Posting Title: RISK AND RESILIENCE OFFICER, P4
Job Code Title: RISK OFFICER
Department/Office: Economic Commission for Africa
Duty Station: ADDIS ABABA
Posting Period: 04 May 2020 – 02 June 2020
Job Opening Number: 20-Investment Management-ECA-135104-R-Addis Ababa (O)
United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity
Organisational Setting and Reporting
ECA’s mission is to deliver ideas and actions for an empowered and transformed Africa; informed by the 2030 Agenda and Agenda 2063.
The mission will be guided by ECA’s five new strategic directions which are: Advancing ECA’s position as a premier knowledge institution that builds on its unique position and privilege to bring global solutions to the continent’s problems and take local solution to the continent; Developing macroeconomic and structural policy options to accelerate economic diversification and job creation; Designing and implementing innovative financing models for infrastructure, and for human, physical and social assets for a transforming Africa; Contributing solutions to regional and transboundary challenges, with a focus on peace security and social inclusion as an important development nexus; Advocating Africa’s position at the global level and developing regional responses as a contribution to global governance issues.
This position is located in the Office of the Director, Division of Administration (DoA) in Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) in Addis Ababa. The Risk and Resilience Officer will report directly to the Director, DoA on implementation of the UN Organizational Resilience Management System (ORMS) at ECA, including business continuity and audit-related functions, and will have a dual reporting line to the directors of DoA and SPORD on risk management. The Risk and Resilience Officer will facilitate identifying risks that impact the delivery of mandates and strategic objectives; act as a principal advisor to senior management through DoA on risk management and compliance matters; ensure risk management and internal control measures are integrated into all aspects of strategic and operational planning and day-to-day operations; manage audit response and compliance guidance and training, facilitate implementing the ORMS and Enterprise Risk Management at ECA in line with UN frameworks.
Responsibilities
Within delegated authority, the Risk and Resilience Officer will be responsible for: Organizational Resilience Management System (ORMS) and Business Continuity Management (BCM)
- Implements ORMS and BCM as per policies and frameworks issued by UN Headquarters, details ECA policies and establishes governance structures;
Conducts a comprehensive risk assessment for business continuity;
Delivers plans to ensure coverage for core ORMS elements, to include; (a) Crisis management decision making and operations coordination framework; b) security support and response; c) crisis communications; d) mass casualty incident response; e) IT disaster recovery; f) business continuity; and g) support to staff, survivors and their families;
Works with stakeholders to develop response and recovery plans and scenarios with the goal of achieving flexible and coordinated responses that reflect prevailing circumstances;
Mainstreams ORMS requirements into day-to-day work;
Establishes necessary system of maintenance and reviews, including readiness exercises;
Provide training and authoritative advice on ORMS and BCM.
Audit and compliance
Acts as the primary contact for DOA on all matters related to the activities of oversight bodies (Board of Auditors, Office of Internal Oversight Services and Joint Inspection Unit);
Conducts audit compliance activities for DoA including analyzing reports and recommendations of oversight bodies and boards of inquiry. Provides authoritative advice to the Director, DoA on compliance and progress, also taking into consideration UN policy, operations and programme mandates, cost-benefit analysis, and competing priorities;
Provides advise on mitigation measures if report recommendations are to be rejected;
Ensures that accepted recommendations are implemented, and that sufficient evidence is provided to oversight bodies for closure of the recommendations. Appraises adequacy of follow-up actions taken in respect to recommendations and provides regular updates to Director, DoA;
Incorporates audit compliance into risk registers;
Briefs Senior Management on risk management and compliance matters; prepares and submits required reports to UN headquarters, in line with stated requirements.
Risk Management
Participates in implementing and maintaining compliance with the UN ERM framework at ECA, including related planning documents and budget proposals, ensuring that a risk-based approach is dully factored therein;
Conducts research and collates and disseminates data on risks related to all aspects of ECA mandates and operations. Ensures that data is maintained for analysis and reporting;
Coordinates identification of risks to delivery of ECA mandates and strategic objectives;
Analyzes and evaluates risks in cooperation with ECA stakeholders;
Develops, coordinates reviews and approvals and maintains ECA risk registers, facilitates reviews and development of risk treatment plans; coordinates for this purpose with ECA stakeholders and the Board of Auditors (BoA);
Provides training and authoritative advice on related policy, guidance and methodology at ECA and collaborates with stakeholders to promote risk ownership, accountability and improved risk management;
Acts as the Secretary of ECA’s Risk Management Committee, facilitates the establishment and coordinates the activities of the Committee ensuring that identified risks are recorded, assessed and prioritized, with appropriate actions taken;
Coordinates the activities of risk management focal points appointed by Directors, Sub-Regional Offices (SROs) and the African Institute for Economic Development and Planning (IDEP);
Monitors ECA management of risks, coordinates for this purpose with best practices/knowledge management to identify and disseminate lessons learned and best practices.
Performs other related duties as requested by Director, DoA.
Competencies
Professionalism: Knowledge and understanding of risk management theories and related concepts and approaches, crisis management, organizational resilience and business continuity planning. Experience in implementing risk management models and measures, organizational resilience management and business continuity plans. Ability to identify issues, analyze and participate in the resolution of issues. Ability to conduct data collection using various methods. Conceptual analytical and evaluative skills to conduct independent research and analysis, including familiarity with and experience using various research sources, including internet sources and databases. Ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, plan work and manage conflicting priorities. 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 challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and in ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. Ability to self-start and automate work, delivering results without major supervision.
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.
Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honors commitments; delivers outputs within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.
Education
Advanced university degree in emergency management, business continuity, risk management, business or public Administration. A relevant first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree. Certifications are required in one of the following areas: ERM and ORMS; business continuity; emergency preparedness and/or disaster recovery (ISO 22301 Certified Lead Implementer, DRII CBCP, BCI MBCI).
Work Experience
A minimum of seven (7) years of work experience is required covering both enterprise risk management and business continuity related to large-scale organizations such as the UN.
Proven experience is required in developing, implementing and managing plans including, but not limited to risk management, crisis management, physical security support and response, crisis communications and business continuity.
Experience in working in a UN system organization is desirable
Languages
Fluency in English is required; knowledge of French is desirable. Knowledge of another United Nations official language is an advantage. For the position advertised, fluency in oral and written English is required.
Assessment
Qualified applicants may be evaluated through a competency-based interview and/or other assessment methods.
Special Notice
Staff members are subject to the authority and assignment of the Secretary-General. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures.
The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.
An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential.
For this position, applicants from the following Member States, which are unrepresented or underrepresented in the UN Secretariat as of 30 November 2019, are strongly encouraged to apply: Afghanistan, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahrain, Belize, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, Central African Republic, China, Comoros, Cuba, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Islamic Republic of Iran, Japan, Kiribati, Kuwait, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Monaco, Mozambique, Nauru, Norway, Oman, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Solomon Islands, South Sudan, Suriname, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Vanuatu, Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.
United Nations Considerations
According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations 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. The term ‘sexual exploitation’ means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term ‘sexual abuse’ means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term ‘sexual harassment’ means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment.
Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking 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 DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.
More Information
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