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.
Internal and external candidates will be considered for this vacancy.
For the purposes of this vacancy, internal candidates are defined as staff members holding a regular, fixed-term or short-term graded or ungraded contract, including Junior Professional Officers (JPOs), UN Volunteers with at least twelve (12) months of continuous service in IOM, staff on Special Leave Without Pay (SLWOP), and staff members on secondment/loan released by the Organization, unless otherwise specified in their contract. Staff members holding a regular, fixed-term or short-term graded contract will not retain their contract type if appointed to an ungraded position.
Organizational Context and Scope
Under direct supervision of the Chief of Mission (COM), in close collaboration with the Head Resources Management Officer and the Head of Programs (HoP) in IOM Costa Rica, supported with functional guidance from the Regional Risk and Compliance Officer (RO AMCA), Institutional Risk Division at Headquarters (HQ), the Risk Management and Compliance Officer will contribute substantially to the development and implementation of risk management and compliance systems and practices, contribute to internal control strengthening, and ensure adherence to financial regulations through effective management, accurate reporting, and transparent use of resources in IOM Costa Rica.
Risk Management
- Coordinate the regular identification of risks, updating of risk registers and monitor the implementation of risk treatment plans.
Support management in embedding risk management into planning, resource allocation, and decision-making, in coordination with all relevant units.
- Collect and prepare risk information for internal analysis to support decision-making.
- Work closely with Programme Managers and RMU to ensure that all activities of all projects include relevant compliance related information, covering all relevant risk and controls, etc.
Compliance
- Monitor compliance of operations (across all management and implementation functions – mission, program, RMU) with IOM rules, regulations and policies, corporate operational strategies, and expected results; review transactions and/or procedures and flag any inconsistencies, patterns or vulnerabilities, to the CoM, Head of Programs (HoP) and Head Resources Management Officer (HRMO).
- Monitor the use of IOM resources for conformity with approved strategic/project plans, IOM rules and regulations, and donor agreements, ensuring proper documentation and verification.
- In coordination with the HoP and HRMO, contribute to the implementation of proper planning, expenditure tracking, and verification of financial transactions, including extra-budgetary income, in accordance with IOM rules and regulations.
- Develop and improve compliance processes and practices to maintain an effective internal control environment.
- Contribute to strengthening internal controls by reviewing documentation and control mechanisms for the selection, monitoring, and verification of vendors, consultants, third party contractors, implementing partners, and grantees.
- Contribute to the development of a financial record-keeping practices that ensures the organization and accessibility of documentation.
- Contribute to preparing for and responding to internal and external audits and follow up on the implementation of audit recommendations.
- Analyze and interpret policies of IOM and donors to generate solutions to complex issues, in coordination with the Head Resource Management Officer and Head of Programs.
General
- Prepare and deliver training sessions to build capacity on risk management and compliance topics.
- Travel on short notice within the country to support compliance and risk-related activities.
Perform such other duties as may be assigned.
Education
- Master’s degree in Business/Public Administration, Finance, Accounting, Audit, Compliance, or a related field from an accredited academic institution with five years of relevant professional experience; or,
- University degree in the above fields with seven years of relevant professional experience.
- Professional certification as Chartered Accountant (CA) or Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), Certified Risk Management Assurance (CRMA) or Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) is an advantage.
Experience
- Exposure to and experience in UN or humanitarian field operations and emergencies in various geographical locations and multiple functional areas;
- Experience in monitoring and evaluation and/or audit an advantage; and,
Working experience in complex environment.
Skills
- Knowledge of IOM accounting systems, software and procedures a distinct advantage;
- Knowledge of IOM/UN mandate, field operations, organizational structure, and policies & procedures;
- Personal commitment, maturity of judgment, ability to focus on tasks at hand, drive for results, flexibility, tact, integrity and discretion;
- Knowledge of and working experience with Enterprise Risk Management frameworks, such as ISO 31000 and COSO;
- Knowledge of and working experience of Internal Control Frameworks, systems, and reviews;
Ability to work under pressure;
- Demonstrated ability to prepare clear and concise reports;
- Ability to use software to gather, collate, analyze, and present complex information;
- Ability to learn and implement new systems such as Oracle based WAVE; and,
- Proven ability to work with the highest standards of confidentiality and discretion, ensuring sensitive information is handled with integrity and professionalism.
Languages
All IOM staff members in all categories are required to be fluent in one of the IOM's official languages (English, French, Spanish).
At least a working knowledge of another language (including one of the six official UN languages, and/or a language that may be widely spoken in the country context) is desirable.
For this position, fluency in English is required (oral and written).
Working knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, 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.