Institutional Risk and Compliance Officer

Position Title: Institutional Risk and Compliance Officer

Duty Station: Geneva, Switzerland

Classification: Professional Staff, Grade P4

Type of Appointment: Fixed term, one year with possibility of extension

Estimated Start Date: As soon as possible

Closing Date: 04 August 2024

Established in 1951, IOM is a Related Organization of the United Nations, and as the leading UN agency in the field of migration, works closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners. IOM is dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It does so by providing services and advice to governments and migrants.

IOM is committed to a diverse and inclusive work environment. Read more about diversity and inclusion at IOM at www.iom.int/diversity.

Applications are welcome from first- and second-tier candidates, particularly qualified female candidates as well as applications from the non-represented member countries of IOM. For all IOM vacancies, applications from qualified and eligible first-tier candidates are considered before those of qualified and eligible second-tier candidates in the selection process.

For the purpose of this vacancy, the following are considered first-tier candidates:

1. Internal candidates
2. External female candidates:
3. Candidate from the following non-represented member states:

Antigua and Barbuda; Barbados; Botswana; Cabo Verde; Comoros; Congo (the); Cook Islands; Guinea-Bissau; Holy See; Iceland; Kiribati; Lao People’s Democratic Republic (the); Latvia; Madagascar; Marshall Islands; Micronesia (Federated States of); Namibia; Nauru; Palau; Saint Kitts and Nevis; Samoa; Sao Tome and Principe; Solomon Islands; Suriname; The Bahamas; Tonga; Tuvalu; Vanuatu

Second tier candidates include:

All external candidates, except candidates from non-represented member states of IOM and female candidates.

Context:

The Institutional Risk Division (IRD) oversees the development and implementation of the institutional risk management framework and policies, including the adoption of risk appetite statements and protocols for reporting risk exposures to the Director General, IOM’s Member States, Donors, and across the Organization. The Division is responsible for enhancing methodologies, tools, and competencies to support risk-informed decision-making and assist IOM’s management, staff, and partners to manage risks and seize opportunities in a dynamic, consistent, and integrated manner.

Embedded in the Institutional Risk Division (IRD), the Institutional Compliance Unit oversees institutional compliance with IOM rules, regulations, and policies through regular cross-functional reporting on compliance-related issues of concern to address recommendations made in external and internal audits and other internal and external Organization-wide reviews. The Unit aims to integrate structured, evidence-based and action-oriented information on internal governance matters, internal controls and compliance gaps through dedicated proactive management reviews of processes and systems to strengthen the Organization’s preventive response to emerging risks.

Under the direct supervision of the Chief Risk Officer (CRO) and works closely with other Divisions and Units within the Office of Strategy and Organizational Performance (OSOP) and across the organization to support organisational compliance with IOM rules, regulations and policies, The Institutional Risk and Compliance Officer is responsible for developing and implementing the institutional risk management and compliance framework in IOM, in line with the organization’s Strategic Plan.

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

1. Coordinate and collaborate with relevant IOM Departments, Divisions, Units and Offices, as well as external and internal auditors, donors and partners, on risk and compliance related matters, ensuring the alignment and integration of risk and compliance activities and reporting.
2. Establish mechanisms to monitor compliance with IOM rules and procedures and provide regular reporting on compliance issues of concern with a focus on addressing recommendations made in external and internal audits and reviews including for example the Multilateral Organization Performance Assessment Network (MOPAN), and the United Kingdom Foreign Development Cooperation (FCDO).
3. Identify and address areas of non-compliance with IOM rules, regulations, standards and best practices, and recommend corrective actions and improvements.
4. Monitor and track both external and internal audits or donor reviews of IOM and provide analysis underlying causes, propose solutions, and advise the Office of Strategy and Organizational Performance in providing progress reports on deliverables as well as points for decision and positioning.
5. Develop institution-level controls; strengthen risk management frameworks and accountability structures. Establish and maintain a risk and compliance register and dashboard, ensuring timely and accurate reporting and escalation of risk and compliance issues and incidents.
6. Conduct risk and compliance assessments and reviews at the organizational, regional, country and project levels, using appropriate tools and methodologies, and providing risk and compliance reports and recommendations to senior management and relevant stakeholders.
7. Monitor external and internal audits, central evaluation, external Member State and Donor assessment reports and drive institutional change to address recommendations where appropriate.
8. Ensure an institutional response to address any systemic deficiencies identified through Office of Internal Oversight (OIO) investigations and/or Monitoring and Evaluation reports.
9. Conduct enhanced due diligence on high-risk entities that have a relationship or potential relationship with IOM, such as partners, donors, contractors, and beneficiaries, using various sources of information and risk indicators.
10. Provide advice and guidance to relevant staff and units on due diligence matters, such as the identification of red flags, internal control deficiencies, the application of risk mitigation measures, and the documentation of due diligence actions and decisions.
11. Ensure the management of the Audit and Oversight Advisory Committee (AOAC) Secretariat, namely:

• Coordinating the regular and ad hoc meetings of the AOAC, including preparing the agenda, the background documents, the minutes, and the follow-up actions.
• Facilitate the communication and consultation between the AOAC and the senior management, the audit and investigation units, the external auditors, and the Member States on oversight and governance matters.
• Monitor and report on the implementation of the AOAC’s recommendations and advice by the relevant units and offices within IOM.
• Conduct research and analysis on oversight and governance topics and best practices and provide inputs and suggestions to the AOAC and the CRO for enhancing the oversight and governance framework of IOM.

12. Perform other related duties as required.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Education

• Master’s degree in business administration, Financial Management, International Accounting, External and Internal Auditing, Internal Control Management, Oversight or a related field from an accredited academic institution with seven years of relevant professional experience; or,
• University degree in the above fields with nine years of relevant professional experience.

Experience

• Experience at an international level in facilitating senior management communication, fostering cross-cutting initiatives across Organizations, in the fields of internal oversight, internal control frameworks, risk management and compliance;
• Experience at an international level in emergency response and humanitarian operations;• Experience and strong knowledge of humanitarian principles, IOM rules and regulations, and diplomatic relations;
• Strong experience at an international level in leading multi-cultural teams, and supervising;• Experience in monitoring and evaluation and / or auditing an advantage; and,
• Experience in directing and mentoring staff.

Skills

• In-depth knowledge of Internal Control Frameworks such as COSO, and Risk Management Standards such as ISO 31000 and COSO;
• Professional certification such as Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Internal Control Manager (COSO), Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), Certified Risk Management Assurance (CRMA), Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) or related certifications is an advantage; and,
• Excellent knowledge of ERP Systems such as SAP and Oracle, or other relevant Governance, Risk and Compliance (GRC) tools.

Languages

IOM’s official languages are English, French, and Spanish. All staff members are required to be fluent in one of the three languages.

For this position, fluency in English is required (oral and written). Working knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, and Spanish) is an advantage.

Proficiency of language(s) required will be specifically evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments.

Notes

Accredited Universities are the ones listed in the UNESCO World Higher Education Database (https://whed.net/home.php).

Required Competencies:

Values – all IOM staff members must abide by and demonstrate these five values:

• Inclusion and respect for diversity: Respects and promotes individual and cultural differences. Encourages diversity and inclusion.
• Integrity and transparency: Maintains high ethical standards and acts in a manner consistent with organizational principles/rules and standards of conduct.
• Professionalism: Demonstrates ability to work in a composed, competent and committed manner and exercises careful judgment in meeting day-to-day challenges.
• Courage: Demonstrates willingness to take a stand on issues of importance.
• Empathy: Shows compassion for others, makes people feel safe, respected and fairly treated.

Core Competencies – behavioural indicators level 3

• Teamwork: Develops and promotes effective collaboration within and across units to achieve shared goals and optimize results.
• Delivering results: Produces and delivers quality results in a service-oriented and timely manner. Is action oriented and committed to achieving agreed outcomes.
• Managing and sharing knowledge: Continuously seeks to learn, share knowledge and innovate.
• Accountability: Takes ownership for achieving the Organization’s priorities and assumes responsibility for own actions and delegated work.
• Communication: Encourages and contributes to clear and open communication. Explains complex matters in an informative, inspiring and motivational way.

Managerial Competencies – behavioural indicators level 3

• Leadership: Provides a clear sense of direction, leads by example and demonstrates the ability to carry out the Organization’s vision. Assists others to realize and develop their leadership and professional potential.
• Empowering others: Creates an enabling environment where staff can contribute their best and develop their potential.
• Building Trust: Promotes shared values and creates an atmosphere of trust and honesty.
• Strategic thinking and vision: Works strategically to realize the Organization’s goals and communicates a clear strategic direction.
• Humility: Leads with humility and shows openness to acknowledging own shortcomings.

IOM’s competency framework can be found at this link.

https://www.iom.int/sites/default/files/about-iom/iom_revised_competency_framework_external.pdf

Competencies will be assessed during a competency-based interview.

Other:

Internationally recruited professional staff are required to be mobile.

Any offer made to the candidate in relation to this vacancy notice is subject to funding confirmation.

This selection process may be used to staff similar positions in various duty stations. Recommended candidates endorsed by the Appointments and Postings Board will remain eligible to be appointed in a similar position for a period of 24 months.

The list of NMS countries above includes all IOM Member States which are non-represented in the Professional Category of staff members.

Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and background verification and security clearances. Subject to certain exemptions, vaccination against COVID-19 will in principle be required for individuals hired on or after 15 November 2021. This will be verified as part of the medical clearance process.

Vacancies close at 23:59 local time Geneva, Switzerland on the respective closing date. No late applications will be accepted.