CHIEF OF SECTION, RISK MANAGEMENT AND COMPLIANCE

Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in Kabul, in the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA). Kabul is currently classified as an “E” hardship duty station and a non-family duty station. The Chief of Section, Risk Management and Compliance heads the Risk Management Coordination Section and reports to the Principal Coordination Officer in the Office of the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary General/Resident Coordinator/Humanitarian Coordinator. The focus of this job is to lead or direct planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of programmes, operations, policy development and implementation, and other activities related to the joint risk management approach of the UN System in Afghanistan.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Chief of Section, Risk Management and Compliance will be responsible for the following duties: • Develop and continuously improve enterprise risk management and internal control policies, business continuity/disaster recovery, and other related programmes/projects for the ODRSG-Development, and monitor the implementation of related activities, defining an overall direction for risk management efforts • Maintain the enterprise risk map and risk registers, and perform annual risk assessments, leading interviews and workshops with senior management and staff at all levels for risk identification and assessment. Identify and assess the overall risk profile and escalate and report risk issues and incidents, as appropriate • Provide subject matter expertise, and engage stakeholders to strengthen risk management practices across the UN System in Afghanistan that enable them to identify risk • Oversee consulting services for the UN risk assessment exercises * Support the UN risk management groups and liaise with the relevant humanitarian groups • • Develop and maintain risk management methodologies, systems and tools, including managing the tools, reporting and related activities, and coordinating with the Office of Investment Management in the implementation and monitoring of risk management activities • • Assess and address complex issues and plan for crises associated with changes in the business environment, strategy, and operations • Establish a monitoring and reporting system, make recommendations based on the risk tolerance and the specific risk, as well as on appropriate responses to manage the risks identified. • Provides guidance to the UN system and its partners on appropriate Anti Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism Controls • • Develop and formulate policy to manage and implement the risk management and internal control frameworks, assessing the risks and implications for men and women of any planned action. • Ensures the risk of aid diversion to sanctioned individuals and entities is adequately and consistently addressed by the UN agencies, funds and programmes, and provides advice, support, and assistance as required. • Provide advice on the definition of appropriate risk mitigation strategies and monitor their implementation • Provide expert technical advice for the implementation of risk management and internal control policies, methods, and responses • Prepare and consolidate reports and presentations for the consideration of the Risk Management (Working Group. • Provide leadership to drive the implementation and monitoring of all risk policies and practices to effectively mitigate risk • Act as Secretary of the Working Group and develop and manage information depositories, and act as the focal point for internal and external auditors, on risk management issues, coordinate audit responses, and monitor the implementation of audit observations • Plan, oversee and manage the work and performance of the risk team • Carry out other tasks as may be assigned by the Principal Coordination Officer. Leads team members efforts to collect and analyze data and provides insight to identify trends or patterns for data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting. Ensures that everyone can discover, access, integrate and share the data they need.

Competencies

Professionalism (without gender indicator) : Professionalism: Knowledge of […]. Ability to […]. 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. [Add gender indicator here]. 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 the audience. Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments. Delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards. Operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules. Supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments. Takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable. Vision: Identifies strategic issues, opportunities and risks. Clearly communicates links between the Organization’s strategy and the work unit’s goals. Generates and communicates broad and compelling organizational direction, inspiring others to pursue that same direction. Conveys enthusiasm about future possibilities. Leadership: Serves as a role model that other people want to follow. Empowers others to translate vision into results. Is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives. Establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support. Anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions. Drives for change and improvement; does not accept the status quo. Shows the courage to take unpopular stands. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing. Leadership: Serves as a role model that other people want to follow. Empowers others to translate vision into results. Is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives. Establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support. Anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions. Drives for change and improvement; does not accept the status quo. Shows the courage to take unpopular stands. Gender indicator for P-5 positions and above (when Leadership is not included): [Professionalism]. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing.

Education

Education An advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent degree) in Business Administration (MBA), Finance, Economics, Mathematics, Computer Science, or related field is required. A first-level degree (bachelor’s degree) in any field of study with two additional years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree in the specified fields of studies.

Job – Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience working in risk management or a related role is required. Experience in risk analytics, risk management, risk reporting, and risk advisory, or a related function is required. Experience in managing risk frameworks and systems is required. Experience using various management and data processing tools is desirable. Experience in working with and responding to audits is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English (oral and written) is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is desirable.

Assessment

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

Special Notice

Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures. At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities.

United Nations Considerations

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. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile 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.

No Fee

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.