Humanitarian Affairs Officer (Risk Management and Compliance)

Organizational Context

The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), part of the UN Secretariat, coordinates humanitarian actors for effective emergency response. This role is within the Crisis Response Division in Caracas, Venezuela, reporting to the Head of the Humanitarian Finance Section. The position may involve supervising staff.

Job Purpose

The Humanitarian Affairs Officer (Risk Management and Compliance) is responsible for monitoring and analyzing humanitarian developments impacting the Humanitarian Financing Unit (HFU). This role involves preparing studies, managing responses to audits and evaluations, and establishing stakeholder contacts to detect compliance issues. The officer will provide risk management and compliance training to partners, contribute to reports on pooled fund operations, and serve as the primary focal point for monitoring and compliance within the HFU. The position also involves advising on policy, participating in relevant work groups, supporting partner compliance with global requirements, leading the eligibility process, overseeing responses to non-compliance, and providing technical capacity to address misconduct incidents. Guidance and supervision of junior staff may also be required.

Responsibilities

Monitor, analyze, and report on humanitarian developments affecting the Humanitarian Financing Unit (HFU). Prepare studies on humanitarian relief issues and manage follow-up actions for audits and evaluations of Country-Based Humanitarian Pooled Funds. Establish and maintain stakeholder contacts to identify compliance issues in HFU-funded projects and verify control mechanisms. Provide risk management and compliance training to implementing partners. Prepare reports, documents, and communications related to risk management and compliance for pooled funds. Act as the main point of contact for HFU monitoring, risk management, and compliance, ensuring adherence to global guidelines. Advise the HFU on risk and compliance policy matters. Participate in work groups and consultations on humanitarian relief. Support and monitor partner compliance with accountability and risk management policies, lead the eligibility process, and manage responses to non-compliance. Provide technical support for incidents of misconduct, including financial misconduct and sexual exploitation/abuse. Supervise junior staff as needed.

Work Experience

A minimum of five years of progressive experience in humanitarian affairs, emergency preparedness, crisis management, or related fields is required. Experience in compliance and risk management is also mandatory. Experience in addressing fraud or sexual exploitation and abuse incidents is desirable, as is experience within the UN system or a comparable international organization, particularly in the Latin America region.

Skills

Professionalism, analytical capacity, problem-solving, research, ability to work under pressure, planning and organizing, accountability, risk management, compliance, monitoring, reporting, communication, training, and supervision.

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