Head of Unit (Oversight Operations)

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.

Head of Unit (Oversight Operations)

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT
The Head of Unit (Oversight Operations) reports to the Head of Strategic Oversight Service and assists him/her in coordinating the activities of the Service. S/he is able to operate under minimal supervision and, when required, to back-up the Head of Service.

Strategic Oversight Service is responsible for mapping oversight activities, conducting analysis of oversight findings to identify root causes or recurring systemic issues and providing recommendations for management¿s action. The Service will also conduct inquiries, manage the IGO¿s communication strategy, host the Secretariat of the Internal Audit and Oversight Committee (IAOC), act as the focal point in UNHCR for the Joint Inspection Unit of the United Nations System (JIU), and provide administrative support to the UNHCR Audit Service in accordance with the MOU with OIOS.

The incumbent supervises a P-3, Oversight Officer and is responsible for managing a unit within the Service that provides support to the JIU, and delivers Secretariat services to the IAOC in autonomy. S/he ensures that the IGO¿s reports to management and the governing bodies are produced and finalised according to standards and timelines and that the most relevant tools and practices are applied to maintain and improve the quality of the Service¿s delivery. 

S/he leads and conducts inquiries and other oversight activities, individually or along with other staff in the Service, to perform research and analysis of recurring systemic oversight issues that present a high risk to the Organization, identifying root causes and assessing potential remedial measures.

S/he liaises and collaborates with other management and staff in the IGO, UNHCR¿s other internal and external oversight entities, Representatives and Directors of Divisions and Bureaux, members of the IAOC, and interlocutors involved in oversight in the UN, NGOs, and other organizations.

FUNCTIONAL STATEMENT
Accountability
- Staff of the Unit have the qualifications, skills and support required to achieve the objectives established for the unit;
- Inquiries of a high professional standard are conducted, reported upon, and compliance is monitored.
- Management receives timely and accurate information on results of oversight matters, especially on systemic recurring activities or emerging risks that pose a threat to the Organization¿s ability to deliver its mandate.
- The relationship with the Joint Inspection Unit of the United Nations System (JIU) is properly managed through timely coordination of inputs to JIU reviews and periodic reporting on compliance with relevant JIU recommendations.
- UNHCR Audit Service receives the necessary support in accordance with UNHCR's MOU with OIOS.
- The IAOC meetings are well organized and quality reports and presentations are provided to stakeholders.
- UNHCR staff are appropriately informed of the authorities, responsibilities, accountabilities of the IGO and other oversight entities in the Organization and of the results of oversight activities.
- The unit has the tools and procedures to manage and monitor its oversight reporting and compliance obligations.

Responsibility
- Provide advice to the Head of Service on staffing and performance management, on operational and strategic plans and budgets.
- Provide advice to the Head of Service on oversight matters within area of responsibility.
- Represent the IGO or the Head of Service in relevant internal and external task forces/meetings on oversight matters in the areas of the Service's responsibility.
- In collaboration with other departments/services, prepare, review and provide input to oversight information sharing agreements and Terms of Reference for arrangements with UN Agencies and other partners.
- Review, and provide feedback to the Head of Service on draft agreements with oversight clauses.
- Conduct and lead, as required, inquiries, including: develop terms of reference, objectives and parameters and ensure they are in conformity with established policy and standards; define the type of expertise required for each engagement, draft terms of reference for contracts with external experts as required; oversee the preparation of reports, and follow up on compliance to recommendations.
- Head and conduct research and in-depth analysis of oversight findings and recommendations, and, in coordination with other oversight functions, identify lessons learnt and root causes of recurring systemic issues that present high risks to the Organization, and prepare summary reports, with recommendations, on significant oversight matters requiring management action or intervention.
- Promote best practice in oversight matters that are within area of responsibility.
- Work closely with staff from internal and external oversight entities, conduct research and analyse systemic recurring oversight matters that present high risks to the Organization, identify root causes and lessons learned, and provide suggested solutions to address systemic issues. 
- Gather and analyse plans of oversight functions and propose an activity plan for the Service.
- Participate in the work of the Investigation Service, as required.
- Manage the provision of Secretariat services to the IAOC (Independent Audit and Oversight Committee) including: communicate with IAOC members, internal and external auditors, and management; prepare a draft report to ExCom and presentation to the Standing Committee; budget management; familiarization of new members; and maintain the IAOC internet page. In coordination with the Oversight Associate, organize meetings, make travel arrangements and prepare agenda and related documentation.
- Prepare and review and provide input to the IGO¿s reports to external stakeholders (including reports and presentations to UN bodies, interagency meetings on oversight, and meetings of ExCom and the Standing Committee).
- Support and advise the Head of Service in managing the IGO's communication strategy, including intranet and internet communications. 
- Assist to develop and review administrative policies and procedures and related training and communication materials for the IGO.
- With assistance from the Global Learning Centre, develop and disseminate training and communication material in areas of responsibility.
- Contribute to the development of a data management tool gathering oversight findings and recommendations: oversee the design and the definition of user requirements; collect constraints and expectations from various stakeholders; monitor progress with the information systems specialists and ensure adequate maintenance and upgrades are performed.
- Ensure that tools used by the Service fulfil its needs and requirements, and oversee the identification and implementation of relevant software solutions.
- Perform other related duties as required.

Authority
- Have access to all persons, records, reports, and assets under the ownership or control of UNHCR required to perform his/her work.
- Make decisions relating to administrative duties required of the IAOC Secretariat.
- Provide advice to the Head of Strategic Oversight and the Inspector General on technical matters within his/her area of expertise.
- Lead inquiries and other assigned oversight activities, make decisions on profiles of the team members, report on the findings, and monitor compliance.
- Make decisions required to implement the IGO¿s communication strategy.
- Represent UNHCR as required in relevant internal and external task forces/meetings within areas of the Service's responsibility.
- Represent UNHCR as required in UN meetings dealing with oversight matters.

ESSENTIAL MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
- Graduate degree (equivalent to Master¿s) in Business/Public Administration, International Law, Social Science or related field with minimum of 11 years of professional experience in functions involving protection, programme or resources management or project control or supply or finance, in an international setting, of which at least 8 years in functions requiring sound knowledge of accountability frameworks and/or risk management principles and practices in the UN system;. Undergraduate degree (equivalent of a BA/BS) plus 12 years or Doctorate degree (equivalent to PhD) plus 10 years of previous relevant work experience may also be accepted.
- Working knowledge of oversight functions in the UN.
- In-depth knowledge of UNHCR¿s role, mandate, structure, organisation and modus operandi, in particular as these relate to operations.
- Experience in field operations as well as in the conduct of audit, investigations, inspections, evaluations, protection, programme, or other operational reviews, forensic reviews, review of processes and controls, and governance structures and mechanisms or other exercises aimed at assessing the quality of management and performance.
- Ability to research and analyse qualitative and quantitative information, draw sound and well-founded conclusions, and present findings, recommendations and conclusions in a clear, precise, concise and informed manner.
- Excellent judgement with proven ability to deal with complex interrelated issues.
- Ability to produce high quality results through effective collaboration with other members of strategic oversight and management of the IGO.
- Ability to extract information from IT systems.
- Strong communication, interpersonal and negotiation skills. Ability to relate appropriately and effectively with people from all cultural, social and educational backgrounds.
- Fluency in English, including 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. 

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS & COMPETENCIES
- Working experience in UN system organizations in risk management and oversight.
- Fluency in another UN language, preferably French, Russian, Spanish or Arabic. 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
M004L4 - Strategic Planning and Vision Level 4
M003L4 - Judgement and Decision Making Level 4
X005L4 - Planning and Organizing Level 4
X001L4 - Analytical Thinking Level 4
X008L4 - Stakeholder Management Level 4
X009L4 - Change Capability and Adaptability 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.

.This post revision is part of a restructuring within IGO in response to recommendations made by Raymond Hall in the report `Review of the Oversight Function¿ dated 18 June 2016, and related decisions by the High Commissioner.  The HC has decided to suspend the practice of standard inspections, and to assign new oversight functions to the IGO.  Accordingly, a new service has been created in the IGO called Strategic Oversight, headed by a D1 with 4 professionals and one general service staff.  Strategic Oversight provides the High Commissioner and Senior Management with analysis, recommendations and lessons learned of oversight findings relating to recurring systemic issues that present a high risk to the organization.  It also provides Secretariat services to the IAOC, acts as focal point with the Joint Inspection Unit of the United Nations System (JIU), and supports the UNHCR Audit Service of OIOS in their provision of internal audit services to UNHCR.  Existing positions that were in the Inspection Service are being changed to meet the new expectations of the service.  This P5 position, previously Senior Inspection Coordinator, is to be reclassified to Head of Unit, Oversight Operations. This is a newly-created position in a new Service, Strategic Oversight, Inspector General¿s Office.
The line manager that the position reports to is the Head, Strategic Oversight. Family Duty Station.  Duty travel will be required including to non-family duty stations. No particular security considerations.

Please note that the closing date for vancancies in the Addendum 2 is Sunday 16 December 2018 (midnight Geneva time)