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 Senior Risk Management Advisor reports to the Director, Strategic Positioning and Change.

Responsibilities

Leads 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, and building on existing structures and processes; special attention will be paid to coherence, identification of systemic risks/issues requiring an agency-wide response and sharing of good risk management practices and lessons learnt. Leads development of an Agency-wide risk management strategy and policy and related systems; enhances knowledge and application of risk management approaches and supports risk-informed decision-making and delivery; promotes broader and consistent use of the risk management methodology in the Agency through identifying opportunities for further integration of risk management into UNRWA policies, processes, training programmes and other initiatives. Leads Agency-wide efforts to further strengthen the risk culture across UNRWA; plays a lead role in further strengthening development and use of operational risk registers for Field Offices and HQ Departments; coordinates and facilitates periodic and ad-hoc risk reviews; undertakes quality assurance for operational risk registers and ensure strategic and operational risk registers are regularly updated; spearheads UNRWA efforts to enhance staff capacity on risk management, working closely with the Human Resources Department to develop and implement learning systems that enables greater understanding and use of risk management as a central tool for planning and delivery of all aspects of work. Reviews the adequacy of risk management and compliance systems, structures, procedures and capacities across the Agency, making recommendations as appropriate, and assisting management in their implementation; working closely with the Department of Planning, ensures that risk management considerations are integrated into decision making, strategic and operational planning, resource allocation, monitoring, reporting and contingency and emergency preparedness activities. Leads provision of risk management support to UNRWA Field Offices and HQ Departments, as required, based on requests for dedicated support missions or remote support around enterprise risk management and risk assessments; provides feedback to all operations on their risk assessment process; monitors and provides quality assurance over the implementation of risk management actions in the operations, and help strengthen the first line of control and manages identified risks and opportunities. Provides analysis of trends on risks at the global level; supports the work with internal and external oversight entities, reporting on specific trends and cross-cutting matters; assists Agency departments/field offices in the implementation of oversight recommendations related to improvement of risk management processes. Establishes an internal UNRWA network on risk management; promotes and disseminates policies, guidance, good practices, and lessons learnt related to risk management in UNRWA within the risk network; provides support and input for global risk management guidance, tools, methodologies and initiatives. As required, follow-ups on and coordinates and/or supports resolution of specific integrity, oversight and / or compliance matters and proposes improvements; supports coordination of integrity briefings to external stakeholders. 3.9 Represents UNRWA in various internal and external forums related to risk management; where required, engages with external stakeholders including donors, host authorities, partners, or contractors; provides briefings and updates on UNRWA’s efforts to strengthen risk management, organizational integrity issues and specific risk areas that may arise (some of which could be of a sensitive nature)

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. Formulating Strategies and Concepts Engaging and Nurturing Analyzing Creating and Maintaining Impact and Partnership Relating and Networking Persuading and Influencing Excellent judgement with proven ability to deal with complex interrelated issues and strong analytical and problem-solving skills to develop solutions that address root causes. Excellent communicator with strong interpersonal and writing skills. Strong management skills in collaboration, team building, capacity development and with ability to deliver quality results on time. 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, international development, 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, international development, risk management, law or other related field is required At least ten 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. At least five years of international exposure in senior leadership and management contexts involving, amongst other things, responsibilities relating to risk management, compliance and quality of results 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 is required. Experience in liaising with governmental and / or diplomatic authorities as well as international institutions and partner organizations is required. Exposure to and experience in UN or humanitarian field operations and emergencies in various geographical locations and multiple functional areas is required. Proficiency in a second UN language, preferably Arabic is desirable. Certification in risk management 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. A roster may be created from the selection exercise, and successful candidates may become eligible for an appointment to the same post or a similar post. UNRWA welcomes applications from qualified candidates with disabilities. 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 two 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.