Syria is one of the most complex and dynamic humanitarian crises in the world. Since March 2011, over 400,000 Syrians have been killed and over one million have been injured. The humanitarian context has been further challenged by economic crisis. Overall, 13 million people were in need of some form of humanitarian assistance in 2021. This includes close to 6 million people estimated to be in acute need. 6.1 million people remain internally displaced while 5.6 million people have fled their homes, the vast majority to neighboring countries.

The crisis led UNDP to significantly redesign its activities to support the UN’s large scale humanitarian response. As the lead of the ERL Sector, UNDP plays a critically strategic role in the UNCT and in the Humanitarian Country Team (HCT).  The ERL sector currently provides the UN with the most effective intervention modalities to address negative socio-economic and humanitarian trends and their potential ramifications on peace and security. These interventions are reflected in UNDP Syria’s three core workstreams:

1. Access to basic services: Essential service rehabilitation projects help increase resilience of vulnerable communities while decreasing social tensions linked to competition over basic services.
2. Livelihoods and Economic Recovery: Interventions to boost sustainable income generating activities in both rural and urban areas are designed to provide decent economic opportunities to marginalized Syrians.
3. Social Cohesion and Local Governance: Based on a careful assessment of entry points, these initiatives more directly address sensitive community security and protection issues.

The Risk Management Analyst will work under the direct supervision of the Risk Management Specialist, and s/he is responsible for supporting the country offices in implementing the risk management and compliance practices and procedures in place through the provision of risk analysis/profiling and compliance check.

The position primarily focuses on comprehensive risk management analysis and advisory responsibilities. This involves identifying, assessing, and effectively managing contextual, programmatic, operational, and business risks.

A key aspect of the role is the ability to analyze complex information from various sources, accurately identify trends and issues, and provide actionable recommendations. Additionally, it entails conducting thorough reviews of documents and due diligence, ensuring specific recommendations are made to enhance the UNDP operation in Syria and respond to verification needs and allegations.

In terms of quality assurance and oversight, the position involves supporting risk analysis for programs and projects while adhering to organizational guidelines and standards. This includes pre-implementation reviews and promoting quality assurance in program design and implementation.

The Risk Management and safeguard Associate works in close collaboration with the other units of the Management Support unit, Operations, Programme and Project Teams in the CO, with the regional risk management unit Office of Audit and Investigation and with UNDP HQs staff for ensuring follow up on audit and compliance related issues and information exchange. S

2. Scope of Work:

1. Provides efficient support to processes and activities related to HACT audits, focusing on achieving the following results:
   • Prepare notifications letters and supporting documentation for HACT audits.
   • Collect and compile audit related information (e.g. background info/data for the I/NGO audit ToR) in collaboration with projects, programme and operations units.
   • Maintain audit information up-to-date and accurate, including the status of audit recommendations on the Comprehensive Audit and Recommendations Database System (HACT platform, CARDS and the I/NGO audit tracking system).
   • Extract and compile data from Quantum, CARDS and other sources. Prepare desk reviews of status of implementation of audit recommendations, I/NGO audit (HACT audit) exercises etc. for periodic audit related activity. Compile and prepare progress reports and RMU monthly audit updates.
   • Review, edit, proofread and finalize draft and final audit reports and presentations (desktop publishing layouts and formats), and completeness and accuracy of the information and data.
   • Support the preparation of the ToRs for the HACT audit, follow up the audit process and submission of report to CARDS
2. Provides efficient support to social and environmental standards (SESs), compliance and mitigation measures’ activities and process (risk screening, categorization, assessment and management), to achieve the following results:
   • Compile supporting documents for internal compliance reviews, unannounced spot-checks and risk management activities. Assist in review of the supporting documents, as required.
   • Update UNDP’s corporate RM tools, e.g. the relevant parts of Integrated IWP and ROAR, in the applicable system following the rules and procedures.
   • Contribute and ensure conducting of SES risk assessment and enforce ‎preventative measures
   • Review the SESs requirements and Environment and Social Management Plan ESMP ‎to ensure compliance with ‎ UNDP ESSs and other donors’ safeguard requirements.
   • Assist in the uploading of relevant Risk logs for the projects and facilitate the completion of the Social and Environmental screening process for each project.
   • Assist in monitoring adherence to UNDP´s programme and operations policies and procedures, and corporate guidance on risk management.
   • Assist in monitoring the effective implementation of internal control framework – ICF and in identification of non-compliance issues for further follow-up and corrective actions.
   • Ensure project SES action plan is aligned with and contributes to global/regional SES implementation plans.
   • Support enhancing quality assurance, through drafting and reviewing SESs requirements, documentation for projects (e.g. ESIA, ESMP, ESMF, IPP, RAP, SEP, relevant ToRs, etc) to ensure they meet SESs technical standards and requirements (for Nature, Climate and Energy Vertical Fund projects, clearance will be prior to submission for Headquarters “Safeguards Clearance”).
   • Track progress of high/substantial risk and other priority projects’ implementation of required SESs elements (ESIA, stakeholder engagement, disclosure, etc.).
   • Regularly scan and monitor available data and reporting on SES implementation across the portfolio to identify emerging risk categories (High/Substantial, medium, low) Risk projects that may require additional oversight and support.
   • Support the Risk management specialist in the Stakeholder Response Mechanism (SRM), grievance handling mechanism and local register.
3.  Provides efficient support to management of Risk Management Unit activities and implementation of CO SES screening, CO standard operating procedures, focusing on achieving the following results:

• Draft correspondence, general briefing notes, documents, reports and minutes of meetings for review and finalization by the Head of Unit.
• Organize and maintain a filing system (both electronic and hard copy), ensuring safekeeping of confidential materials. Keep the RMU workspace in Share-point up to date to ensure effective information flow on RMU issues throughout the CO.
• Carry out any ad-hoc tasks and data/information research and presentation as requested by the Head of RMU
• Support risk analysis and SES of programmes, projects and outputs.
• Promote LPAC quality assurance, including advice on implementation modalities and programme design.
• Ex-ante review of projects to ensure they are prepared and monitored according to POPP, UNDG guidelines for joint programmes and locally approved guidelines/SOPs.
• Inspect and review the management of various programmes, projects and field activities to ensure conformity with established regulations, rules and procedures.
• Support the review CO SOPs and advise improvement to further streamline processes that ensures smooth delivery of the country programme;
• Under the supervision of lead Risk Specialist conduct post-facto oversight for critical operations such as payments, procurement processes and human resources undertaken by projects.
• Prepare unofficial translations and carry out interpretation, when required.

4- Supports knowledge building and knowledge sharing in the CO and projects, focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Provide support to Risk Management Specialist to ensure quick learning and training to the UNDP risk management and safeguard requirements.
•  Carry out on-the-tasks and formal training for UNDP staff on audit & compliance and risk management requirements.
• Inform, monitor and explain to UNDP staff and contractors’ issues relating to SESs, audit, compliance and risk management.
• Identify lessons learnt and best practices in audit, compliance and risk management.
• Make sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.

3.  Institutional Arrangement:

The incumbent will have direct reports to the Risk Management Specialist.

4. Competencies: Please refer to the competency framework site for the entire list of competencies and further explanations.

5.          Minimum Qualifications of the Successful NPSA8

6.       The following documents shall be required from the applicants:

1. Personal CV or P11, indicating all past positions held and their main underlying functions, their durations (month/year), the qualifications, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate, and at least three (3) the most recent professional references of previous supervisors. References may also include peers.
2. A cover letter (maximum length: 1 page) indicating why the candidate considers him-/herself to be suitable for the position.
3. Managers may ask (ad hoc) for any other materials relevant to pre-assessing the relevance of their experience, such as reports, presentations, publications, campaigns or other materials.