management. S/he reports directly to the Deputy/Assistant Representative in the Field or to the Senior Risk Management and Compliance Advisor in a Bureau, with a functional reporting line to ERM Unit with the exception of roving officers who will report to the Chief Risk Officer.
All UNHCR staff members are accountable to perform their duties as reflected in their job description. They do so within their delegated authorities, in line with the regulatory framework of UNHCR which includes the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, UNHCR Policies and Administrative Instructions as well as relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, staff members are required to discharge their responsibilities in a manner consistent with the core, functional, cross-functional and managerial competencies and UNHCR¿s core values of professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity.
Duties
– Advise and support the Operation/Bureau on risk management, compliance, and oversight matters, assisting them in discharging their responsibilities and accountabilities to manage risks comply with policies and procedures.
– Ensure risk management, ethical and integrity considerations are integrated into decision making, planning, monitoring, evaluation, reporting and contingency activities in the Operation(s)/Bureau under the Area of Responsibility (AoR).
– Promote collaboration of different functions within the operation/Bureau/divisions to address cross cutting risks and issues.
– Support the Operation/Bureau in the implementation of oversight recommendations to improve risk management, compliance and quality of outputs.
– Work with internal and external oversight entities, develop and implement procedures to collect relevant data and efficiently track and report specific issues, trends and cross-cutting matters representing a high risk to the Operation(s) under AoR.
– Prepare or review and input to management reports to external stakeholders.
– With assistance from and in coordination with the ERM Service, Global Learning and Development Centre, and other Headquarter Services, as required, train UNHCR teams and partners to raise awareness of and skills in risk management, and to strengthen the culture of integrity and accountability.
– Promote and disseminate policies, good-practices and guidance on risk management in the operation/region. Provide field based support and guidance jointly with Headquarters for corporate risk management developments and initiatives.
– Provide regular updates to the Deputy/Assistant Representative or Senior Risk Management and Compliance Advisor on matters related to risk, compliance and quality, including on emerging risks and opportunities.
– Perform other related duties as required. In-situ posts only – Coordinate and facilitate the risk review exercises with functional experts and management to agree on the corporate risk register, and appropriate risk responses; facilitate, monitor and report on the implementation of agreed responses.
– Analyse risk management, compliance, and oversight findings and recommendations. In coordination with the Bureau and HQ, identify lessons learnt and root cause(s) of recurring systemic issues in the Operation. Prepare summary reports, with recommendations, on significant matters requiring management action or intervention, or changes to corporate level policies/procedures.
– Monitor compliance against policies and procedures, advise management of areas of non-compliance and identify the root cause of this and appropriate corrective actions.
– In consultation with the Chief Risk Officer, assess the methodology, tools and practices related to the implementation of risk management activities in the Operation to strengthen integrity identify root causes of risks, and propose mitigating measures with a focus on prevention.
Bureau posts only
– Support the Senior Risk Management and Compliance Advisor in coordinating and quality assuring the risk review exercise in the operations under the AoR, monitoring that appropriate action is taken to mitigate the identified risks.
– Contribute to the implementation of the cross-functional risk-based regional oversight monitoring plans of operations under AoR through missions and desk reviews.
– Analyse risk management, compliance, and oversight findings and recommendations. Produce a regional risk report on a regular basis, summarizing key oversight themes and using risk information (e.g. metrics, risk indicators, incidents) to highlight the highest risks at the regional level, identify lessons learnt and root causes. Recommend improvements and enhancements on significant matters requiring management action or intervention, or changes to corporate level policies / procedures.
– Conduct risk-based monitoring and support missions to countries under their AoR to assess the adequacy of risk management and compliance systems, structures, procedures and capacities – report back to the Senior Risk Management and Compliance Advisor in order to help improve enterprise wide risk management methodologies, tools and practices.
Minimum Qualifications
Years of Experience / Degree Level For P4/NOD – 9 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 8 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 7 years relevant experience with Doctorate degree Field(s) of Education Business Administration; International Affairs; Political Science; Risk Management; or other relevant field. (Field(s) of Education marked with an asterisk* are essential) Certificates and/or Licenses Prince2-Project Management HCR Risk Management Basics & ERM Programme (Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential) Relevant Job Experience Essential At least 6 years of experience in positions involving, amongst other things, responsibilities relating to risk management, compliance and quality of results. Knowledge of and working experience with Enterprise Risk Management frameworks. Experience in quality assurance and compliance monitoring. Excellent judgement with proven ability to deal with complex interrelated issues and strong analytical and problem solving skills to develop solutions that address root causes. Excellent communicator with strong interpersonal and writing skills. Strong skills in collaboration, team building, capacity development and with ability to deliver quality results on time. Exposure to and experience in UN or humanitarian field operations and emergencies in various geographical locations and multiple functional areas. Demonstrated high level of integrity, objectivity, impartiality and fairness. Desirable Good working knowledge of UNHCR¿s mandate, field operations, organizational structure, and policies & procedures. Certification in risk management.
Functional Skills
RM-Risk Management
TR-Training – Virtual and face to face
DM-Data Collection and Analysis
PG-Results-Based Management
PM-Project Assurance (Functional Skills marked with an asterisk* are essential)
Language Requirements
For International Professional and Field Service jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English. For National Professional jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English and local language. For General Service jobs: Knowledge of English and/or UN working language of the duty station if not English.
All UNHCR workforce members must individually and collectively, contribute towards a working environment where each person feels safe, and empowered to perform their duties. This includes by demonstrating no tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment including sexual harassment, sexism, gender inequality, discrimination and abuse of power. As individuals and as managers, all must be proactive in preventing and responding to inappropriate conduct, support ongoing dialogue on these matters and speaking up and seeking guidance and support from relevant UNHCR resources when these issues arise. This is a Standard Job Description for all UNHCR jobs with this job title and grade level. The Operational Context may contain additional essential and/or desirable qualifications relating to the specific operation and/or position. Any such requirements are incorporated by reference in this Job Description and will be considered for the screening, shortlisting and selection of candidates.
Desired Candidate Profile
The incumbent should ideally have experience managing risk in similar complex and challenging operations such as in Afghanistan which is under a stringent United Nations sanctions regime and the Operation works within a humanitarian carve-out framework, specifically UN Security Council Resolution 2615 (S/RES/2615(2021). Experience gained in other comparable high-risk operations working on enterprise risk management, compliance and oversight duties will also be an advantage.
Familiarity with UN due diligence, oversight and compliance work is highly desirable.
Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level):
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Desired languages
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Operational context
Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:
To view occupational safety and health considerations for this duty station, please visit this link:
Nature of Position:
Under the direct supervision of the Representative, the Senior Risk Management and Compliance Officer, P4 will assist the senior management team in formulating the operation’s communications strategy on risk management, compliance, quality assurance, and oversight related matters. Ensure timely and well-coordinated reporting compliance on the UN Security Council sanctions and other relevant state government requirements. Monitors the operation’s due diligence undertakings pertaining to donor countries’ requirements and keep abreast the Senior Management on gaps and queries posed on UNHCR by entities on due diligence.
The risk profile of the Afghanistan Operation can be broadly characterized by 60 percent inherent reputational risks arising from non-compliance to the sanctions applied by the UN Security Council and individual member states and 40 percent related to financial management including fraud, corruption, money laundering, non-compliance by partner agencies and other service providers. While the latter set of risks are satisfactorily addressed by the existing operational risk register with regular oversight by the thematic risk treatment owners, the former set of critical risks remain a major concern.
Against this backdrop, the Senior Risk Management and Compliance Officer will ensure that risk management and compliance considerations are integrated into decision making, planning, monitoring, evaluation, reporting and contingency activities across the Afghanistan operation, including in the field and promote a collaborative mechanism between different functions and offices under which cross cutting issues and risks will be identified and discussed.
The ideal candidate thus needs a strong background in risk management and compliance acquired from similar humanitarian response operations. Hands-on experience in the development and management of Risk management structures and tools with close government/de-facto authorities’ involvement. Knowledge of UNHCR Protection and Programming principles would be an added advantage, coupled with passion to apply an analytical risk lens.
Training and capacity building for UNHCR and Partners staff have been identified as a key risk mitigation factor in Afghanistan. The incumbent will therefore be required to undertake various training activities for both UNHCR staff and Partners including DfA officials. The candidate will therefore need to have excellent interpersonal skills suitable for this role.
Living and Working Conditions:
Afghanistan is a high-risk country with a very complex operational environment, characterized by uncertainty and frequent security incidents. Security situation is unstable, volatile, unpredictable with rise in 2020-2022. Movement by all personnel is restricted, coordinated and monitored by the security officers. UNHCR in Kabul is located within the ICON Compound on the Supreme road of the Police district 9. It occupies 40 MOSS compliant rooms for staff accommodation with each room having its own washroom and other facilities. Offices are within the ICON compound. No visits except in UN compounds and Embassies which is frustrating, stressful to cope. A daily radio check is mandatory. All movements are strictly by Armoured Vehicle or by air and limited road. A 4-week mandatory R&R cycle, staff apply without delay.
UNHCR and UN agencies jointly run JMS Level 1 medical clinic, satellite located in ICON and AFMAT in Baron. S/M on special prescription should travel with enough. Medical facilities in Kabul include German Clinic, French Medical Institute for Mothers & Children (FMIC), and Iqarus International (AMC). COVID-19 MTF was established in ICON. Outdoor air quality is a health concern in Kabul.
The degree of exposure and concentration of air pollutants can be detrimental to breathing problems, development of chronic diseases and deterioration of health status in individuals with chronic diseases. Air pollution contributes to comorbidities that are known to worsen outcomes among those infected with COVID-19. air pollution can impair lung development in infants and children; increase probability of preterm birth and delivery of newborns with low birth weight. office provides air purifiers both in the office and accommodation. Health problems contributing to years lost to illness, disability, or premature death in the country include diet, tobacco use, high fasting glucose and high blood pressure; as well as environmental risks such as pollution and water-borne disease. Road crash, conflict, terror are major causes of injuries. Considering the serious restrictions on staff movement, it is crucial to demonstrate a record of maintaining a positive attitude whenever confronted with adversity and restraints in social life. Staff interested in the position should be mentally, psychologically, and physically fit and ready to face situations when required to be locked down in compound bunkers for an extended period due to security incidents.
Additional Qualifications
Skills
Education
Certifications
HCR Risk Management Basics & ERM Program – UNHCR, Prince2_Project Management – AXELOS Ltd
Work Experience
Competencies
Accountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Empowering & building trust, Judgement & decision making, Organizational awareness, Planning & organizing, Teamwork & collaboration, Technological awareness
UNHCR Salary Calculator
https://icsc.un.org/Home/SalaryScales
Compendium
Add.2 to Bi-annual Compendium 2022 – Part B
Functional clearance
This position requires Functional Clearance
How to apply
For a full job description and to apply, interested candidates are requested to visit
The UNHCR workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages and opinions. UNHCR seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. Applications are encouraged from all qualified candidates without distinction on grounds of race, colour, sex, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation and gender identity.
Please note that UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process (application, interview, meeting, travelling, processing, training or any other fees).
Closing date of receipt of applications: 16 February 2023 (midnight Geneva time)