Risk Management Officer

Org. Setting and Reporting

UNRWA, the largest United Nations operation in the Middle East with over 30,000 staff working across five areas of operation, is looking for highly committed personnel wishing to make a change. If you are looking for a rewarding opportunity to make a tangible difference for one of the most vulnerable communities in the world, UNRWA would like to hear from you. The Risk Management Officer reports to the Senior Risk Management Advisor and supports the strengthening of overall risk management systems and culture in the Agency and collaborates closely with colleagues in the Executive Office, Field Offices and HQ departments to support overall enhancement of risk management approaches.

Responsibilities

Supports UNRWA efforts to strengthen overall risk management systems and the risk culture across the Agency, working closely with and in support of UNRWA Field Offices and Headquarter departments. Supports development of an Agency-wide risk management strategy and policy and related systems; promotes broader and consistent use of the risk management methodology in the Agency, assists in integration of risk management into UNRWA policies, processes, training programmes and other initiatives. Promotes Agency-wide efforts to further strengthen the risk culture across UNRWA, playing a key role in the design and use of operational risk registers for Field Offices and HQ Departments; coordinating and facilitating periodic and ad-hoc risk reviews; undertaking quality assurance processes for operational risk registers and updating strategic and operational risk registers; works closely with the Human Resources Department to develop and implement learning systems that enable greater understanding and use of risk management as a central tool for planning and delivery of all aspects of work. Reviews and strengthens Agency risk management and compliance systems, structures, procedures and capacities across the Agency and assists management in their implementation; acts as the liaison with the Department of Planning to ensure that risk management considerations are integrated into strategic planning, monitoring, and reporting. Undertakes provision of risk management support to UNRWA Field Offices, as required, based on requests for dedicated support missions or remote support around risk management and risk assessments; provides feedback to all operations on their risk assessment process and helps Field Offices manage identified risks and opportunities. Assists, from an Agency-wide level, the collection, review, and implementation of oversight recommendations to improve risk management processes and risk mitigation measures and compliance. Acts as the Secretariat of an internal UNRWA network on risk management; develops a risk management internal communication strategy, including tools that provide guidance and promotes good practices, and lessons learnt related to risk management in UNRWA. As required, coordinates responses to donor queries in relation to risk management and supports overall reporting for project funding related to risk management.

Competencies

UN Core Values of Integrity, Professionalism and Respect for Diversity, and Core Competencies of Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results apply by default. Planning and Organizing Analyzing Relating and Networking Learning and Researching Strong problem-solving skills to develop solutions that address root causes. Excellent communicator with strong interpersonal and writing skills. For guidance on how to prepare for competency-based interviews: https://careers.un.org/lbw/home.aspx?viewtype=AYI

Education

Advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent) from an accredited educational institution in business administration, international affairs, political science, risk management, law or other related field.

Job – Specific Qualification

Certification in risk management is desirable.

Work Experience

Advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent) from an accredited educational institution in business administration, international affairs, political science, risk management, law or other related field is required. At least five years of progressively responsible professional experience in areas such as political, social, civil, humanitarian, or legal affairs; public or business administration; public sector policy roles is required. Unless already serving as an international staff member in the UN Common System, at least two continuous years of relevant international experience outside UNRWA, and outside the country(s) of citizenship is required. Knowledge of and working experience with Enterprise Risk Management frameworks or on compliance related areas is required. Exposure to and experience in UN or humanitarian field operations and emergencies in various geographical locations and multiple functional areas is required. Knowledge of and working experience in development and implementation of training modules is desirable. Proficiency in a second UN language, preferably Arabic is desirable.

Languages

Excellent command of spoken and written English is required. Proficiency in a second UN language, preferably Arabic is desirable.

Assessment

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

Special Notice

Type of Contract and duration: 1 year project funded, with the possibility of further extension subject to availability of funds, need and performance. The incumbent is required to travel frequently, particularly in the Agency’s area of operations. Applicants have to complete the Personal History Profile (PHP) in inspira in order to be considered. The PHP should be completed with full relevant work experience as per the requirements in the Job Opening, in order to be considered. UNRWA welcomes applications from qualified candidates with disabilities. A roster may be created from the selection exercise, and successful candidates may become eligible for appointment to the same post or a similar post. Join our eco-friendly organization dedicated to environment sustainability and targeting to be plastic free by 2025. Equivalency: A first level university degree in combination with additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree. NB: work experience alone or formal qualifications with no relevant work experience are not considered an acceptable combination. UNRWA is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions from UN member states, regional bodies, business foundations and individual contributions. The mission of UNRWA is to help Palestine refugees achieve their full potential in human development under the difficult circumstances in which they live. For more details on UNRWA, please visit: https://www.unrwa.org

United Nations Considerations

Staff members are subject to the authority of the Commissioner-General of UNRWA and to assignment by him or her. UNRWA is committed to achieving gender parity at all levels of staffing under the current UN-wide gender agenda and strongly encourages applications from qualified applicants from under-represented groups. At UNRWA, 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. UNRWA is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application. UNRWA Considerations UNRWA staff are expected to uphold the highest standards of efficiency, competence, neutrality, impartiality and integrity. This includes respect for and commitment to human rights, diversity and non-violent means of dealing with all kinds of conflict. Only persons who fully and unconditionally commit to these values should consider applying for UNRWA jobs. Candidates will not be considered for employment with UNRWA 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. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. The Agency may disqualify applicants who have separated for reason of misconduct, who left a UN Agency while misconduct processes were pending, or who appear on the UN Sanctions List. UNRWA is a non-smoking work 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.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS RELIEF AND WORKS AGENCY FOR PALESTINE REFUGEES IN THE NEAR EAST (UNRWA) DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE OR REQUEST MONEY FROM CANDIDATES AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT AND ONBOARDING PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING, ONBOARDING). UNRWA DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.