Compliance Specialist - Consultant - CST II

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

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ABOUT WFP

The World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity, for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.

At WFP, people are at the heart of everything we do and the vision of the future WFP workforce is one of diverse, committed, skilled, and high performing teams, selected on merit, operating in a healthy and inclusive work environment, living WFP's values (Integrity, Collaboration, Commitment, Humanity, and Inclusion) and working with partners to save and change the lives of those WFP serves.

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WHY JOIN WFP? 

• WFP is a 2020 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate.

• WFP offers a highly inclusive, diverse, and multicultural working environment.

• WFP invests in the personal & professional development of its employees through a range of training, accreditation, coaching, mentorship, and other programs as well as through internal mobility opportunities.

• A career path in WFP provides an exciting opportunity to work across the various country, regional and global offices around the world, and with passionate colleagues who work tirelessly to ensure that effective humanitarian assistance reaches millions of people across the globe.

• We offer an attractive compensation package (please refer to the Terms and Conditions section of this vacancy announcement).

JOB TITLE: Compliance Specialist

TYPE OF CONTRACT: Consultancy Contract - CST II

UNIT/DIVISION: Palestine Country Office, Risk Management Unit

DUTY STATION (City, Country): East Jerusalem, Palestine

DURATION: 6 months

REPORTING LINE: Head of Risk Management Unit (Risk Officer)

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT:

This job is located at the WFP Palestine Country Office based in East Jerusalem. The job holder will be part of the Palestine Country Office Risk Management Function, responsible for promoting and embedding risk management initiatives, including the proactive strengthening of internal controls, in WFP’s Palestine country operation spanning activities in East Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza. The job holder will report to the Head of the Country Office Risk Management Function. Functional guidance, support and supervision is provided by the regional Risk Advisor and the Risk Management Division in Headquarters.

PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT:

Provide support in the establishment and enhancement of risk management activities; contribute to the application of controls and compliance with policies and procedures and to the overall effectiveness of operations and optimization of WFP resources.

The Compliance Specialist contributes to the Risk Unit’s role in ensuring that the Country Office adheres to internal policies, rules and regulations, donor conditions, and local/international legal frameworks, as applicable. The role involves monitoring, reporting, and providing advisory support to mitigate compliance risks and enhance accountability across WFP’s Palestine operation.

The Risk Management Unit in Palestine aspires to be a supportive partner and advisory capacity for all teams in the Country Office to help them enhance their performance through managing risks systematically and effectively. The unit pursues an integrated approach to risk management and assurance that facilitates the country office teams to design and implement resilient and successful programmes. This is achieved by monitoring, reviewing, and challenging the risk management and internal control processes of the Country Office. The Compliance Specialist will play an integral role in this process by producing compliance assessments and developing recommendations for improved risk management. The guiding objective is to enable the teams to make most of their resources in terms of translating them into maximum impact for the people WFP serves.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive, within delegated authority):

1. Develop an internal framework for risk-based compliance reviews across the CO’s activities.

2. Efficiently plan and undertake compliance review assignments in accordance with the internal framework with the objective of contributing to the evaluation of risk management and internal control systems of the Country Office units, and further analysis as assigned by the supervisor.

3. Contribute to management accountability across functional units, including through the preparation of comprehensive reports summarizing the status of compliance with internal controls, key oversight themes, and using risk information to highlight areas out of risk appetite and contribute ideas on required actions in areas of risk and compliance vulnerability. Formulate recommended actions required from the business units to address shortcomings identified, strengthen internal controls and improve business processes.

4. Collect information/training needs and contribute to the preparation of training programmes or information sessions for colleagues and partners to enhance understanding of risk management and compliance with WFP (and other relevant) policies, rules, regulations and procedures. When possible, the job holder is expected to regularly engage with and travel to WFP Palestine’s area and field offices to strengthen internal control capacity. Overall, the job holder is expected to promote knowledge sharing withing the office and provide on-the-job training to other staff.

5. Provide advice to the CO management on enhancing the existing processes on risk management and internal control systems with clear accountabilities, including performance and risk management systems, monitoring and oversight processes, and techniques and tools to support their implementation.

6. Using the Three Lines Model, participate in the development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) by First Line colleagues for managing the risk and accountability process, including criteria for conducting risk and accountability missions, training materials and modules, etc., to minimize risk to the organization.

7. Support managers to prepare and plan for Internal Audit and External Audit, collect essential documents, organize briefing meetings and follow-up on recommendations. Proactively follow up on implementation of audit recommendations and make initial evaluation of responses and actions taken by heads of unit.

8. Support the promotion and dissemination of the 2021 Revised Anti-Fraud and Anti-Corruption (AFAC) Policy and WFP’s adherence to Zero Tolerance for Inaction, including assisting managers in their fraud risk assessments by collecting and analysing data on fraud incidents, fraud risk metrics, and fraud risk appetite, supporting training in AFAC standards. Provide support to meet related incident management requirements, including concerning documentation and reporting of relevant incidents.

9. Fulfil a leadership role regarding the Country Office’s third-party risk management efforts, specifically the provision of oversight of WFP’s cooperating and implementing partners and other key contractors, specifically concerning supply chain, as well as WFP’s due diligence processes vis-à-vis these third parties.

10. Any other duties within the field of risk management and compliance as assigned.

DESIRED EXPERIENCES FOR ENTRY INTO THE ROLE:

• Knowledge of governance, organizational structures, strategy, and major initiatives of international organizations.

• At least 5 years of relevant experience in risk management, compliance, audit, finance and accounting, programme/project management or related fields.

• Has conducted compliance monitoring and reporting activities, has knowledge of results hierarchy, performance metrics and measurement.

• Has participated in risk analysis and risk mitigation strategies development and/or implementation , specifically in the area of resource management.

• Has participated in conversations with various functional teams on impact, timing or planning initiatives, using analytical, evaluative, and problem-solving skills as well as resourcefulness, initiative, good judgement, tact and diplomacy.

• Has contributed to risk management and compliance activities, including assessing, and recommending effective internal controls and mitigation actions, preferably in organizations that use modern enterprise risk management, internal control and auditing frameworks, techniques, and systems.

• Has led capacity development initiatives for staff and/or partners.

• Demonstrated familiarity with WFP’s corporate resource and assistance activity management systems, specifically WINGS, LESS, COMET, SCOPE, PIT, DAT, Building Blocks, and related systems is desired. 

Expected Knowledge & Skills:

• Knowledge of auditing standards, methodologies and practices including applicable financial rules and procedures.

• Demonstrated practical use of risk review, auditing and compliance assessment techniques including familiarity with electronic sources and databases.

• Knowledge of how to collect information, systemize, analyse and draw conclusions.

• Business acumen.

• Strong analytical and time management skills.

• Solid oral and written communication skills.

STANDARD MINIMUM ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS:

Education: Advanced University degree in the fields of audit, risk management, business/public administration, finance, accounting, or other relevant field, or First University degree with additional years of relevant work experience and/or training/courses in audit, performance and risk management or other related fields. Completed certification as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Chartered Accountant (CCA), Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) or equivalent is desired (or proven internal audit experience).

Language: Fluency (level C) in English language. Intermediate knowledge (level B) of a second official UN language is desirable.

WFP LEADERSHIP FRAMEWORK

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Click here to access WFP Leadership Framework

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION

WFP is committed to supporting individuals with disabilities by providing reasonable accommodations throughout the recruitment process. If you require a reasonable accommodation, please contact:  global.inclusion@wfp.org

NO FEE DISCLAIMER

The United Nations does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web.

REMINDERS BEFORE YOU SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION

• We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete, and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, language skills and UN Grade (if applicable).

• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application.

• Please make sure you upload your professional CV in the English language

• Kindly note the only documents you will need to submit at this time are your CV and Cover Letter

• Additional documents such as passport, recommendation letters, academic certificates, etc. may potentially be requested at a future time

• Please contact us at global.hrerecruitment@wfp.org in case you face any challenges with submitting your application

• Only shortlisted candidates will be notified

All employment decisions are made on the basis of organizational needs, job requirements, merit, and individual qualifications. WFP is committed to providing an inclusive work environment free of sexual exploitation and abuse, all forms of discrimination, any kind of harassment, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. Therefore, all selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

No appointment under any kind of contract will be offered to members of the UN Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), International Civil Service Commission (ICSC), FAO Finance Committee, WFP External Auditor, WFP Audit Committee, Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) and other similar bodies within the United Nations system with oversight responsibilities over WFP, both during their service and within three years of ceasing that service.