Due Diligence and Risk Assessment Consultant

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• FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and culture.
• Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented Members and person with disabilities are encouraged to apply;
• Everyone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct, and to uphold FAO's values
• FAO, as a Specialized Agency of the United Nations, has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct that is incompatible with its status, objectives and mandate, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination　　
• All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
• All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality

Organizational Setting

In the Partnerships and Outreach Stream, the Project Support Division (PSS) has the lead responsibility for ensuring that corporate guidance on the Project Cycle, projects monitoring and TCP, New Operational Modalities, and Due Diligence are fit for purpose and contribute as part of a reinvigorated business environment to the Strategic Framework and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Director, PSS, leads the organization’s work in oversight and monitoring of projects; project cycle management; management and oversight of the Technical Cooperation Programme (TCP); due diligence and risk assessment review of partnerships with non-state actors; and the development and support of new operational modalities.
The Due Diligence and Risk Assessment Unit in PSS performs due diligence screening and risk assessment of engagements with the private sector and other non-state actors as per FAO’s Framework for Due Diligence and Risk Assessment/Management for Engagements (“FRAME”).
Reporting Lines

The Due Diligence and Risk Assessment Consultant reports to the Head of the Due Diligence and Risk Assessment Unit in PSS.

Technical Focus

Due Diligence and Risk Assessment (DDRA) specialized research and analysis on complex proposed collaborations following “FRAME”, DDRA research methodology, guidelines, procedures, and tools.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Conduct due diligence screening and risk assessment on potential proposals for engagement with the private sector and other non-State actors (NSAs) in line with “FRAME.”
• Review requests for screening, and analyze annual and financial reports and other relevant documentation.
• Undertake extensive research for screening the engagement proposals based on available information sources.
• Analyze, unravel, and map complex or hidden ownership/relationship/governance structures in engagement proposals.
• Draft and consolidate comprehensive screening reports for review, including analysis of risk factors associated with prospective entities and engagement proposals, outlining findings and key attention points, including presented red flags.
• Provide advice and help to revise, set up and/or develop DDRA research methodology, guidelines, procedures, and tools in compliance with “FRAME.”
• Assist with training, capacity development and outreach activities related to DDRA.
• Interpret analytics needed to improve due diligence and risk assessment processes.
• Organize and participate in meetings related to DDRA analysis in headquarters and by decentralized offices.
• Review of due diligence screening and risk assessments conducted by other analysts, as appropriate.
• Provide support across ongoing, planned and new activities/projects within the DDRA remit as may be required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree in ethics and compliance, business management, accounting, finance, economics, law, international relations or other related field.
• Minimum of three years of experience in a professional environment role as due diligence/ risk assessment analyst.
• Working knowledge (level C) of English and limited knowledge (level B) of one of another FAO official languages: French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese or Russian. For PSA, working knowledge of English is required.

FAO Core Competencies

• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

• Technical and analytical skills in research, organization of information, and data analysis in the context of performing due diligence research.
• Familiarity with state-of-the-art data science services for ESG Risk Ratings and analytical research (e.g., Sustainalytics, RepRisk).
• Good knowledge of UNSDG Common Approach to Prospect Research and Due Diligence for Business Sector Partnerships, the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights for implementing the UN ‘Protect, Respect and Remedy’ Framework (UN Guiding Principles), and the UN Global Compact’s Ten Principles,and of Anti-money Laundering.
• Detail-oriented and excellent report-writing skills in English.Ability to work with information systems.
• Ability to work with individuals from different cultural backgrounds and at all levels in the organization.

Selection Criteria

• Extent of knowledge of due diligence and risk assessment approaches, plus practical experience in their use. Experience in the UN is considered an asset (and can be considered to replace 1 year of experience).
• In-depth technical (ESG reputational risks, governance and financials) analytical skills.
• Demonstrate sound analytical skills, capacity to evaluate and organize multiple data sets and information, identify ESG and corporate risks and present complex findings clearly to support informed decision making.
• Extent of experience in due diligence research and risk assessment analysis in an international context.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Extent of experience with information systems related to due diligence.

Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency