Risk and Compliance Specialist, Kabul, Afghanistan, P-3

Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. UNFPA is committed to achieving gender balance and fostering an inclusive and diverse workforce.

The Position: 

The Risk and Compliance Specialist post is located in the UNFPA Afghanistan Country Office. The incumbent works under the direct supervision of the International Operations Manager with a dotted reporting line to the Deputy Representative, and in collaboration with the Humanitarian Coordinator and the Resource Mobilization and Partnership Specialist. The Compliance Specialist post is part of the Programme compliance, Risk management and Quality Assurance Team (PCRMQA) which ensures effective, accountable and transparent utilization of financial resources for the proper implementation of agreed activities under the UNFPA Afghanistan CP. The Position provides guidance, technical support, and oversight ensuring that resources are utilised appropriately and in compliance with relevant policies and requirements. The role is not involved in implementation and the running of operations. 

As part of the PCRMQA team, the Risk and Compliance Specialist works closely with and supports UNFPA programme officers and the operations team, to ensure risks, including fraud risks are managed appropriately and programmes are implemented effectively. The team assesses risks and recommends to the Country Office leadership, assigns or implements, oversees and follows up on mitigating measures to strengthen CO internal controls in a high risk environment. The Compliance Specialist reports directly to the International Operations Manager, with second supervisory linkage with Deputy Representative (Head of Programme) and works closely with programme units, including the area offices.

How you can make a difference: 

UNFPA is the lead United Nations agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is intended, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. The UNFPA Strategic Plan for 2026-2029 articulates the organization’s response to a complex global environment, providing a roadmap for resilience and renewal. It is designed to accelerate the implementation of the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. This mandate is pursued through a focus on four interconnected outcomes: ending the unmet need for family planning; ending preventable maternal deaths; ending gender-based violence and harmful practices; and adapting to demographic change through evidence and rights-based policies. 

In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, we need principled and ethical staff, who embody these international norms and standards and who will defend them courageously and with full conviction.

UNFPA is seeking candidates who transform, inspire, and deliver high-impact and sustained results and ensure effective external relations, communications, and partnership-building and resource mobilization in a rapidly changing development and funding landscape. We need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them, and who commit to delivering excellence in programme results.

Job Purpose:

In a complex operating environment, you will play a vital role in strengthening risk management, including fraud risk management and ensuring operational and programme compliance in support of the UNFPA programme in Afghanistan.

You will be responsible for: 

Operational effectiveness, programme compliance, risk management, and quality assurance (PCRMQA)

• Contribute to the delivery of the country programme by ensuring overall compliance is carried out effectively, in a transparent manner and in compliance with established policies, procedures and rules.
• Provide inputs to determination of optimal approaches for improving effectiveness and efficiency of business management under the system-wide scale-up emergency activation, fostering innovation and processes simplification without giving up the broader policy compliances.
• Provide Country Office senior management with regular analytical assessment of the Country Office performance in relation to programme finance and expenditures and identify any potential areas of risk. 
• Support quality assurance reviews of compliance processes, including follow-up on audit recommendations, management responses and internal oversight findings.
• Support the International Operations Manager in ERM related activities for the country office. Assess risks using the Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) policies and tools as well as the effectiveness of internal controls and recommend appropriate measures to mitigate risks and improve internal controls in the CO in accordance with UNFPA policies and procedures and given the high risk operating context.
• Assist the International Operations Manager in developing oversight mechanisms for the operations of CO to ensure transparency and accountability.
• In coordination with the International Operations Manager, review and ensure appropriate segregation of duties, including in system access roles in accordance with the Internal Control Framework document and relevant Standard Operations Procedures (SOPs).Identify internal control weaknesses, gaps, inefficiencies and overlaps. Take measures to mitigate them or, if needed, propose measures to the management team and request the necessary resources.
• Alert CO management and project staff and personnel on deviations from established rules and regulations and propose remedial measures or solutions to meet office and programme objectives. 
• Provide guidance to the UNFPA Country Office on necessary requirements to ensure compliance with UN Security Council sanctions. 
• Establish a tracking system to ensure that all payments by UNFPA and Implementing Partners comply with requirements of the UN Security Council sanctions. 
• Oversee the arrangements for payments to IPs and programme beneficiaries ensuring the integrity of financial systems and consistent application of rules and regulations, assessing risks and adjusting the response plan under the fluid operating environment. 
• Regularly review risk assessments related to financial transactions and programme implementation, updating mitigation measures in line with PCRMQA requirements. 

Implementing Partner (IP) Oversight and Quality Assurance 

• Conduct extended and periodic due diligence (including anti-money-laundering procedures) for vetting of IPs. Obtain information from national data sources, UNPP, UNCT Risk Management or HACT group/ Unit, performance history at UNFPA, current project proposals and public/ media sources and triangulate them using UNFPA tools. 
• Verify accuracy of information in the project proposals, including the necessary operational footprint, valid leadership and key staffing, etc.
• Assess the overall risk of engaging the partner and put in place necessary mitigation measures pre- and post engagement. If needed, escalate to the management team for risk acceptance. Ensure that mitigation measures are assigned, resourced and undertaken.
• Ensure accuracy and validity of signatories and bank accounts in the IP agreement.
• Ensure all successfully vetted IPs have valid capacity assessments, as needed. Commission capacity assessment (always jointly with other agencies if IPs are shared) or obtain existing assessments from other agencies (through the UNPP or directly).
• Ensure enhanced queries are applied as needed to enhance due diligence.
• Ensure special attention to high risk management areas, such as sub-contracting, procurement, cash management.
• Carefully review capacity assessment findings and recommendations, especially for high risk processes and take measures to implement recommendations, address gaps and weaknesses and mitigate remaining risks with the necessary resources. Triangulate with IP project proposals and due diligence results. 
• Adjust the capacity risk rating in UNFPA’s management system as needed.
• Oversee effective implementation of the Harmonized Approach to Cash Transfers (HACT), especially the implementation of assurance activities in accordance with the Assurance Plan.
• Upgrade and contextualize existing assurance activities and safeguarding systems to meet specific context needs through activities such as third party monitoring, verification visits, post distribution monitoring etc.
• Lead the process of developing the annual IP Assurance Plan in accordance with the UNFPA IP risk model, the IP Assurance Guide of the UNFPA. 
• Ensure that IPs are aware of UNFPA requirements and restrictions on use of funds, including through development of guidance and conducting training.
• Quality assure IP work plan budgets, requests for sub-contracting, procurement activities by IPs that may require additional approvals at RO and HQ level, and financial reporting to ensure that no funds are channeled to organizations on the UN sanctions list. 
• Lead the process of quarterly financial monitoring, in close coordination with relevant Programme Units and Area Offices and ensure the completion of programme activities as reported by IPs are validated.  
• Coordinate spot checks and compliance reviews of IPs to ensure that financial, procurement and HR processes are in line with IPs established procedures and the requirements of HACT. 
• Working with the Programme Units and Area Offices, assess the compliance capacity (finance, procurement and human resources) of Implementing Partners and where necessary, develop and implement a plan for building capacity.  
• Contribute to programme quality assurance by reviewing documentation and ensuring that financial and operational compliance supports effective and accountable programme delivery.
• Take lead in reviewing all audit reports carefully and engage with programme staff, IPs and auditors to agree on findings and follow up actions, including remedial actions such as refunds.
• Systematically review all findings from assessments, monitoring, verification, spot checks and audits and recommend, assign or implement the appropriate follow up and mitigation measures and adjust risk assessments accordingly. Report on progress to the SMT.
• Recommend and when appropriate carry out capacity development activities and advise on systems improvements for Implementing Partners.

Partnerships and Inter-Agency Coordination

• Represent UNFPA in inter-agency working groups and clusters, as required. Prepare materials for briefing donors on UNFPA’s compliance with UN Security Council sanctions, as required.

Qualifications and Experience 

Education:  

Advanced university degree in business administration, accounting, finance, law or a related field. 

Knowledge and Experience: 

• At least 5 years of increasingly responsible professional experience in risk management, audit, investigation ideally in public organisations is required.
• Knowledge of international risk management standards such as ISO 31000, COSO, and Enterprise Risk Management is required.
• Experience working in highly volatile environments is required.
• Initiative; strong conceptual abilities; sound judgment; strong interest in development work, especially the mission of UNFPA; and dedication to the principles of the United Nations are required. 
• Proficiency in current office software applications and UN Corporate ERP systems is required.
• Previous experience and knowledge in law enforcement, investigation/intelligence, audit, and fraud examination are advantageous. 
• Previous experience in the UN and knowledge of UN internal control, risk management and implementing partner procedures is advantageous.

Languages:

Fluency in English is required. Working knowledge of other UN languages is desirable.

Required Competencies

Values: 

• Exemplifying integrity
• Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system
• Embracing cultural diversity
• Embracing change

Functional Competencies: 

• Managing the organization’s financial resources
• Providing procurement services
• Ensuring facilities and assets management
• Applying risk management and internal control frameworks
• Managing implementing partner relationships and oversight

Core Competencies: 

• Achieving results
• Being accountable 
• Developing and applying professional expertise/business acumen
• Thinking analytically and strategically
• Working in teams/managing ourselves and our relationships
• Communicating for impact

Compensation and Benefits:

This position offers an attractive remuneration package including a competitive net salary plus health insurance and other benefits as applicable.

UNFPA Work Environment:

UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, diversity, integrity and healthy work-life balance. We are committed to ensuring gender parity in the organization and therefore encourage women to apply. Individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community, minority ethnic groups, indigenous populations, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups are highly encouraged to apply. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. UNFPA promotes equal opportunities in terms of appointment, training, compensation and selection for all regardless of personal characteristics and dimensions of diversity. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is at the heart of UNFPA's workforce - click here to learn more.

Disclaimer:

Selection and appointment may be subject to background and reference checks, medical clearance, visa issuance and other administrative requirements. 

UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process and does not concern itself with information on applicants' bank accounts. 

Applicants for positions in the international Professional and higher categories, who hold permanent resident status in a country other than their country of nationality, may be required to renounce such status upon their appointment.