Head of Risk Management Unit, Nairobi

Head of Risk Management Unit, Nairobi

Closing Date: Monday, 17 February 2014

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Organization

UNOPS - United Nations Office for Project Services

Country

Kenya

City

Nairobi, Kenya

Office

UNOPS Nairobi

UNOPS mission is to expand the capacity of the UN system and its partners to implement peace building, humanitarian and development operations that matter for people in need. Working in some of the world's most challenging environments, UNOPS vision is to always satisfy partners with management services that meet world-class standards of quality, speed and cost effectiveness. By assisting UN organizations, international financial institutions, governments and other development partners, UNOPS makes significant, tangible contributions to results on the ground. UNOPS employs more than 6000 personnel and on behalf of its partners creates thousands more work opportunities in local communities. With its headquarters in Copenhagen, Denmark, a network of five regional offices and a further 20 operations and project centres, UNOPS oversees activities in more than 80 countries. UNOPS is committed to achieving a truly diverse workforce.
Background Information - Kenya UNOPS Nairobi Operational Hub (NAOH), located in Nairobi, Kenya, spans across East Africa, covering Kenya,Somalia, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi and Eritrea. The Office is comprised of 150 personnel with the right mix of critical skills needed for effective services delivery.
NAOH implements projects in infrastructure, procurement, environment, health, grants management, financial management, human resources and advisory services. There are also several regional environmental projects that span across Africa and parts of Asia that are being managed by NAOH project managers.
Background Information - Job-specific
Somalia provides a unique challenge for international assistance. The country requires the concurrent and continual delivery of a complex mix of relief, recovery, and development interventions in a deeply insecure, unpredictable and high-risk operating environment. In recent years, increased volumes of UN assistance, particularly humanitarian aid, has increased the UN's reputation and programme delivery risks. Questions have also been raised on the possible exploitation of that assistance.
To address some of these challenges, the UN Somalia Risk Management Unit (RMU) was established to support all United Nations entities working in Somalia (UNCT Somalia), as well as partners and donors. This Unit works within the Office of the Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator (RC/HC), which ensures independence and impartiality.
The RMU has made considerable progress in advancing the risk management agenda for the UNCT Somalia. In July 2012 and June 2013 the Monitoring Group Report on Somalia and Eritrea noted the work of the RMU as a best practice. Consequently, the RMU is looking for a highly motivated individual who can positively lead and contribute to the work of the team, as well as support the humanitarian and development operations of the United Nations.
The objective of this position is to support the RC/HC and the UNCT Somalia through the management of the RMU. The Head of Risk Management Unit will support the Country Team by working in close cooperation with Heads of Agencies, operational and programme staff, risk management focal points as well as partners and donors to ensure a risk management environment is cultivated to address Contextual, Programmatic and Institutional risk. The Head of Risk Management Unit will work under the supervision of the Office of the Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator (RC/HC). The work of the Head of Risk Management Unit will result in the effective management of the RMU, which represents industry best practice, and enables the effective management of risks in Somalia; and improve the internal capacity for risk management and enhance information sharing between all UN Agencies as well as partners (INGOs) and donors.
Functional ResponsibilitiesSummary of Key Functions:

• To manage the RMU and ensure it continues to build internal risk management capacity for all UNCT agencies, funds and programmes. This includes supporting the risk information management platform, providing training, reporting, practical guidance, leadership as well as implementation advice to ensure the continual internal risk management capacity building for all UNCT agencies, funds and programmes. This includes providing training, reporting, monitoring support, investigations support, practical guidance as well as implementation advice.
• To provide leadership and reporting on strategic issues and trends related to risk management in the Somalia context, and to share lessons across the UN and with national and international partners.
• To work in collaboration with other Risk Management Units to facilitate the implementation and development of the Enterprise Risk Management Framework based upon ISO31000 to ensure consistency, industry best practice, and linkage, which will enhance the collective UN risk management agenda.
• To supervise a team of experts engaged in the analysis of strategic and operational risk management issues, trends and lessons.
• To ensure the development of a comprehensive risk management framework that supports all stakeholders including the UNCT Somalia, INGOs as well as donors.
• To perform any other task related to risk management as assigned by the RC/HC.

Below are some of the main functional responsibilities are.
1. To manage the RMU and to ensure it continues to build internal risk management capacity for all UNCT agencies, funds and programmes. This includes supporting the risk information management platform, providing training, reporting, practical guidance, leadership as well as implementation advice:

• Advocate for common approaches to risk management that enhances and strengthens planning and programming amongst the UNCT, INGOs and donors, while recognizing and respecting the differing programmatic requirements.
• To support the continual development of the Contractor Information Management System.
• Facilitate risk management training for programme and operational staff of all agencies, funds and programmes.

2. To provide leadership and reporting on strategic issues and trends related to risk management in the Somalia context:

• Provide strategic guidance and advice to the UNCT on a range of risk management issues.
• Assessment and analysis of the operating environment in Somalia, keeping abreast of the evolving situation with regards to Contextual, Programmatic and Institutional risk.
• Remain current on evolving risk management standards and leading risk management practices.
• Participate in relevant knowledge networks and document lessons learned and best practices.

3. To work in collaboration with other like Risk Management Units to facilitate the implementation and development of the Enterprise Risk Management Framework based upon ISO31000 to ensure consistency, industry best practice, and linkage, which will enhance the collective UN risk management agenda:

• Ensure consistency in methodology, tools and framework, and collaborate on the development of new tools and processes for the benefit of the Risk Management Unit(s).
• Ensure guidance, linkage and coordination between all established Risk Management Units.
• Ensure that lessons learn in the Somalia context are shared with all other like Risk Management Units that may be established.

4. To ensure the development of a comprehensive risk management framework that supports all stakeholders including the UNCT Somalia, INGOs as well as donors:

• Facilitate the establishment of a network of Risk Management Focal Points within the agencies, funds and programmes as well as INGO and donor community to ensure cooperation, collaboration and enhance information sharing.
• Improve operational knowledge, communication and ensure improved accountability and transparency of programming.

CompetenciesCorporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN's values and ethical standards;
• Advocates and promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UN;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Treats all people fairly without favouritism.

Functional Competencies:

• Comprehensive knowledge of the ISO31000 Enterprise Risk Management Standard;
• Demonstrable experience in project management, strategic, business planning and reporting;
• Knowledge and experience managing risk in an international environment;
• Demonstrates understanding of UN systems, procedures and operational activities for humanitarian, recovery and development;
• Excellent analytical and written ability as well as strong interpersonal and oral communication skills.

Knowledge and Learning Management:

• Shares knowledge and experience from within and outside the UN Country Team to inform the broader strategy;
• Encourages information sharing and collaboration to ensure effective implementation of programmes;
• Experience in problem solving and decision making in a fast-paced environment adopting a flexible and proactive approach.

Coordination Effectiveness:

• Ability to build and sustain effective and robust partnerships with UN Agencies and key stakeholders, as well as advocate effectively and sensitively;
• Experience in working closely with colleagues and counterparts of different nationalities and religions in challenging operational and living conditions.

Management and Leadership:

• Leads teams effectively and demonstrates excellent conflict resolution skills;
• Establishes priorities for self and other members of the team, and effectively monitors performance against development and other objectives;
• Demonstrates excellent time management skills as well as use of resources;
• Ensures a focus on impact and results;
• In providing advice, has the capacity to gather comprehensive information on complex problems or situations, evaluate the information accurately and identifies key issues required to resolve problems;
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
• Demonstrates excellent organizational and strong interpersonal skills as well as the ability to work independently as well as within a team;
• Creates networks and promotes initiatives with partner agencies and organisations
• Responds positively to critical feedback and differing points of view.
• Understands the principles of information security and management and acts with discretion and integrity at all times.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

• Advanced degree in International Relations, Political Science, Development, Management, Business Administration or a related subject. Relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree.
• 10 years of progressively responsible, job related experience.
• A minimum of 10 years professional work experience in risk analysis, programme management, operations support or a similar position in complex environments.
• Proven experience managing and leading teams in a complex and multi-agency environment.
• Knowledge of Risk challenges as well as existing practices and expectations by the United Nations, donors and partners.
• Advanced analytical and/or investigative skills and strategic planning.
• Excellent negotiation skills.
• Solid experience in web-based information management systems.
• Experience in training preferred.
• Knowledge and experience of United Nations Humanitarian and Development Operations and programming in Somalia preferred.
• Fluency in English, both written and oral communication skills.

Contract type, level and duration
Contract type:Fixed Term Appointment (FTA) Contract level: P5 equivalent to ICS levelICS-12 Duty Station: Nairobi, Kenya with eventual relocation to Mogadishu, Somalia Contract duration: 12 months initial [renewable thereafter subject to availability of funds and on the basis of satisfactory performance] For more details about United Nations staff contracts, please follow this link: http://www.unops.org/english/whoweneed/contract-types/Pages/United-Nations-staff-contracts.aspx
Additional Considerations

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time (CET)
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• For staff positions UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns. Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

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