Senior Risk Management and Compliance Advisor (MENA)

Before submitting an application, UNHCR staff members intending to apply to this Job Opening are requested to consult the Recruitment and Assignments Policy (RAP, UNHCR/HCP/2017/2 and the Recruitment and Assignments Administrative Instruction (RAAI), UNHCR/AI/2017/7 OF 15 August 2017.

Senior Risk Management and Compliance Advisor (MENA)

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT
The Senior Regional Risk Management and Compliance Advisor (MENA) will be based in the Geneva, and will head Risk Management and Compliance Unit in the MENA Bureau. S/he will play a principal role in the regional coordination, monitoring and assessment of risk management and compliance for the MENA region. S/he will play a key advisory role to the Bureau Director and coordinate closely with Deputy Directors to design and oversee risk mitigation measures at the regional level, while providing and/or coordinating direct support to MENA Operations. S/he would work in close coordination with the Snr Risk and Compliance Officers to map emerging risks and, in coordination with the Bureau Director, guide risk-based decision making throughout the region, effectively setting the risk appetite for the region.

FUNCTIONAL STATEMENT
Accountability
- Systems, structures, procedures and capabilities relating to risk management and compliance are assessed, coordinated and monitored in the MENA region.
- Risk mitigation measures are designed and implemented at the regional level in the MENA region.
- UNHCR operational programmes, systems of financial, administrative and resource management have integrity at the country and regional level in the area of responsibility.

Responsibility
- Support the development of a risk management culture in the organization and promote this in MENA Operations. Specifically, support the Senior Risk Management and Compliance Advisors deployed in MENA Operations by contributing as needed to their initiatives and collecting lessons learned and ensuring they are documented and shared throughout the Region.
- Maintain an effective compliance program, including (a) supporting compliance focal points in the MENA Operations; (b) heightening awareness of standards of conduct, and (c) promoting understanding of new and existing compliance issues and related policies/procedures as an important tool for enhancing the quality of management and for ensuring accountability;
- Ensure compliance mission plan is mapped for the Region on a quarterly basis in close coordination with the RMCOs with input from Deputy Directors. This should identify high risk Operations as well as high risk cross-cutting themes to address (i.e. Procurement, Partnerships, PSEA/SHA, data management, etc.). 
- Ensure that oversight findings and root causes of non-compliance are documented, analysed, addressed where possible, and fed into the risk management process.
- Support the formulation of region/country risk management strategy, specifically, to identify and then propose actions for mitigating operational, management and financial risks, ensuring coherency in approach to the extent possible, while still tailoring responses to operational realities.
- In coordination with Desks, ensure that Risk Registers in the region accurately reflect their operational context. Undertake regular reviews and provide feedback in consultations with the Desks and ERM unit.
- Lead the annual Risk Review exercise for the Bureau and encourage Deputies and Heads of Unit to incorporate a risk-based approach to their work. Develop a mechanism to follow-up regularly on proposed risk treatments throughout the year.
- Ensure that a mutually agreed coordination and consultation mechanism is put into place between the Bureau and the ERM Unit.
- Ensure that in Operations in the MENA Regions senior management is taking active steps to encourage ethical decision making and values based behaviour, while sending clear messages regarding unacceptable behaviours. Ensure Operations carry out Code of Conduct refreshers, while also supporting Operations to ensure that these values are reflected in daily operations and the activity is not a one-off tick box exercise. Evaluate needs for additional training or capacity building around code of conduct themes to promote overall integrity.
- Review, provide input and clear compliance mission TORs ensuring that the reports are capturing key issues and regional trends. Incorporate contextual input from Desks as needed.
- Contribute to improving procedures that improve compliance, or effectively manage exceptions, particularly with policies and procedures related to high risk areas, and to improve corresponding management tools. Ensure that lessons learned and good practices are documented and disseminated within MENA region or broader.
- Identify potential areas of compliance vulnerability and risk; develops/implements corrective action plans for resolution of problematic issues, and provides general guidance on how to avoid or treat similar situations in the future.
- Ensure that when root causes of risks or failures are linked to policies at the organizational level that this information is captured and feedback provided into the Headquarters policy pipeline in a constructive manner.
- Extract lessons learned from oversight assignments (OIOS, IGO reports, etc), formulate conclusions/recommendations that have a wider regional relevance, and assist in disseminating them.
- Provide ad hoc or specific reports as requested to the Director at regional or country level, including analysis reports and status reports on follow-up/compliance.
- Respond to alleged violations of rules, regulations, policies, procedures, and standards of conduct by reviewing or proposing initiation of investigative procedures. Propose to the Director establishment of/changes in the procedures in handling such violations and ensure uniform application throughout operations in the region.

Authority
- In coordination with relevant bodies, initiate sanctions for non-compliance at the country-level to UN/UNHCR¿s policies, rules and procedures.
- Enforce country-level compliance with UNHCR¿s polices, rules and regulations.

ESSENTIAL MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
- Graduate degree (equivalent of a Master¿s) plus minimum 11 years of previous work experience relevant to the function. Undergraduate degree (equivalent of a BA/BS) plus 12 years or Doctorate degree (equivalent of a PhD) plus 10 years of previous relevant work experience may also be accepted.
- At least 6 years of experience in a senior managerial/leadership position involving, amongst other things, responsibilities relating to risk management, compliance and/or quality of results.
- Exposure to and experience in UN or humanitarian field operations and emergencies in various geographical locations.
- Strong analytical abilities and strategic vision.
- Strong leadership skills with significant managerial experience, excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
- Ability to work across multiple functional areas and have demonstrated ability to achieve the buy-in of varied stakeholders.
- Ability to plan and see through initiatives and address complex problems with multiple causalities.
- Impeccable integrity and commitment to UNHCR¿s values, setting the tone for a culture of accountability and strict adherence to the UNHCR Code of Conduct.
- Fluency in English, both orally and in writing, including excellent drafting skills in English.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS & COMPETENCIES
- In-depth knowledge of UNHCR policies and procedures. Experience in diverse functional areas highly valued.
- General specific learning/training in the fields of risk and programme management. 
- Knowledge of Arabic or French. C001L4 - Accountability Level 4
C002L4 - Teamwork & Collaboration Level 4
C003L4 - Communication Level 4
C004L4 - Commitment to Continuous Learning Level 4
C005L4 - Client & Result Orientation Level 4
C006L4 - Organizational Awareness Level 4
M001L4 - Empowering and Building Trust Level 4
M005L4 - Leadership Level 4
M004L4 - Strategic Planning and Vision Level 4
M003L4 - Judgement and Decision Making Level 4
X001L4 - Analytical Thinking Level 4
X006L4 - Policy Development & Research Level 4
X008L4 - Stakeholder Management Level 4 <p>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.</p>
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See below for this postion's Operational Context
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For those people applying for High Risk Duty Stations, we strongly encourage colleagues to read the country specific security and welfare profiles which can be found on the Intranet under Support Services - Duty of Care (https://intranet.unhcr.org/en/support-services/duty-of-care.html). These profiles have been specifically designed to answer some of the key questions (on security conditions, medical provisions, staff welfare, living and working conditions) potential applicants might have before deciding to apply. Ensuring staff are better informed is part of the increased attention UNHCR is paying to Duty of Care. This project is still in the pilot phase, and as such some of the information leaflets are being produced as we speak and might not be available yet. They will be soon, so keep checking. 

Coordination and cultural flexibility.
The Senior Risk Management and Compliance Advisor has multiple support roles including numerous internal and external stakeholders. S/he will work with a highly motivated team and must possess solid managerial and leadership competencies and adept at building relations and consensus among a wide range of actors.  Moreover, s/he must have proven cultural flexibility and tolerance. S/he must have a strong ability to promote the Bureau¿s strategic goals, the need for change, and advocate for the new approach as an improved way of meeting UNHCR¿s global objectives to a multitude of audiences. Possible indicators:  First-hand experience and comprehensive knowledge of UNHCR Financial, HR and Supply managemnet, Risk, Compliance, Oversight, programmes and emergency procedures; successful postings/missions in multiple geographically/culturally diverse duty stations.
Other skills.
Compliance, Oversight, Programme, HR management and resource utilization skills,  conversant with Budget Structure, Results Based Management, and thorough knowledge of IPSAS are essential requirements. Preference would be given to candidates who have attended IPSAS workshop and have passed the exam.  Sound knowledge of corporate software, including MSRP, Focus, Livelink, MS Office and drafting, editorial and communication skills are relevant. Completion of Management Learning Programme and other UNHCR core learning Programmes is desirable. The MENA Bureau covers 19 field operations, 12 in the Middle East and 7 in North Africa. As of March 2018, the Bureau has an OP over USD 2.9 billion including the Syria situation.

The Senior Risk Management and Compliance Advisor (MENA) will be based in the Geneva, and will head Risk Management and Compliance Unit in the MENA Bureau. S/he would support the corporate initiative to strengthen the risk management culture, advising management on measures and strategies to strengthen internal controls, and ensure that risk management plays an integral part in the planning process. Given the complex operating environment and security situation in the Region, the incumbent should have experience in managing large, complex operations. Familiarity with partnership agreements, supply and procurement procedures is particularly valuable. S/he will play a key advisory role to the Bureau Director and coordinate closely with Deputy Directors and Representatives to design and oversee risk mitigation measures at the regional level, while providing and/or coordinating direct support to MENA Operations. S/he would work in close coordination with the Snr Regional Risk and Compliance Officers in the Region to map emerging risks and, in coordination with the Bureau Director, guide risk-based decision making throughout the region, effectively setting the risk appetite for the region.

Please note that the closing date for all vacancies in the Add.4 to March 2018 Compendium is Wednesday 5 Septembe 2018 (midnight Geneva time).