Risk & Compliance Specialist

Organizational Context

UNICEF Ethiopia operates under a 5-year country program (2020-2025) aligned with the UNSDCF, focusing on strengthening national systems for data, monitoring, and equity. Ethiopia, a populous East African nation, faces significant development challenges including poverty, internal conflicts, and vulnerability to climate change, impacting child well-being. The UNICEF Country Office in Addis Ababa, with multiple field offices, implements programs in health, nutrition, education, child protection, WASH, and more, requiring robust risk and compliance management to support its operations and emergency response efforts.

Job Purpose

This role supports UNICEF Ethiopia's Country Programme by strengthening risk and compliance management across programme and operations units, including field offices. The National UN Volunteer Expert will provide essential support in areas such as annual risk assessments, monitoring mitigation plans, and embedding risk management in project proposals and decision-making. The position also focuses on ensuring compliance with organizational rules, strengthening internal controls, and supporting audit preparedness and follow-up. Additionally, the role contributes to fraud risk management by assisting in investigations and implementing anti-fraud strategies, while also supporting capacity building and awareness creation on key policies like PSEA, fraud, and ethics.

Responsibilities

The Risk & Compliance Specialist will support the office in its annual risk assessment process, monitoring the reliability of reports and their compliance with regulations, and tracking risk mitigation action plans. They will assist in office peer reviews and ensure risk management is integrated into project proposals and management decisions. The role involves reviewing office systems and procedures for compliance, strengthening internal controls to prevent and report non-compliance, and supporting the preparation of the annual Statement of Internal Control. The Specialist will review internal work processes to clarify accountabilities and support preparedness for internal and external audits, ensuring follow-up on recommendations. Responsibilities also include supporting fraud risk management by assisting in investigations, implementing the anti-fraud strategy, and alerting management to fraudulent or unethical behaviors. Furthermore, the role will contribute to capacity building by supporting training plans and ensuring staff awareness of key UNICEF policies.

Work Experience

A minimum of seven years of progressive professional experience in risk and compliance, internal audit, or a 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, along with strong communication and interpersonal skills for diverse environments, 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. The role requires strong communication and interpersonal skills, emotional intelligence, and the ability to manage complexity and change.

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