Risk & Compliance Specialist
Organizational Context
UNICEF Ethiopia operates within a challenging context, implementing a 5-year country program (2020-2025) aligned with the UNSDCF to strengthen national systems for data collection, analysis, and monitoring. Ethiopia, a populous nation in the Horn of Africa, faces significant development challenges including poverty, internal conflicts, and vulnerability to climate change, impacting child well-being. The country program, with a budget of US$806.5 million, covers diverse sectors and operates through a country office in Addis Ababa and multiple field offices.
Job Purpose
This role supports UNICEF Ethiopia's Country Programme by strengthening risk and compliance management across its programme and operations units, including field offices. The National UN Volunteer Expert will provide essential support to ECO’s Field Operations, Programme, and Operations. Key contributions include enhancing risk management strategies, ensuring compliance with organizational rules and regulations, supporting fraud risk management, and conducting oversight activities. The position also involves creating awareness and building capacity among staff regarding risk and compliance functions, ultimately contributing to the effective and efficient delivery of UNICEF's mandate in a complex environment.
Responsibilities
The Risk & Compliance Specialist will support the office in its annual risk assessment process, monitoring risk mitigation action plans, and embedding risk management into project proposals and decision-making. Responsibilities include reviewing systems, procedures, and processes for compliance with organizational rules, and strengthening internal controls to prevent and report non-compliance. The role involves supporting the preparation of the annual Statement of Internal Control (SIC), reviewing internal work processes for clear accountabilities, and assisting with internal and external audits, including follow-up on recommendations. Additionally, the specialist will support fraud risk management by collecting evidence for investigations, implementing the global anti-fraud strategy, and alerting management to fraudulent or unethical behaviors. Capacity building through training and awareness creation on key policies like PSEA, Fraud, and Ethics is also a key function. Support may extend to the Regional Office for reviews in other countries.
Work Experience
A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible professional experience in risk and compliance, internal audit, or a closely related field is required. Experience in financial management, including developing and implementing financial control systems, enterprise risk management (ERM), audits, and internal control frameworks, is highly desirable. Experience with international organizations, NGOs, or the UN system is an asset. Proven ability to conduct peer reviews, audits/investigations, and develop response plans is necessary.
Skills
Key competencies include collaboration, drive for results, partnership building, accountability, adaptability, flexibility, creativity, and professionalism. Technical skills and expertise areas mentioned include Administration, Information Technology and Telecommunications, Economics, Poverty Reduction, and Livelihoods. Strong communication and interpersonal skills, emotional intelligence, and the ability to manage complexity and change are also important.