Risk and Compliance Officer

The Position:

The Risk and Compliance Officer is responsible for supporting the implementation of the risk management framework and strategies by providing detailed risk analysis and support. 

This position reports directly to the Representative.

How you can make a difference:

UNFPA is the lead UN agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person's potential is fulfilled.  UNFPA’s strategic plan (2022-2025), reaffirms the relevance of the current strategic direction of UNFPA and focuses on three transformative results: to end preventable maternal deaths; end unmet need for family planning; and end gender-based violence and harmful practices. These results capture our strategic commitments on accelerating progress towards realizing the ICPD and SDGs in the Decade of Action leading up to 2030. Our strategic plan calls upon UN Member States, organizations and individuals to “build forward better”, while addressing the negative impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on women’s and girls’ access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights, recover lost gains and realize our goals.

In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, we need principled and ethical staff, who embody these international norms and standards, and who will defend them courageously and with full conviction.

UNFPA is seeking candidates that transform, inspire and deliver high impact and sustained results; we need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them and who commit to deliver excellence in programme results.

Job Purpose:

Working within the Palestine Country Office (CO) environment, you will play a crucial role in safeguarding the organization's assets and ensuring the efficacy of risk mitigation strategies. This position is primarily responsible for executing and enhancing the risk management regime by providing thorough risk analysis and critical support functions. The Risk and Compliance Officer will actively identify, assess, and prioritize risks, developing comprehensive strategies to manage and mitigate these risks effectively.

You would be responsible for:

Risk Management Analysis and Advice

• Identify, assess, and manage contextual, programmatic, operational, and business risks. This includes analyzing and interpreting complex information and data, accurately identifying issues and trends, making informed judgments, and providing relevant recommendations.
• Break down information or data into its component parts to uncover underlying principles, reasons, or facts.
• Conduct desk reviews of documents, including partner capacity assessments, partner profiles, and other relevant documentation. Perform independent research on due diligence to make specific recommendations to UNFPA operations in Palestine.
• Collect, analyze, and evaluate information from various public sources, such as the UN Security Council, investigation reports, regulatory bodies, law enforcement, and geographic information systems, to complete risk profiles.
• Identify key contextual and operational risks, as well as mitigating factors, for potential development and humanitarian interventions.
• Address requirements for verifications, allegations, and fact-checks by providing recommendations and advice as necessary.

Development of Risk Management Practices

• Plan and support the development of risk management systems that comply with international standards on Risk Management.
• Assist in the establishment and improvement of best practices in risk management.
• Facilitate risk management discussions and contribute to the standardization of tools and practices within UNFPA, the UN, and other partner organizations.
• Promote the dissemination of best practices within the humanitarian and development community in Palestine, and more broadly within the UNFPA/UN network as part of a 'community of practice.'

Evidence-based Action Research and Analysis

• Design and implement quantitative, qualitative, mixed methods, or experiential research approaches as appropriate to support evidence-based responses to critical risk areas faced by UNFPA in Palestine, particularly in the domains of fraud, corruption, money laundering, and financing of illicit activities.
• Create data collection and analysis methodologies to capture lessons learned at both programmatic and operational levels, facilitating continuous feedback into project and programme risk management practices and mechanisms.
• Develop and establish frameworks that support evidence-based and contextualized best practices for UNFPA in managing specific risks related to financing of fraudulent and illicit activities
• Utilize evidence-based research findings to initiate and facilitate discussions among aid community partners, aiming to develop common, sustainable risk management tools, practices, and capacity-building programs.

Partnership and coordination

• Establish and enhance partnership management with key internal and external stakeholders, including the UN, donors, and civil society organizations.
• Provide technical support and guidance on risk management practices to UNFPA and its partners.
• Forge both formal and informal partnerships with law enforcement and regulatory institutions, liaising with donors and creating working relationships and information-sharing protocols with UN audit, investigation offices, and relevant research institutions as needed.
• Coordinate risk management activities among various partners involved in implementing risk management practices in Palestine.

Learning, Knowledge Management and Self Development

• Contribute to the development and enhancement of both classroom-based and online risk management courses, focusing on Managing Project Risk and other technical assistance products (such as guidance notes) to support capacity building.
• Facilitate, deliver, and oversee risk management training curricula for the UN, NGOs, civil society organizations (CSOs), and other partners.
• Commit to personal development and stay informed about new and innovative developments in the field of risk management.

Perform other duties within your functional profile as assigned and deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the office