Risk and Resilience Officer, P5

  •  United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA)
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  •  UNECA, Menelik II Avenue, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Risk and Resilience Officer will be responsible for:

Risk Management
Participates in implementing and maintaining compliance with the UN ERM framework at ECA, including related planning documents and budget proposals, ensuring that a risk-based approach is dully factored therein;
Conducts research and collates and disseminates data on risks related to all aspects of ECA mandates and operations. Ensures that data is maintained for analysis and reporting;
Coordinates identification of risks to delivery of ECA mandates and strategic objectives;
Analyzes and evaluates risks in cooperation with ECA stakeholders;
Develops, coordinates reviews and approvals and maintains ECA risk registers, facilitates reviews and development of risk treatment plans; coordinates for this purpose with ECA stakeholders and the Board of Auditors (BoA);
Provides training and authoritative advice on related policy, guidance and methodology at ECA and collaborates with stakeholders to promote risk ownership, accountability and improved risk management;
Acts as the Secretary of ECA’s Risk Management Committee, facilitates the establishment and coordinates the activities of the Committee ensuring that identified risks are recorded, assessed and prioritized, with appropriate actions taken;
Coordinates the activities of risk management focal points appointed by Directors, Sub-Regional Offices (SROs) and the African Institute for Economic Development and Planning (IDEP);
Monitors ECA management of risks, coordinates for this purpose with best practices/knowledge management to identify and disseminate lessons learned and best practices.

Organizational Resilience Management System (ORMS) and Business Continuity Management (BCM)
Implements ORMS and BCM as per policies and frameworks issued by UN Headquarters, details ECA policies and establishes governance structures;
Conducts a comprehensive risk assessment for business continuity;
Delivers plans to ensure coverage for core ORMS elements, to include; (a) Crisis management decision making and operations coordination framework; b) security support and response; c) crisis communications; d) mass casualty incident response; e) IT disaster recovery; f) business continuity; and g) support to staff, survivors and their families;
Works with stakeholders to develop response and recovery plans and scenarios with the goal of achieving flexible and coordinated responses that reflect prevailing circumstances;
Mainstreams ORMS requirements into day-to-day work;
Establishes necessary system of maintenance and reviews, including readiness exercises;
Provide training and authoritative advice on ORMS and BCM.

Audit and Compliance
Acts as the primary contact for DOA on all matters related to the activities of oversight bodies (Board of Auditors, Office of Internal Oversight Services and Joint Inspection Unit);
Conducts audit compliance activities for DoA including analyzing reports and recommendations of oversight bodies and boards of inquiry. Provides authoritative advice to the Director, DoA on compliance and progress, also taking into consideration UN policy, operations and programme mandates, cost-benefit analysis, and competing priorities;
Provides advise on mitigation measures if report recommendations are to be rejected;
Ensures that accepted recommendations are implemented, and that sufficient evidence is provided to oversight bodies for closure of the recommendations. Appraises adequacy of follow-up actions taken in respect to recommendations and provides regular updates to Director, DoA;
Incorporates audit compliance into risk registers;
Briefs Senior Management on risk management and compliance matters; prepares and submits required reports to UN headquarters, in line with stated requirements.
Performs other related duties as requested by Director, DoA.

Competencies

Professionalism: Knowledge and understanding of risk management theories and related concepts and approaches, crisis management, organizational resilience and business continuity planning. Experience in implementing risk management models and measures, organizational resilience management and business continuity plans. Ability to identify issues, analyze and participate in the resolution of issues. Ability to conduct data collection using various methods. Conceptual analytical and evaluative skills to conduct independent research and analysis, including familiarity with and experience using various research sources, including internet sources and databases. Ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, plan work and manage conflicting priorities. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and in ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. Ability to self-start and automate work, delivering results without major supervision.

Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honors commitments; delivers outputs within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.

Education

Advanced university degree is required in Emergency Management; Organizational Resilience Management; Business Continuity Management; Risk Management; Disaster, Risk and Resilience Management; or Risk, Crisis and Resilience Management. A relevant first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree. Certifications are required in one of the following areas: ERM and ORMS; business continuity; emergency preparedness and/or disaster recovery (Certified Business Continuity Professional (CBCP); ISO 22301 Certified Business Continuity Manager (CBCM); Certified Disaster Recovery Engineer (C/DRE); Disaster Recovery Professional (EDRP) certification; ISO 31000: Risk management or Certified Risk Management Professional (CRMP)).

Work Experience

A minimum of seven (7) years full time progressive work experience is required covering both enterprise risk management and organizational resilience and/or business continuity related to large-scale organizations such as the UN. Proven experience is required in developing, implementing and managing plans including, but not limited to risk management, crisis management, physical security support and response, crisis communications and business continuity.
Experience in working in a UN system organization is desirable.

Languages

Fluency in oral and written English is required; knowledge of French is desirable. Knowledge of another United Nations official language is an advantage.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include a substantive assessment which will be followed by a competency-based interview.

Special Notice

Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures.

The united nations is Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

This vacancy is subject to availability of post. Extension of the appointment is subject to extension of the mandate and/or the availability of funds.