Senior Risk Management Specialist At International Organization for Migration

Position Title : Senior Risk Management Specialist

Duty Station : Gaziantep, Turkey

Classification : Professional Staff, Grade P4

Type of Appointment : Special short-term graded, six months with possibility of extension

Estimated Start Date : As soon as possible

Closing Date : 02 May 2022

Established in 1951, IOM is a Related Organization of the United Nations, and as the leading UN agency in the field of migration, works closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners. IOM is dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It does so by providing services and advice to governments and migrants.

IOM is committed to a diverse and inclusive work environment. Read more about diversity and inclusion at IOM at www.iom.int/diversity.

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:

1. Internal candidates
2. External female candidates:
3. Candidate from the following non-represented member states:

Antigua and Barbuda; Aruba (Netherlands); Botswana; Cabo Verde; Comoros; Congo (the); Cook Islands; Cuba; Curaçao; Fiji; Grenada; Guinea-Bissau; Guyana; Holy See; Iceland; Kingdom of Eswatini; Kiribati; Lao People’s Democratic Republic (the); Latvia; Libya; Madagascar; Marshall Islands; Micronesia (Federated States of); Montenegro; Namibia; Nauru; Palau; Saint Kitts and Nevis; Saint Lucia; Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; Samoa; Sao Tome and Principe; Seychelles; Solomon Islands; Suriname; The Bahamas; Timor-Leste; Tonga; Tuvalu; Vanuatu

Second tier candidates include:

All external candidates, except candidates from non-represented member states of IOM and female candidates.

Context:

As the crisis in Syria is about to enter its eleventh year, the humanitarian situation in the northwest Syria and the Ras Al Ain – Tell Abiad area remains severe. Airstrikes and almost daily shelling incidents continue to impact communities, as well as civilian facilities and humanitarian workers. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the deterioration of the Syrian pound and of the Turkish lira, which is widely used in the northwest, throughout 2021, are taking an extreme toll on the resilience of the population, which has already eroded through years of conflict, insecurity, displacement, and economic hardship. Almost two million people were displaced towards the northwest in early 2020. About 4.4 million people, out of which 2.8 million are internally displaced, are living in an area marred to this day by ongoing hostilities, despite a ceasefire agreement concluded in March 2020.

3.4 million people in the northwest need humanitarian need, out of which 3.1 million acutely. 1.7 million people reside in camps and informal displacement sites. An additional 156,200 people are living in the Ras Al Ain – Tell Abiad area, accessible through Turkey only, where approximately 69,000 people need humanitarian aid and with few responding humanitarian actors.

The humanitarian community, based in Gaziantep, Turkey, through partners inside Syria across ten sectors, are responding to the immense needs of the affected population in a complex and volatile environment, in an area where different contending stakeholders, including non-state armed groups, are in control. The cross-border operation delivery of humanitarian aid depends on the Security Council Resolution 2165 (2014), which was renewed by Resolution 2585 (2021) until 10 July 2022. Since July 2020, the Bab Al-Hawa crossing point remains the only border crossing open for UN cross-border operations to the northwest, from where approximately one thousand trucks per month, carrying life-saving assistance, cross into the area.

Based on consultation within with the broader partner community during last quarter of 2021, the Humanitarian Liaison Group (HLG) for northwest Syria identified risk management as a critical area for the humanitarian community to deliver collectively on to ensure a more effective, efficient and equitable assistance to the people in northwest Syria. Therefore, the HLG agreed to support the Deputy Regional Humanitarian Coordinator (DRHC) for the Syria crisis to look for resources to mobilize the necessary capacities within his office to 1) strengthen coordination in the area of risk management, both within the UN system and the broader humanitarian community, and to 2) take a more proactive approach in ongoing joint risk assessment and timely adoption of mitigation measures.

Under the overall supervision of the Chief of Mission (CoM) in Ankara and the direct supervision of the Head of Sub-Office – East South East and Mediterranean (ESEM) Region of Turkey, in close collaboration with Deputy Regional Humanitarian Coordinator (DRHC), Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the Risk Management Working Group (RMWG), UN Agencies, NGOs as well as the HLG, the Risk Management Specialist is responsible for developing the Risk Management portfolio for the humanitarian response to northwest Syria and managing the work and staff of the Risk Management Unit , which is tasked to:

• Advise the humanitarian community on risk , identifying risks and advising on how to prevent issues and/or manage risk,

• Conduct joint risk assessment and analysis across the humanitarian community on risk, based on the systematic information exchange on risk issues within the humanitarian community,

• Strengthen the capacity of partners on risk management-related issues

• Advocate and report on risk management issues.

The Risk Management Specialist should promote knowledge building and knowledge sharing on the areas of specialty related to her/his function.

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

a. Expertly supporting the humanitarian community and HLG to integrate risk management activities into planning, performance and monitoring:

1. Formulate, prepare and implement a comprehensive risk management strategy to support and strengthen existing risk management activities and common approaches;
2. Promote improved risk information sharing, analysis, and implementation of mitigation measures by advising on and providing regular (quarterly) updates to the northwest Syria common risk register, including: • Monitoring and assessing key risks, control effectiveness and mitigation strategies • Monitoring, reviewing, and improving and resolving due diligence efforts and gaps in compliance • Analysing, taking action on and/or escalating emerging themes/gaps • Advising on actions organizations can take with regard to risk management
3. Examine and assess opportunities to apply harmonized risk management approaches across the humanitarian community, and prepare recommendations, briefings and other materials in this respect.
4. Lead the Risk Management Working Group, using it to help conduct analysis on risk issues, build consensus on risk, strengthen accountability, and ensuring advocacy and information sharing
5. Link and create synergies with relevant coordination forums such as the AWG, ICCG, Cash Working Group to ensure a coherent and coordinated approach to risk management.
6. Provide authoritative risk-related analysis on specific issues of importance, such as: • The potential non-renewal and/or reduction of reliance on the Security Council Resolution that enables cross-border assistance • Counter-terrorism legislation • Regulatory and administrative issues enacted by the GoT and/or authorities in NWS • Any other relevant issue

b. Promote in-country risk management capacity development

1. Develop and ensure opportunities for learning on risk management for the humanitarian community
2. Regularly review and assess the learning needs of partners
3. Ensure the collection and sharing of best practices and lessons learned.

c. Ensure and improve communication and outreach

1. Provide advice to and support leadership with necessary information and analysis on risk for engagement with donors and others.
2. Develop and maintain risk management products and communications for public information (for example risk management one-pager with facts) that can be regularly shared with external stakeholders.

d. Management

1. Manage and ensure the effective running of the risk management unit on day-to-day basis, represent and oversee the team’s overall work, and exercise financial, programmatic and operational management responsibility.
2. Manage the performance of three national officers (senior national Risk Management Officer, assistant Risk Management and an Information Management Officer), including identification of clear roles & responsibilities for each team member, evaluating performance and resolving issues.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Education

• Master’s degree in Business/Public Administration, Finance, Accounting, International Development, Audit or a related field from an accredited academic institution with seven years of relevant professional experience; or,

• University degree in the above fields with nine years of relevant professional experience.

Experience

• Minimum of seven years progressively responsible experience in the oversight area or related areas such as finance, accounting, risk analysis, political analysis, monitoring and evaluation, business administration, or management advisory services;

• Experience in auditing, consulting or reviewing procedures for programme/project implementation, risk management within the UN system or in the private sector is highly desirable;

• Experience in handling of web-based management systems and advanced user of computers and office software packages;

• Experience with working in a multi-national setting with people from different cultural backgrounds.

Skills

• Financial Reporting and Analysis: Ability to evaluate financial data, derive relevant findings and present them in a meaningful manner.

• Quality Assurance: Ability to perform administrative and procedural activities to ensure that quality requirements and goals are fulfilled.

• Operational Efficiency: Ability to identify and execute opportunities to improve operational efficiency.

• Internal Reporting and Accountability: Ability to create internal reporting and accountability processes and standards.

• Risk Assessment Ability to identify and prioritize risks, and organize action around mitigating them.

• Knowledge Management Ability to capture, develop, share and effectively use information and knowledge.

Languages

IOM’s official languages are English, French, and Spanish.

External applicants for all positions in the Professional category are required to be proficient in English and have at least a working knowledge of one additional UN Language (French, Spanish, Arabic, Russian or Chinese).

For all applicants, fluency in English is required (oral and written). Working knowledge of Arabic is an advantage.

Proficiency of language(s) required will be specifically evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments.

Notes

1 Accredited Universities are the ones listed in the UNESCO World Higher Education Database

(https://whed.net/home.php).

Required Competencies:

Values – all IOM staff members must abide by and demonstrate these three values:

• Inclusion and respect for diversity: respects and promotes individual and cultural differences; encourages diversity and inclusion wherever possible.

• Integrity and transparency: maintains high ethical standards and acts in a manner consistent with organizational principles/rules and standards of conduct.

• Professionalism: demonstrates ability to work in a composed, competent and committed manner and exercises careful judgment in meeting day-to-day challenges.

Core Competencies – behavioural indicators level 3

• Teamwork: develops and promotes effective collaboration within and across units to achieve shared goals and optimize results.

• Delivering results: produces and delivers quality results in a service-oriented and timely manner; is action oriented and committed to achieving agreed outcomes.

• Managing and sharing knowledge: continuously seeks to learn, share knowledge and innovate.

• Accountability: takes ownership for achieving the Organization’s priorities and assumes responsibility for own action and delegated work.

• Communication: encourages and contributes to clear and open communication; explains complex matters in an informative, inspiring and motivational way.

Managerial Competencies – behavioural indicators level 3

• Leadership: provides a clear sense of direction, leads by example and demonstrates the ability to carry out the organization’s vision; assists others to realize and develop their potential.

• Empowering others & building trust: creates an atmosphere of trust and an enabling environment where staff can contribute their best and develop their potential.

• Strategic thinking and vision: works strategically to realize the Organization’s goals and communicates a clear strategic direction.

IOM’s competency framework can be found at this link. https://www.iom.int/sites/default/files/about-iom/iom_revised_competency_framework_external.p

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Competencies will be assessed during a competency-based interview.

Other:

Internationally recruited professional staff are required to be mobile.

Any offer made to the candidate in relation to this vacancy notice is subject to funding confirmation.

This selection process may be used to staff similar positions in various duty stations. Recommended candidates will remain eligible to be appointed in a similar position for a period of 24 months.

The list of NMS countries above includes all IOM Member States which are non-represented in the Professional Category of staff members. For this staff category, candidates who are nationals of the duty station’s country cannot be considered eligible.

Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances. Subject to certain exemptions, vaccination against COVID-19 will in principle be required for individuals hired on or after 15 November 2021. This will be verified as part of the medical clearance process.

Vacancies close at 23:59 local time Geneva, Switzerland on the respective closing date. No late applications will be accepted.