CHIEF OF UNIT, RISK MANAGEMENT AND COMPLIANCE

These positions are located within the United Nations Peace-Keeping Operations and Special Political Missions. The Chief of Unit, Risk Management and Compliance reports to the Senior Management of the mission and manages the implementation of the risk management processes in accordance with the Organization’s Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) Policy and Framework.

Within limits of delegated authority, the Chief of Unit, Risk Management and Compliance, P-4, will be responsible for the following duties:

Oversight related activities:

•Oversees the preparation and implementation of the annual work plan of the Risk Management and Compliance Unit to ensure work priorities and objectives, taking into account the most effective use of resources;
•Acts as the primary point of contact on all matters relating to the oversight bodies (the United Nations Board of Auditors (BOA), Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) and Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS)) and the Audit Response Unit/Department of Operational Support (DOS). Oversees the findings and recommendations of the oversight bodies to identify material weaknesses and reportable conditions;
•Facilitates the field visits of the oversight bodies and the Audit Response Unit/DOS. Coordinates initial arrangements for oversight assignments, including provision of facilities, such as office space, access to systems, planning, and preparation of documentation that might be required. Ensures that relevant programme managers and support staff are available during oversight assignments;
•Arranges, attends and takes notes at the entrance/exit conferences and subsequently ensures that agreed actions arising are taken. Where necessary, facilitates and coordinates matters arising during the course of assignments between the Mission and the oversight bodies, including advising Mission Representatives on informal and preliminary responses, such as responses to audit observations;
•Briefs auditors on accounting, financial control and reporting procedures;
•Serves as a repository/custodian of all audit records;
•Reviews formal responses to oversight bodies, particularly for factual accuracy, and ensures timely, relevant, and pertinent responses. Critically reviews recommendations and advises the Director of Mission Support (DMS)/Deputy Director of Mission Support (DDMS) on whether to accept or reject recommendations taking into account, inter alia, the costs of implementation and the benefits that might arise, competing priorities, materiality, and the risk management framework adopted by the Mission, and identifying and suggesting alternative solutions to the problems arising from the findings if the recommendations are to be rejected;
•Follows up on the implementation of BOA, JIU, OIOS, Minimum Operational Security Standards, Minimum Operating Residential Security Standards, Fire, and Aviation Safety recommendations and provides status updates on a regular basis;
•Identifies systemic and repeated issues drawing lessons learned and develops guidelines for the conduct of mission self-assessment reviews;
•Facilitates and monitors the timely submission of letters of representation from the Director of Mission Support through the Head of Mission to the USG/DOS.

Risk management related activities:

•Coordinates the alignment of risk management with internal control measures for the gamut of activities undertaken by all Mission components; develops a risk register and an appropriate risk response plan to ensure that most critical risks are addressed, controlled, and monitored to mitigate any major impact on the achievement of the Mission’s mandate and strategic objectives.
•Conducts research, collates and disseminates information on risks related to the implementation of all aspects of the mission mandate; guides the work unit in the proper management of information and data relevant to risk management for appropriate analysis and reporting

•Works closely with mission personnel (heads of components, service chiefs and section chiefs) to ensure ongoing dialogue regarding risk management and the integration of the risk management process into both strategic planning and day to day operations;

•Develops appropriate training programmes, and provides authoritative advice on risk management policy, guidance and methodology at the mission level, and in consultation with the Department of Management Strategy Policy and Compliance (DMSPC)/Business Transformation and Accountability Division (BTAD)/Administrative Services/ERM Section at the enterprise level; works in collaboration with the mission stakeholders to promote risk ownership, accountability and improved risk mitigation;
•Coordinates and advises on the work of the Executive Secretary of the mission Risk Management Committee; facilitates and coordinates the establishment of the Committee to ensure that identified risks are assessed, recorded, prioritized, and that appropriate action is taken;
•Coordinates the activities of the risk management focal points for the various sections, units, and other components of the mission;
•Monitors and evaluates the mission’s success in managing risks, coordinates with the Best Practices/Knowledge Management team to identify and disseminate lessons learned and best practices;
•Serves as the custodian of mission’s Risk Register;
•Performs other duties as required.

Compliance related activities:

•Acts as internal control focal point to support mission’s system of internal controls, to assist in the Statement of Internal Control (SIC) process and to communicate about internal control or SIC related matters with the Internal Control Section in UNHQ (DMSPC/ Office for Programme Planning Finance and Budget (OPPFB)/Financial Policy and Internal Controls Service (FPICS);
•Works closely with mission personnel (heads of components, service chiefs and section chiefs) to raise awareness and ensure ongoing dialogue regarding internal control processes;
•Serves as the custodian for the entity Risk Control Matrix, which documents missions’s risks, controls and control gaps, and the corresponding Process Flowcharts;
•Ensures that the Risk Control Matrix and Process Flowcharts are maintained and updated, if required due to any structural or other changes in the mission or to processes;
•Oversees mission’s remediation plan, timeline and implementation actions for the control gaps identified in the Risk Control Matrix to ensure timely closure;
•Participates in the planning, implementation, and monitoring of new internal control measures;
•Coordinates, oversees and supports the activities of the various sections, units and other components of the mission in the annual self-assessment exercise for the Statement of Internal Control to attest compliance of mission with the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) Internal Control Framework;
•Promotes training related to internal controls within the mission;
•Performs other duties as required.

•Professionalism: Awareness of managerial and programmatic challenges of United Nations peacekeeping operations. Understanding of risk-management methodologies and related implementation issues. Ability to identify and analyze internal customer needs. Ability to work with minimal supervision and to define and achieve priorities. Excellent research, analytical and problem-solving skills. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

Judgement/Decision-making: Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly; Gathers relevant information before making a decision; Considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them; Takes decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on the Organization; Proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information; Checks assumptions against facts; Determines that the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision; Makes tough decisions when necessary.


•Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

•Planning & Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.

Advanced university degree (Master's Degree or equivalent) in Business, Administration, and Management, Logistics, Risk Management, Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, Political Science, Law or related field.

A first-level university degree with two years of relevant professional work experience may be considered in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Professional certification -in accountancy (e.g. Chartered Accountant or Certified Public Accountant) is desirable.

A minimum of seven (7) years’ progressively responsible in research, public administration, organizational development, operations management, project management or related fields is required.
Experience providing services to or in a field operation of the United Nations Common System or a comparable international organization is desirable.
At least three (3) years’ experience in formal risk or compliance management activities is desirable.

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of French is desirable.

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

The United Nations Secretariat maintains rosters of qualified and available candidates to fill anticipated job openings in peacekeeping operations, special political missions, and other field operations.

The purpose of this job opening is to generate a list of qualified candidates for inclusion in the Chief of Unit, Enterprise and Risk Management and Compliance Officer, P-4 roster. The entire assessment process takes an average of six months; all applicants will be notified in writing of the outcome of their application (whether successful or unsuccessful) within 14 days of the conclusion of the process. Successful candidates will be placed on the roster and subsequently will be invited to apply for field mission vacancies open only to roster members. Roster membership does not guarantee selection.

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment.

Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage.

The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.

Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.