Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located within the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA), duty station Bamako. The Chief of Unit, Risk Management and Compliance, reports to the Chief of Staff through the Deputy Chief of Staff. MINUSMA is a non-family mission.

Responsibilities

Within the limits of delegated authority, the Chief of Unit, Risk Management and Compliance, P-4, will be responsible for the following duties:

Oversight related activities:
– Oversees the preparation and implementation of the annual work plan of the Risk Management and Compliance Unit to ensure work priorities and objectives, taking into account the most effective use of resources;
– Acts as the primary point of contact on all matters relating to the oversight bodies (the United Nations Board of Auditors, Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) and Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS)) and the Audit Response Unit/DMSPC. Oversees the findings and recommendations of the oversight bodies to identify material weaknesses and reportable conditions;
– Facilitates the field visits of the oversight bodies and the Audit Response Unit/DMSPC;
– Coordinates initial arrangements for oversight assignments, including provision of facilities, such as office space, access to systems, planning, and preparation of documentation that might be required. Ensures that relevant programme managers and support staff are available during oversight assignments;
– Arranges, attends, and takes notes at the entrance/exit conferences and subsequently ensures that agreed actions arising are taken. Where necessary, facilitates and coordinates matters arising during the course of assignments between the Mission and the oversight bodies, including advising Mission Representatives on informal and preliminary responses, such as responses to audit observations;
– Briefs auditors on accounting, financial control and reporting procedures;
– Serves as a repository/custodian of all audit records;
– Reviews formal responses to oversight bodies, particularly for factual accuracy, and ensures timely, relevant, and pertinent responses. Critically reviews recommendations and advises the COS/DMS on whether to accept or reject recommendations taking into account, inter alia, the costs of implementation and the benefits that might arise, competing priorities, materiality, and the risk management framework adopted by the Mission, and identifying and suggesting alternative solutions to the problems arising from the findings if the recommendations are to be rejected;
– Follows up on the implementation of BOA, JIU, OIOS, Minimum Operational Security Standards, Minimum Operating Residential Security Standards, Fire, and Aviation Safety recommendations and provides status updates on a regular basis;
– Identifies systemic and repeated issues drawing lessons learned and develops guidelines for the conduct of mission self-assessment reviews;
– Facilitates and monitors the timely submission of letters of representation from the Director of Mission Support through the Head of Mission to the USG/DOS.
Risk management related activities:
– Ensures the alignment of risk management with internal control measures by coordinating all activities related to managing risks with all Mission components and ensuring that a risk register is developed and that a risk response plan is available to ensure that most critical risks are addressed, controlled, responded to and monitored to mitigate any major impact on the achievement of the Mission’s mandated objectives;
– Undertakes research on existing guidance and best practices materials for risk management;
– Works closely with mission personnel (heads of components, service chiefs and section chiefs) to ensure ongoing dialogue regarding risk management and the integration of the risk management process into both strategic planning and day to day operations;
– Provides guidance on and introduce methodologies for collecting, collating and disseminating data relating to risk management planning;
– Manages the regular ‘Mission Risk Management Report’ specifying the activities and progress of the risk management initiative and ensure that all required risk information is recorded in the risk management system for analysis and reporting purposes;
– Researches into modern audit and risk management techniques and applies them in the performance of the duties;
– Serves as the custodian of MINUSMA’s Risk Register;
– Coordinates and reviews closely with other stake holders like Custodians of the Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity (DRBC) frameworks, Organization Risk Management Custodian, Occupational Safety and Health focal point; and Responsive system regarding Business Continuity Plans;
– Performs other duties as required.

Competencies

Professionalism: Awareness of managerial and programmatic challenges of United Nations peacekeeping operations. Understanding of risk-management methodologies and related implementation issues. Ability to identify and analyze internal customer needs. Ability to work with minimal supervision and to define and achieve priorities. Excellent research, analytical and problem-solving skills. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspective and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

Planning & Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s Degree or equivalent) in finance, accounting, business administration or related field. A first-level university degree with an additional two (2) years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Work Experience

A minimum of seven (7) years’ progressively responsible in administration, auditing, finance, accounting, or related area is required.

Relevant experience working in field operation of the United Nations common system, or a comparable international organization, is desirable.

At least three (3) years’ experience in formal risk or compliance management activities is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of French is desirable.

Assessment

Previously rostered candidates are not subject to any further assessment and as such, will not be invited for such an assessment.

Special Notice

This “Recruit from Roster” job opening is only open to roster applicants who are already placed on pre-approved rosters, following a review by a United Nations Central Review Body. Only roster applicants who were placed on rosters with similar functions at the same level are considered to be eligible candidates. Eligible applicants receive an email inviting them to apply. Rostered applicants are encouraged to apply only if they are interested and available to take up the position at the duty station/s specified in the Job Opening. Applying to this job opening carries an expectation to accept the offer, if selected.

The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

United Nations Considerations

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations 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. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment.

Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.

The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.

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 DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.