Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Risk Management and Compliance Officer will be responsible for the following duties: 1) Oversight and Audit: • Oversees the preparation and implementation of the annual work plan of the Risk Management and Compliance Unit to ensure work priorities and objectives, considering 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 (BOA), United Nations Board of Inquiry (BOI), Joint Inspection Unit (JIU), Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS), and the Audit Response Unit/DOS). Oversees the findings and recommendations of the oversight bodies to identify material weaknesses and reportable conditions; • Facilitates the work of oversight bodies by coordinating with the relevant stakeholders in MINURSO and ensures that any recommendations are addressed, and all stakeholders are regularly updated. • Documents, evaluates, and tests systems and controls to determine their adequacy and effectiveness to ensure (i) compliance with policies and procedures, (ii) accomplishment of management’s objectives, (iii) reliability and integrity of information, (iv) economic use of resources, and (v) safeguarding of assets. • Facilitates the field visits of the oversight bodies and the Audit Response Unit/DOS. 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 the course of 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, in liaison with the relevant section; • 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 Chief of Mission Support and the Head of Mission on whether to accept or reject recommendations considering, 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, BOI, 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 management letters of representation from the Chief of Mission Support. 2) Risk management: • Acts as the Secretariat of the Risk Management Committee (RMC) of MINURSO; • Ensures the alignment of risk management with internal control measures; • Undertakes research on existing guidance and best practices materials for risk management; • Works closely with other Heads of Pillars and Chiefs of Sections under Mission Support, as well as with Substantive and Military components as appropriate, 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; • Reviews the regular ‘Risk Register’ of the Mission 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. 3) Internal Controls: • Ensures that internal controls of MINURSO are updated and followed. • Assists in translating new Administrative Instructions into Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the Sections and Units, as well as maintaining MINURSO TORs and Process Guides in coordination with the relevant components, pillars, sections and units. • Undertakes random reviews of transactions to ensure their compliance with the relevant rules and regulations. 4) Accountability: • Assists in administering the MINURSO accountability framework to ensure that staff receives the required designations and delegations in a timely manner. • Collects and analyzes data to identify trends or patterns and provide insights through graphs, charts, tables and reports using data visualization methods to enable data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting. • Ensures that requirements and background information used for data analysis are documented. • Perform other duties as required.

Competencies

• Professionalism – The ability to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management – Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects 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. • Client Orientation – Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; Identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; Monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; Meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.

Education

High school diploma is required. A first-level degree (Bachelor’s degree) in business administration, finance, accounting, information technology, international law, or related field will reduce the number of years of experience to five years.

Job – Specific Qualification

Successful completion of both degree and non-degree programs in data analytics, business analytics or data science programs is desirable

Work Experience

A minimum of ten (10) years of responsible experience is required in Risk Management, audit, finance, accounting, law (including legal analysis, research, and writing) or related area, including work at the international level. The minimum years of experience is reduced to 5 years for candidates who possess a first level University Degree (Bachelor’s degree). Experience in audit or board of inquiry processes is required. At least two (2) years- experience in an international organization is desirable. Experience in translating new Administrative Instructions into Standard Operating Procedures is desirable. Two (2) years or more of experience in data analytics or related area is desirable.

Languages

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