Operational Risk and Control Specialist, Quality Management Unit (QMU), Division for Management Services (DMS), East and Southern Africa Regional Office (ESARO), Johannesburg, South Africa, P-3

The Position:

The Operational Risk and Control Specialist post is part of the UNFPA Division for Management Services’ (DMS) Quality Management Unit (QMU). The position is located in UNFPA's East and Southern Africa Regional Office (ESARO), in Johannesburg, South Africa. The incumbent initially works under the supervision of the Chief, QMU. The position is rotational.

How you can make a difference:

UNFPA is the lead United Nations agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is intended, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. The UNFPA Strategic Plan for 2026-2029 articulates the organization’s response to a complex global environment, providing a roadmap for resilience and renewal. It is designed to accelerate the implementation of the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. This mandate is pursued through a focus on four interconnected outcomes: ending the unmet need for family planning; ending preventable maternal deaths; ending gender-based violence and harmful practices; and adapting to demographic change through evidence and rights-based policies.

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

UNFPA is seeking candidates who transform, inspire, and deliver high-impact sustained results, ensuring effective external relations, communications, partnership-building and resource mobilization in a rapidly changing development and funding landscape. We need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them, and who commit to delivering excellence in programme results

The incumbent provides guidance, technical support, and oversight to all business units (BUs) in the region, covering implementing partner management, internal control and fraud risk management. Based on rigorous and continuous data analysis, the incumbent identifies risks, flags and control gaps, addresses these through appropriate mitigating measures, and escalates as needed.

• Guide, advise and coordinate the application of corporate policies in the region, adapt CO approaches, and contribute field perspective to standards, policies, tools
• Technically support BUs in the region, function as regional knowledge hub and support the RO and BUs in applying policies, effectively using systems and undertaking corrective action as necessary. Build capacity by training, coaching and backstop CO capacities
• Oversee BUs, monitor and analyse CO performance and identify CO performance and internal control gaps, ensure compliance and corrective action, escalate as needed

You would be responsible for:

Implementing Partners risk management/ HACT

The Specialist masters processes, systems and policies for implementing partner risk management or HACT and is the first port of call for all technical questions and policy guidance. The Specialist proactively monitors who detects risks, gaps and weaknesses, devises mitigating measures and ensures compliance. These processes include: Due diligence/ vetting, capacity and risk assessment, monitoring and assurance, and IP fraud risk management.

Guidance

• Offer consistent guidance to BUs on implementing IP risk and assurance policies, ensuring corporate strategies are adapted to specific local contexts.
• Assist BUs in selecting the most appropriate operational modalities and instruments for implementing partnerships.
• Support BUs in the implementation of corporate risk-based IP assessment and assurance activities, facilitating the escalation process for necessary exceptions.
• Proactively engage at regional inter-agency fora on IP management.
• Guide BUs on strategic UNCT collaboration on IP management.
• Advocate for and support BUs in the diligent allocation of resources for the necessary IP risk mitigation and assurance and advance risk sharing efforts. In particular, guide CO on ensuring the cost of IP management is reflected in donor proposals.

Technical support

• First port of call for technical support to the RO and BUs on IP assurance and risk management, incl. inter-agency processes. Ensure that BUs have updated knowledge on IP management.
• Support BUs in applying and complying with corporate policies and standards for IP management.
• Support the implementation by the RO and BUs of optimised corporate systems and tools, including dashboards and checklists.
• Serves as the hub for knowledge management and learning in the region.
• Collect and promote best practices in IP mgt and make them available throughout the BUs.
• Address knowledge, capacity and performance gaps across regions and prioritise based on risk.
• In consultation with the team, identify capacity gaps at business units and IPs and arrange for appropriate training  on policies and best practices
• Provide or arrange temporary backstopping to BUs in case of capacity constraints.
• Provide regional quality assurance over all HACT reports in the region (capacity assessments, spot checks, audits and the follow up to recommendations from all three exercises).
• Facilitate development of appropriate IP due diligence tools for countries in the region taking into consideration feedback from interagency fora, UNCTs and or UN Risk units.  

Management oversight

• Using available data, reports, dashboards and interactions with BUs, monitor and follow up on regional CO compliance, timeliness and completeness.
• Analyse regional CO compliance and performance and identify gaps for corrective action.
• Provide regional quality assurance over data and processes.
• Ensure compliance and performance of BUs for IP assurance and ensure that targets are met.
• Monitor corrective action for IP mgt by BUs for gaps and ensure technical support is provided as needed.
• Monitor for, identify, and address CO internal control weaknesses for IP risk management and ensure they are addressed and support is provided as needed.
• Escalate high risks detected for IP issues to the Chief, QMU and the Regional Director as needed.

Internal controls and fraud risk management

The Specialist masters processes, systems and policies for the internal controls and fraud risk management portfolio and is the first port of call for all technical questions and policy guidance. The Specialist proactively monitors to detect risks, gaps and weaknesses, devices mitigating measures and ensures compliance. These processes include: assessment and optimisation of internal controls and the Internal Control Framework (ICF), segregation of duties (SOD), control of system access and user roles, Anti-Fraud and Anti-Money-laundering/Counter Financing for Terrorism (AML/CFT) and integration with enterprise risk management (ERM). 

Guidance and Support

• Provide consistent guidance and solutions to the RO and BUs on the implementation of the ICF, SOD, system access/user roles, AML/CFT policies.
• Provide technical support, backstopping and capacity building to BUs on ICF, Anti-Fraud and AML training as needed.
• Support BUs to implement segregation of duties in the corporate ERP and ensure access roles are assigned in line with the ICF and the guidance on SOD.
• Support CO’s fraud risk assessments in conjunction with ERM colleagues.

Management oversight

• Using available data, reports and dashboards monitor regional CO compliance, timeliness and completeness.
• Analyse and identify gaps and raise to the RO for CO corrective action on performance gaps in the application of the ICF, including assignment of user roles, anti-fraud and AML policies.
• Ensure BUs take corrective actions.
• Ensure system user roles are aligned with the ICF policies and guidance.
• Promptly escalate significant internal control weaknesses to the Chief, QMU, and the Regional Director, and coordinate corrective actions with HQ business owners in human resources, procurement, finance, information technology and others as required.

Qualifications and Experience: 

Education:  

Advanced university degree in any of the following disciplines: Public Administration, Business Administration, Risk Management, Audit, Management or other related field. 

Knowledge and Experience: 

• A minimum of 5 years of professional experience in public administration, risk management, audit or other related areas, ideally in an international organisation.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and persuasion skills.
• Proven ability to build and sustain effective working relationships and to command attention to urgent tasks.
• Experience in drafting guidance and procedures and ability to make clear, compelling oral and written presentations
• Initiative and sound judgment
• Strong data, analytical and conceptual abilities 
• Proficiency in current office software applications and corporate IT systems. 
• Dedication to the principles of the United Nations
• Previous experience in the UN and knowledge of UN internal control, risk management and implementing partner procedures is advantageous.
• Previous experience in field operations is advantageous.

Languages: 

Fluency in English is required; working knowledge of French is desirable.

Required Competencies: 

Values:

• Exemplifying integrity, 
• Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system, 
• Embracing cultural diversity, 
• Embracing change

Core Competencies: 

• Achieving results,
• Being accountable,
• Developing and applying professional expertise/business acumen,
• Thinking analytically and strategically,
• Working in teams/managing ourselves and our relationships,
• Communicating for impact

Functional Competencies:

• Managing the organization’s financial resources 
• Providing procurement services 
• Ensuring facilities and assets management

Compensation and Benefits:

This position offers an attractive remuneration package including a competitive net salary plus health insurance and other benefits as applicable.

UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, diversity, integrity and healthy work-life balance. We are committed to ensuring gender parity in the organization and therefore encourage women to apply. Individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community, minority ethnic groups, indigenous populations, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups are highly encouraged to apply. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. UNFPA promotes equal opportunities in terms of appointment, training, compensation and selection for all regardless of personal characteristics and dimensions of diversity. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is at the heart of UNFPA's workforce - click here to learn more.

Disclaimer:

Selection and appointment may be subject to background and reference checks, medical clearance, visa issuance and other administrative requirements. 

UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process and does not concern itself with information on applicants' bank accounts. 

Applicants for positions in the international Professional and higher categories, who hold permanent resident status in a country other than their country of nationality, may be required to renounce such status upon their appointment.