Senior Risk Management and Compliance Advisor

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

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT
UNHCR has been taking calculated risks in its daily work since its establishment.  However, the organization has adopted a formal risk management system only in 2014.   The progress made by the organization in institutionalizing risk management, albeit in a light form, has been acknowledged both internally and externally. At the same time there is a growing realization that the organization needs to further strengthen risk management, responding to the evolution of its operating environment, which is becoming increasingly complex and prone to more risks, both internal and external.

UNHCR¿s Risk Management 2.0 initiative will increase investment in and attention to risk management and oversight to better identify, mitigate and respond to important risks in field operations.  Key operational risks that affect delivery and impact will be reviewed with particular attention being paid to risks of fraud, corruption, terrorism, money laundering and sexual exploitation and abuse of refugees as well as harassment among team members.

The aim is to achieve a more risk-informed management of Operations by reinforcing the continuum between risk identification, root-cause analysis, implementation of risk mitigation measures and response to risks.  

The incumbent is engaged for a specific period of time to support operational managers in effective risk management and compliance thereby improving risk culture and integrity in the organization. 

The incumbent shall review the adequacy of risk management and compliance systems, structures, procedures and capacities across the Operation.  The incumbent will make recommendations as appropriate for their strengthening and assist operations management in their implementation.

The incumbent shall actively engage with internal stakeholders, including with the Bureau and Headquarters¿ Divisions, as appropriate, to ensure alignment in reforms at the country-office level with relevant efforts/reforms at the Headquarters and Regional levels.

The incumbent will be part of a network Risk Management 2.0 practitioners and will work in close collaboration with the Chief Risk Officer and the Geneva-based Enterprise Risk management (ERM) capacity to ensure coherence of approach, identify and address systemic root causes requiring a corporate-level response, the sharing of best-practice.

Keeping the Representative informed, the incumbent shall also actively engage directly with external stakeholders including relevant Government offices, implementing and operational partners, donors, contractors and refugee/host communities for the purposes of maximizing collective efforts to manage risk, strengthen compliance and maximize the quality of services provided for the benefit of refugees and other persons of concern.

The incumbent may manage relevant personnel/functions relating to compliance, quality and risk management. 

Due to the temporary nature of the engagement, the incumbent shall ensure that efficiency of operations management is improved through: close collaboration with the operations management team; clarity of roles; improved skills in risk management; and full integration of risk management, compliance and quality assurance actions into core operational activities.

The incumbent reports directly to the Representative, with a functional reporting line to ERM Unit.

FUNCTIONAL STATEMENT
Accountability
- Systems, structures, procedures and capabilities relating to risk management, compliance and quality assurance are assessed across the entire operation and recommendations are made on how to strengthen same at country, regional and/or Headquarters/global levels.
- Agreed/endorsed recommendations referred to above are implemented in accordance with agreed milestones and budgets. 
- Coordination mechanisms are established and effective between UNHCR, other UN organizations, implementing partners, operational partners, and relevant Government authorities so as to maximize collective efforts to manage risks, ensure compliance and maximize quality.  
- Donors and other stakeholders in the Operation are kept abreast of efforts, achievements and obstacles in the management of risk, in ensuring compliance and in ensuring quality of results. 
- Approved actions resulting from recommendations of audits, studies, reviews, management implication reports etc. are implemented within agreed timeframes. 

Responsibility
- Provide advice and support to the Representative on risk management, compliance, and oversight matters;
- Ensure that risk management considerations are integrated into decision making, planning, monitoring, evaluation, reporting  and contingency activities in the Operation;
- Promote collaboration of different functions within the office structure to address cross cutting issues;
- Conduct research and in-depth analysis of risk management, compliance, and oversight findings and recommendations. In coordination with other expertise in the region and at HQs, identify lessons learnt and root cause(s) of recurring systemic issues in the Operation that present high risks to the Organization.  Prepare summary reports, with recommendations, on significant matters requiring management action or intervention;
- Support the Representative in the implementation of oversight recommendations to improve risk management, compliance and quality of outputs;
- In close 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 and unearth root causes of risks, and propose mitigating measures with a focus on prevention;
- Represent the Operation locally in relevant internal and external task forces/meetings on risk management and oversight matters;
- In collaboration with other units at Headquarters, the IGO and LAS, prepare, review and provide input to oversight information that may need to be shared outside the Organisation.
- Work closely with internal and external oversight entities, develop and implement a system and procedures to collect relevant data and efficiently track and report specific issues, trends and cross-cutting matters representing a high risk to the Operation;
- Prepare or review and provide input to management reports to external stakeholders (including country reports and presentations to locally based UN organisations, donor countries, interagency meetings and UNHCR partners on risk management and oversight).
- Assist the Representative in formulating the Operation¿s communication strategy on risk management, compliance, quality and oversight related matters.
- With assistance from and in close coordination with the ERM, Global Learning Centre, and other Headquarter Services, as required, develop and disseminate training and communication material on risk management and compliance responsibilities in the Operation to ensure knowledge and skills gained are sustainable.
- Promote best practise in risk management, compliance, quality, and oversight within and outside the Operation.
- Provide regular updates to the Representative, the Bureaux Director, Chief Risk Officer and Inspector General.

Authority
- Have access to all persons, records, reports, and assets under the ownership or control of the UNHCR Operation required to perform his/her work.
- Make decisions on the content of reports and presentations to the Representative and HQs on lessons learnt and root causes to address systemic and recurring high risks or emerging trends in the Operation.
- Make decisions on the implementation of the tools and procedures to manage risk and management data in the Operation.
- Represent the Representative in relevant internal and external task forces/meetings within areas of the responsibility.
- Represent the Operation as required in UN meetings dealing with risk management and oversight matters.
- Decide on administrative approaches and procedures pertinent to areas of the responsibility.

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.
- 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 skills.
- Strong management 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.
- Demonstrated high level of integrity, objectivity, impartiality and fairness.
-       Excellent drafting skills and capacity to communicate complex matters to a wide non-expert audience as well as to experts involved in the area of responsibility.
- Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS & COMPETENCIES
- Good working knowledge of UNHCR¿s mandate, field operations, organizational structure, and policies.
- Good working knowledge of another UN language.
- Working experience in an oversight function within the UN.
- Knowledge of and working experience with Enterprise Risk Management frameworks.
-       Knowledge of additional UN languages.

This is a Standard Job Description for all UNHCR Senior Risk Management and Compliance Advisor positions. 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. 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
M002L4 - Managing Performance Level 4
M006L4 - Managing Resources Level 4
M005L4 - Leadership Level 4
M003L4 - Judgement and Decision Making Level 4
M004L4 - Strategic Planning and Vision Level 4
X005L4 - Planning and Organizing Level 4
X001L4 - Analytical Thinking 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 them – before deciding to apply- to read the country specific security and welfare country 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). Ensuring staff are better informed is part of the increased attention UNHCR is paying to Duty of Care.

Staff after having applied to High Risk Duty Stations will have access to country specific information webinars with Field Safety Section (FSS) and Staff Welfare Section (SWS) colleagues and provided with a tool to test their psychological preparedness for serving in High Risk Duty Stations. Applicants who applied for a position in a High Risk country will receive, after the deadline for applications has expired, a joint invitation from the Staff Welfare Section (SWS) and the Field Safety Section (FSS) to participate in these webinars. During the Webinars, latest updates on security and well-being will be provided, and FSS and SWS will address questions raised by participants. Applicants are highly encouraged to benefit, when applicable, from all measures as they provide most up-to-date security and well-being information helpful to assess staff’s readiness to serve in a High Risk Duty Station. A Staff Welfare Officer will also be available, if and when required, to discuss with interested applicants the results of the psychological preparedness tool as well as readiness for assignment in High Risk Duty Stations.

The applicant for this position must have a sound understanding of enterprise risk management with demonstrated experience with implementation of a risk management framework (ERM FP in the field/HQs, exposure to risk management practices, etc.)
Having field experience in complex humanitarian or development operations with direct programming, budgeting, and operations management responsibilities (e.g. Senior Operations Manager, Senior Program Officer, Senior Admin/Finance Officer roles) or internationally recognized certificate in risk management is a requisite for this position. Work experience in different geographical locations, high-risk environments and diverse functional roles are essential for the post.  Candidates who have continuously served in the same functional category (i.e. only finance, security, IT, admin, etc.) will not be considered as the most suitable applicants.
In addition, experience in managing partnerships, government stakeholders, and external stakeholders is required to successfully perform as a risk advisor in the field.  Knowledge of internal controls and demonstrated experience in dealing with audit and compliance matters are required. For the external applicants, experience in organizations with multi-country presence and wide operational coverage, preferably in the public sector, NGOs or United Nations is essential, with similar responsibilities as elaborated above. Demonstrated understanding of the humanitarian field is required.
Excellent drafting, communications and presentation skills are needed, as well as involvement in the development of control/risk management frameworks. There are close to one million Syrian refugees registered with UNHCR in Lebanon. With no approved camps, refugees are living in more than 1,700 locations across the country. The refugee response is led by the Government and local actors, supported by the international community. As the designated lead agency in the refugee response, UNHCR has established a sector-based structure in Beirut and in the field. The structure brings together over 100 UN agencies, national and international NGO partners in identifying and agreeing on the strategic priorities to address the needs of Syrian refugees and other affected populations.
The UNHCR operational response in Lebanon is one of the largest for the organization, with a total budget of USD 463 million for 2018. Media and donor attention and the frequency of influential high-profile visitors are high. The Office currently has some 610 staff located in Beirut, Zahle, Tripoli, Tyre, and Qobayat.

UNHCR has adopted a formal risk management system in 2014. The progress made by the organization in institutionalizing risk management has been acknowledged both internally and externally. At the same time an organization-wide 'Risk Management 2.0' initiative was launched to further strengthen risk management, in increasingly complex operating environments.
In this process, key operational risks that affect delivery and impact will be reviewed with particular attention being paid to risks of fraud, corruption, terrorism, money laundering and sexual exploitation and abuse of refugees as well as harassment among team members.
This position is embedded in the operation for a specific period of time (one to two years) reporting to the Representative, helping operations management teams and leaving a strengthened capacity in place when phased out.

We would like to draw your attention to the fact that with the progress of the initiative the duration and location of some positions may be revisited. Beirut is a classified as "B" family duty station with average education, health (private) and recreational facilities. There was an improvement to the general security environment in Lebanon over the last year. The threat from Armed Conflict has dropped from High to Low and while the overall threat from terrorism remains High, authorities have instigated joint preventative counter terrorism measures focused on tackling terrorism and organised crime networks in Lebanon. In 2017 there were no terrorist attacks and 560 terrorism related arrests.
Parliamentary elections, currently scheduled for May 2018, may give rise to an increase in civil unrest between supporters of political parties.
Crime remains at its lowest level since 2011 although there is still a risk from petty or violent crime.Celebratory gunfire used to be fairly common although authorities are now tackling incidents following a number of casualties from falling bullets.
The Southern Suburbs of Beirut represent an area of elevated threat as it is home to Hezbollah¿s Security Zone and several key Hezbollah institutions. While the position is based in Beirut, Lebanon, the incumbent is also expected to support the Jordan operation as Snr Risk Management and Compliance Adviser.  Frequent and regular missions to Jordan will be required.

Please note that the closing date for all vacancies in the September 2018 Compendium is Thursday 18 October  2018 (midnight Geneva time).