The Effectiveness Group/Quality Programming (EfG/QP) in BPPS responsibilities related to programmatic risk management includes as follows: i) lead risk informed programming guidance in line with UNDP’s Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) Policy[1], including for private sector risk assessment process[2]; ii) lead updates and application of UNDP’s environmental and social safeguards policy and guidance, and iii) strengthen capacity and learning across UNDP for more effective programmatic risk management, including the social and environmental standards (SES) implementation[3].

BPPS/EfG/QP is also responsible for the Integrated Risk Module for Results Management, which includes digitalization of various risk assessment tools, such as the Project Quality Assurance (PQA), the Social and Environmental Standards Procedure (SESP), the Private Sector Due Diligence (PSDD), and the Partner Capacity Assessment Tool (PCAT) in the Quantum+ (SalesForce software suite) and to be integrated with the Quantum Project Risk Registers.

The Risk Management Specialist will be a key member of the Quality Programming team on risk management matters to provide technical support to the Policy Specialist for Programmatic Risk Management, the PSDD Specialist, and the SES Policy Lead.

The Risk Management Specialist will perform the following duties and responsibilities:

A. Compliance to the programmatic risk management and policy analysis

• Review, analyze and quality assure relevant documents, policies and procedures, facilitate preparation of briefs for senior management, perform research on topics as assigned, analyze information and synthesize into clear summaries.
• Response to programmatic risk related requests by other teams in the Global Policy Network and beyond.
• Support BPPS/EfG/QP in convening of risk related committee meetings, management/policy group meetings, record minutes and record decisions, coordinate development of the agenda, gather and analyze information to support decision-making, and draft communication for senior management. Prepares all meeting reports and correspondence in a timely manner. Facilitate and track follow-up actions where relevant.
• Support the BPPS/EfG/QP in organizational tasks around the follow-up on cases investigated by the Social and Environmental Compliance Unit (SECU) and risk related audit and evaluation recommendations.
• Reviewing, drafting, editing, and disseminating of guidance notes, templates, webinars, and training materials.
• Conduct research, assessment and analysis of the risk related data, including data collected in Quantum+ (programme risk registers and the risk assessment tools), Dashboards (programme/project risks dashboards, PQA/SESP/PCAT/PSDD dashboards, SES Tracker, etc.), and Quantum project risk register; and

B. Digitalization of the programmatic risk assessment tools 

• Test, pilot and support the development of the digitized risk assessment tools in the corporate system (Quantum+);
• Support continuous improvement and updates to the risk dashboards, Corporate SES Toolkit, external SES website, SESP Online Tool, and SES Tracker.
• Develop user guidance, communication, and training materials to support the use of the digitized risk assessment tools.
• Engage with IT over systems integration and use of the Quantum+ risk assessment tools with Quantum project risk registers and PowerBI and SalesForce dashboards.
• Provide user support and troubleshooting through UNall for the Quantum+ risk assessment tools users; and
• Facilitate knowledge building and maintain/update online toolkits.

C. The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the BPPS/EfG/QP and the Organization.
Institutional Arrangement

Performing several different risk management related works across the BPPS/Effectiveness Group, this role reports to the Policy Specialist for Programmatic Risk Management, collaborates with the Private Sector Due Diligence Specialist and reports to the Policy Lead for Social and Environmental Standards on SES-related items.

Minimum Qualifications 

Min. Academic Education

• Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Social Policy, Public Policy, Politics, Economics, Development Studies, or related fields is required. Or
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the mentioned fields, combined with an additional 2 years of qualifying experience, will be considered in lieu of a master’s degree.

Min. years of relevant Work experience 

Minimum of 5 years (with a master’s degree) or 7 years (with a bachelor’s degree) of progressive experience in policy or program management and support at HQs, regional, or country contexts.

Required skills and competencies

• Experience in risk management.
• Experience working with the UN or other international organization.
• Experience in organizing and managing high-level meetings or events.

Desired additional skills and competencies

• Experience designing and implementing social & environmental safeguards, aligned with relevant international law.
• Experience in private sector due diligence.
• Experience with developing guidance, training materials, designing tools, and/or drafting communication material.
• Familiarity with UNDP Programme and Operations Policies and Procedures (POPP) is an advantage.

Required Language(s) (at working level)

• Fluency in written and spoken English is required.
• Working knowledge of one other official UN language would be an asset.

Annexes

• UNDP Enterprise Risk Management: https://info.undp.org/sites/ERM/SitePages/Home.aspx
• UNDP Policy for Due Diligence and Partnership with Private Sector; https://popp.undp.org/policy-page/private-sector-partnerships
• UNDP Social and Environmental Standards: https://www.undp.org/accountability/social-and-environmental-responsibility/social-and-environmental-standards