Introduction
Established in 1951, IOM is a Related Organization of the United Nations and the leading UN agency in the field of migration. Working closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners, IOM promotes humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It saves lives and protects people on the move, drives solutions to displacement, and facilitates pathways for regular migration, while providing services and advice to governments and migrants.
IOM is committed to fostering a respectful, inclusive and supportive workplace where all employees can thrive professionally and feel valued. By creating such an environment, IOM aims to better harness the full potential of migration and strengthen its support to people on the move.
Applications are welcome from first- and second-tier candidates, particularly qualified female candidates as well as applications from the non-represented member countries of IOM. For all IOM vacancies, applications from qualified and eligible first-tier candidates are considered before those of qualified and eligible second-tier candidates in the selection process.
For the purpose of this vacancy, the following are considered first-tier candidates:
- Internal candidates
- Candidates from the following IOM Member States that are not represented among staff members in the Professional and higher categories: Bahamas, Barbados, Comoros, Congo (the), Cook Islands, Dominica, Federated States of Micronesia, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Holy See, Iceland, Israel, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Namibia, Nauru, Palau, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Seychelles, Solomon Islands, Suriname, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, Vanuatu
All external candidates, except candidates from non-represented member states of IOM.
Organizational Context and Scope
Under the direct supervision of the Regional Director (RD) for the Middle East and North Africa, and the technical guidance of the Institutional Risk Division (IRD) in Headquarters (HQ), the Regional Risk and Compliance Officer provides advice and support to the implementation of institutional policy related to risk identification, management, and treatment in Country Offices (COs) across the Region. Specifically, the Regional Risk and Compliance Officer provides oversight, internal control, and technical guidance to promote the integration of risk management into the Regional Office (RO) and COs operations and programmes. In close collaboration with the RO, Chiefs of Mission (CoMs), and Heads of Office (HoOs), the Regional Risk and Compliance Officer monitors and strengthens assessments of reputational, fiduciary, and other types of risk as they relate to strategic planning and subsequent decision-making at both the regional and country level.
1. Ensure and strengthen the integration of risk management with other oversight and control processes, including compliance, internal controls, and due diligence at the regional level.
2. Lead efforts to integrate risk management into RO and COs ' decision-making, through appropriate monitoring and oversight so that IOM is able to identify, evaluate, and treat key risks supporting COs operations as well as advising the RDs, and CoMs/HoOs.
3. Advise RO and COs units on Institutional Compliance Frameworks to strengthen operational and management oversight.
4. Strengthen and monitor assessments of reputational, fiduciary, and other related risks as part of strategic planning and decision-making processes at the RO and CO level.
5. Advise RO management, as well as CoMs/HoOs, on actions to be taken to enforce and strengthen accountabilities and compliance for robust, responsive, and transparent governance frameworks.
6. Support and enhance the RO and COs in fraud risk assessments, assessing allegations of fraud and root causes, with the aim of developing fraud risk treatment plans.
7. Assess and manage risks to the Regional Strategy and maintain a Risk Register at the RO level, and ensure that COs in the Region also assess, record, and manage risks.
8. Keep the IRD in HQ abreast of the status of key risks within the region through regular reporting on risk and control matters, ensuring the bottom-up flow of risk-related information emanates from COs.
9. Through the escalation of prevalent risks within the RO and to IRD in HQ, trigger early warning alerts to mitigate downside effects of risks on IOM’s Strategic Plan, and activate swift preventive or remedial action for risks escalated to the RO.
10. Ensure that Regional Thematic Units (RTUs) provide oversight and support to COs on the management of risks pertaining to their areas of thematic expertise, including at the project level, based on IOM’s Project Handbook and related guidance.
11. Support and provide substantive inputs and advice to COs, particularly smaller offices, with the drafting and development of risk treatment plans in coordination with the relevant technical and thematic units.
12. Monitor and report on the effectiveness of internal controls and risk treatment plans across the region and engage in the sharing of lessons learned from risks and performance issues with a view to continuous improvement.
13. Perform enhanced due diligence, including duty travel as needed, in high-risk settings according to contextual and operational requirements.
14. Ensure that delegated authorities within the Region are optimally managed and tracked; are aligned with accountabilities, Instructions (INs), the Delegation of Authority (DOA) Policy and approved DOA matrices; and are based on assessment of risks and opportunities, in coordination with the Change Management Division and IRD.
15. Track and advise on the implementation of oversight recommendations in the region, and build corresponding links to annual planning, reporting, and management exercises.
16. Lead RO oversight of the ERP’s Governance, Risk, and Compliance module, overseeing CO activities.
17. Perform any other duties as may be assigned.
Education
- Master’s degree in Risk Management, Corporate Governance, Business Administration, or a related field from an accredited academic institution with at least seven years of relevant professional experience; or,
- University degree in the above or related fields with at least nine years of relevant professional experience.
Experience
- Demonstrated experience in risk management, risk mitigation, crisis management, or corporate governance;
- Experience working in non-OECD countries related to humanitarian and development programmes is highly advantageous;
- Experience working in an international, inter-governmental, or non-governmental organization, the United Nations, or government; and,
- Experience in the design and implementation of capacity building or change management initiatives is advantageous.
Skills
- Ability to understand complex contexts and fast-changing migration and displacement dynamics, and ability to frame them in respect to institutional, reputational, fiduciary, and other types of risk;
- Excellent communication, negotiation, and engagement skills, particularly in response to working with administrative heads, project managers, and management support functions.
- Demonstrated ability to effectively lead and manage a diverse team;
- Excellent analytical skills combined with the ability to effectively summarize, present, and communicate findings;
- Demonstrated expertise in relevant standards and practices related to risk identification, risk management, and risk treatment planning; and,
- Proven agent of change or willingness to foster a culture of learning, risk management, and knowledge management.
Languages
For this position, fluency in English is required (oral and written).
Working knowledge of Arabic and another official UN language (Chinese, French, Russian, and Spanish) is an advantage.
Proficiency of language(s) required will be specifically evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments.
Required Competencies
Notes
Appointment will be subject to all clearances, including medical and security as well as accreditation, any residency or visa requirements. Vacancies close at 23:59 local time Geneva, Switzerland on the respective closing date. No late applications will be accepted.
IOM has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and IOM, including sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and any forms of discrimination. IOM is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children.
IOM conducts reference checks and background verification, including through system wide databases such as ClearCheck, to help ensure that candidates have no record of misconduct, including on sexual harassment, sexual exploitation and abuse, or fraud. Candidates are expected to uphold these standards and principles at all times.
IOM does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process—whether for application, interview, processing, training, or otherwise—and does not request any information related to bank accounts.