Risk Management Analyst (Nationals Only)

The ongoing crisis in Myanmar is a complex mix of political and economic crises that is exacerbating, and escalating humanitarian and human development needs and has already placed basic needs of the people at risk. After a decade of strong economic growth, the recent political setbacks coupled with the impact of the global COVID-19 pandemic, threaten Myanmar’s chances of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). A recent UNDP report (April 2021) warns that up to 25 million people (48.2% of the population) may end up below the poverty line by early 2022. These estimates were further confirmed in UNDP’s latest survey that shows that urban poverty will triple, and rural poverty increase by a third. Furthermore, after a period of relative peace, contested ethnic areas— in particular Chin, Kayah, Kachin and Shan states and Sagaing region—have witnessed a resumption in armed conflict. The formal peace process is considered stalled, and 295,000 people have been displaced by insecurity since February 2021, adding to the 370,000 people already displaced by conflict before 2021 (UNOCHA Myanmar Humanitarian Snapshot, December 2021). The consequences of these trends are catastrophic. Major gains over the past 10 years on good governance and economic inclusion are at risk. This context, and the uncertain political situation in Myanmar is driving a simultaneous humanitarian and development crisis that threatens hard-won socio-economic gains.

While meeting critical and immediate humanitarian needs where they appear is vital, these actions must be underpinned by simultaneous efforts to address rapidly growing multi-dimensional vulnerabilities, enhance resilience to shocks, protect development gains and invest in local capacities of civil society as an important agent of change in sustainable development. Furthermore, urgent efforts are needed to protect basic human rights like education, health, work, housing and food, to address exclusion, intergenerational poverty that will further exacerbate the crises. In response to the current context and challenges UNDP has launched a number of initiatives under the “Community First Programme” that aims to enhance resilience of vulnerable communities by working directly at the community level.   

To support the effective decision making, risk management, and external projection of the UNDP office and program results, and to ensure that the RR and DRR have a whole-of-office perspective, a Risk and Strategic Management Unit (RSMU), reporting directly to the RR, would cluster the functions that require whole-of-program, whole-of-operations, whole-of-country or whole-of-operational environment knowledge, documentation, and analysis capacity. This unit would guide the M&E, Communications, Risk Management, and Strategy Planning function, including forward year planning and compliance with corporate tools (ROAR, IWP, audit follow up, risk logs, multiyear financial projections, delivery tracking, soft pipeline population etc.) and would ensure that donor reporting and results-based narratives needed to mobilize future resources would be completed on time and with a good knowledge of the CO functions. This unit will, while remaining neutral in oversight roles for verification of results, play an important in developing SOPs for processes involving multiple functional units in the office to ensure it is clear who is responsible, accountable, and must be consulted or informed (RACI framework) to ensure a results-driven office.

Reporting directly to the Risk & Strategic Management Specialist the Risk Management Analyst will support in implementing the risk management regime and strategies in place through the provision of risk analysis and support.

Position Purpose

1. Risk Management Analysis
2. Development of Risk Management practices
3. Evidence-based Action Research and Analysis
4. Partnership and Coordination
5. Learning, Knowledge Management and Self Development          

Risk Management Analysis

• Identify, assess, and manage contextual, programme and operational and business risk.  This includes the ability to analyse and interpret complex information and data collected, accurately identify issues and trends, make appropriate judgments, and provide relevant recommendations
• Identify the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into respective parts.
• Conduct desk review of documents, including partners capacity assessment, partners profile and other relevant documents and documentary evidence of the key personnel and decision-making body as well as undertake his/her own research on due diligence to make specific
• Collect, analyse, and evaluate information from a variety of public sources, including UN Security Council, investigation reports, regulatory bodies and law enforcement, or geographic information systems to complete risk profiles.
• Identify key contextual and operational risks and mitigating factors of potential development and humanitarian interventions.
• Respond to ongoing requirements on verifications, allegations and fact checks and provide recommendations and advise accordingly.
• Coordinate, if needed, risk management activities across different partners engaged in implementation of risk management practices in Myanmar.

Development of Risk Management practices

• Under the guidance of the Risk Management Specialist, contribute to the development of risk management systems in line with the risk management strategy adopted for the CO and in accordance with international standards on Risk Management.
• Work closely with all projects and monitor risk frameworks developed for each project; follow up closely with all relevant people on risk accountability
• Ensure integration of corporate risk management practices within the overall CO integrated risk management strategy adopted.
• Contribute to the establishment and enhancement of best practice in the area of risk management.
• Contribute to the dissemination of best practices within the aid community in Myanmar.

Evidence-based Action Research and Analysis

• Design and undertake quantitative, qualitative, mixed methods or experiential research design approaches, as appropriate, to support evidence-based responses to key risk areas faced by the UNDP in Myanmar.
• Design data collection and analysis methodologies to capture lessons learned at programmatic and operational levels, to iteratively feed back into project/programme risk management practices and mechanisms.
• Design, develop and introduce frameworks in support of evidence-based and contextualized best practice for the UNDP in managing specific fraud/corruption and AML/CTF risk areas.
• Support, through evidence-based research findings, initiate and facilitate discussions across aid community partners to develop common and sustainable risk management tools, practices and capacity building programs.

Learning, Knowledge Management and Self Development

• In coordination with the RSMU team, contribute to the development and enhancement of class-based and online risk management courses in the context of Managing Project Risk and other technical assistance products (guidance notes, etc.) to support capacity building.
• Facilitate, deliver, and oversee risk management learning curricula to the UN, CSO’s and other partners.
• Provide risk management related technical assistance to the Country Office and its stakeholders, and under the guidance of the RSMU team leader.
• Ensure self-development and remain up to date with new and innovative developments in risk management.

Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities:

• Ensures maintenance of the proper performance management and staff development systems.
• Reviews training needs, develops a training plan and makes recommendations to Management for its implementation taking into consideration resources available.

• Achieve Results: LEVEL 2: Scale up solutions and simplifies processes, balances speed and accuracy in doing work.
• Think Innovatively: LEVEL 2: Offer new ideas/open to new approaches, demonstrate systemic/integrated thinking.
• Learn Continuously: LEVEL 2: Go outside comfort zone, learn from others and support their learning.
• Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 2: Adapt processes/approaches to new situations, involve others in change process.
• Act with Determination: LEVEL 2: Able to persevere and deal with multiple sources of pressure simultaneously.
• Engage and Partner: LEVEL 2: Is facilitator/integrator, bring people together, build/maintain coalitions/partnerships.
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 2: Facilitate conversations to bridge differences, considers in decision making.

People Management (Insert below standard sentence if the position has direct reports.)

• UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site.

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies (insert up to 7 competencies)

• Business Direction & Strategy - System Thinking
  • Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system.
• Business Development - Knowledge Generation
  • Ability to research and turn information into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need.
• Business Development - Results-based Management
  • Ability to manage programmes and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results.
• Business Management - Project Management
  • Ability to plan, organise, prioritise and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals.
• Business Management - Risk Management
  • Ability to identify and organize action around mitigating and proactively managing risks.
• Business Management - Monitoring
  • Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback on the consistency or discrepancy between planned and actual activities and programme performance and results.
• Business Management - Evaluation
  • Ability to make an independent judgement based on set criteria and benchmarks - Ability to anticipate client's upcoming needs and concerns. 
• Business Management - Working with Evidence and Data
  • Ability to inspect, cleanse, transform and model data with the goal of discovering useful information, informing conclusions and supporting decision-making.

• Minimum 2 years (Master’s degree) or 4 years (bachelor's degree) of relevant professional work experience at the national level.
• Professional experience in Risk Management, Project Management with international/governmental organization is desirable.
• Exposure to international standards on risk management (ISO31000, The Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO), Enterprise Risk Management) and knowledge on ESG risk will be an advantage.
• Evidence of ability to deliver on Risk Management, including effective planning, setting up systems/protocols, monitoring and reporting.
• Excellent interpersonal, communicative and persuasion skills.
• Proven track record of building and sustaining effective partnerships among different stakeholders.
• Ability in providing high quality service.
• Proven experience and qualification in the design, implementation and evaluation of training programs and initiatives.

Language requirements:

• Fluency in English and Myanmar language

Important: