UNDP Jobs - 13419- Risk Management Officer, UN Resident Coordinator’s

Risk Management Officer, UN Resident Coordinator’s Office

Location :

Nairobi, with frequent travel to Somalia (Re-location to Somalia when security permits), KENYA

Type of Contract :

FTA International

Starting Date :

01-Jan-2010

Application Deadline :

08-Dec-09 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

P-4

Duration of Initial Contract :

1 year

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

One Year (with possibility of extension)

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

Somalia provides a unique challenge in international assistance. The country requires the concurrent and continual delivery of a complex mix of relief, recovery, and development interventions in a deeply insecure, unpredictable and high-risk operating environment.

In recent years, increased volumes of UN assistance, particularly humanitarian aid, has increased the UN’s reputational and programme delivery risks. Questions have also been raised on the possible unintended exploitation of that assistance.

The UN Country Team, under the leadership of the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator (RC/HC) and in consultation with the Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the UN Political Office for Somalia (UNPOS), initiated a study on the operational environment, with a focus on procurement given the high volume of delivery and the possibility that the UN’s interventions may have negative consequences. A risk management exercise was conducted, and priority risks and possible actions to prevent or mitigate against such risks were identified. Dedicated capacity to ensure a risk management approach is implemented by the UN Country Team is required. Such an approach is critical to programming better to ensure support reaches the Somali people in need without doing harm, and to retaining credibility with stakeholders, such as donors and national partners.

In this regard, the UN RC/HC, on behalf of the UN Country Team and through the Resident Coordinator’s Office, has identified the need to recruit a Risk Management Officer. The objective of this position is to support the UN RC/HC and the UN Country Team in preventing and mitigating against operational risks.

The Risk Management Officer will support the UNCT by working in close cooperation with operational and programme staff and risk management focal points to ensure a risk management environment is cultivated to address hazard, financial, programmatic and operational risks.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of Key Functions:

Support the UN RC/HC and UN Country Team in their collective and individual management of hazard, financial, programmatic and operational risks;
Analyze and report on issues and trends in overall risk management;
Monitor the effectiveness of risk management practices;
Provide guidance and identify practical approaches to risk management;
Build internal capacity in risk management among programme and operations staff;
Perform any other task related to risk management as assigned by the UN RC/HC.

Functions / Key Results Expected

Support the UN RC/HC and UN Country Team in their collective and individual management of hazard, financial, programmatic and operational risks focusing on achieving the following results:
Development of a detailed workplan with outputs based on priorities for 3 months, 6 months and 1 year;
In collaboration with the agency Risk Management Focal Points, development and monitoring of the implementation of risk management strategies and actions with a view towards the UN’s accountability and ethical framework, ‘Do No Harm’ approach and humanitarian accountability.

Analyze and report on issues and trends in overall risk management focusing on the achievement of the following result:

Assessment and analysis of the operating environment in Somalia, keeping abreast of the evolving situation with regards to hazard, financial, programmatic and operational risk;
Remaining current on evolving risk management standards and leading risk management practices, particularly COSO, participate in knowledge networks and document lessons learned and best practices;
Development and maintenance of contacts with Agency Headquarters risk management staff.

Monitor the effectiveness of risk management practices, focusing on the achievement of the following results:

Monitoring the effectiveness of risk management practices, document and report findings to the appropriate bodies, including the UNCT and Risk Committee, on a quarterly basis.

Provide guidance and identify practical approaches to risk management, focusing on the achievement of the following results:

Development of longer term risk management strategies;
Liaising closely with the UN Communications Strategy Manager and UN Information Group to ensure coherent messages on related issues protect the UN’s reputation.

Build internal capacity in risk management among programme and operations staff, focusing on the achievement of the following results:

Facilitating a network of Risk Management Focal Points within the agencies, funds and programmes that would define risk management expectations and risk tolerance for identified risks, subject to the review and approval by the UN Country Team or Risk Committee;
Development and facilitating risk management training for programme and operational staff of all agencies, funds and programmes.

Perform any other task related to risk management as assigned by the UN RC/HC

Impact of Results

The work of the Risk Management Officer will result in (i) the establishment of a risk management environment whereby the risks of operating in Somalia - hazard, financial, programmatic and operational – are addressed coherently and proactively and (ii) capacity for risk management in all UN Agencies.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
Advocates and promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UN;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Treats all people fairly without favoritism.

Functional Competencies:

Comprehensive knowledge and experience managing risk in an international environment;
Ability to build and sustain effective partnerships with UN Agencies and main constituents, advocate effectively, communicate sensitively across different constituencies;
Demonstrates understanding of UN systems, procedures and operational activities for humanitarian, recovery and development.

Knowledge and Learning Management:

Shares knowledge and experience from within and outside the UN Country Team;
Encourages UN staff to share knowledge on risk management.

Coordination Effectiveness:

Builds and sustains strong relationships with key constituents, focuses on impact and result for them and responds positively to feedback;
Ability to lead, facilitate and manage the Risk Management network.

Management and Leadership:

Focuses on impact and results;
Leads teams effectively and demonstrates conflict resolution skills.
Establishes priorities for self and other members of the RC office; schedules activities to ensure optimum use of time and resources; monitors performance against development and other objectives and corrects deviations from the course;
In providing advice to the RC, has the capacity to gather comprehensive information on complex problems or situations, evaluates information accurately and identifies key issues required to resolve problems;
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
Demonstrates excellent organizational and strong interpersonal skills; ability to work independently as well as within a team;
Demonstrates excellent oral and written communication skills;
Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
Responds positively to critical feedback and differing points of view;
Solicits feedback from staff about the impact of his/her own behavior.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Advanced degree in International Relations, Political Science, Development, Management, Business Administration or a related subject.

Experience:

A minimum of 7 years professional work experience in programme management, operations support or a similar position in complex environments, with at least 3 or more years in risk management, particularly in insecure and international contexts;
Advanced analytical and investigative skills and strategic planning;
Excellent negotiation skills;
Solid experience in web-based information management systems;
Experience in training preferred;
Knowledge of programming in Somalia highly desirable.