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Stretch Assignment: Risk and Compliance Specialist, NOC/P3, Dakar, Senegal (2 months)

Title: Risk and Compliance Specialist 
Level: NOC/P3 – we encourage staff from all levels with the relevant experience to apply
Reports to: Deputy Representative Operations
Duration: 2 months
Section: Operations Section, Senegal Office  
Location: DAKAR, SENEGAL
Dates/Duration: Stretch assignment from 01/07/2026 until 31/08/2026.
Eligibility: All Fixed-Term, Permanent or continuing appointment UNICEF staff members currently working in UNICEF worldwide.

Background: Under the leadership of the Deputy Representative Operations, the Risk and Compliance function plays a pivotal role in strengthening the overall accountability and assurance environment of the country office. UNICEF is committed to ensuring that its operations are efficient, transparent, and compliant with organizational rules and regulations, while advancing its mission to deliver results for children. Within this framework, the Risk and Compliance Specialist contributes to office-wide objectives by enhancing risk management practices, reinforcing internal controls, and supporting effective collaboration with implementing partners. This role ensures that operational and programmatic activities are carried out in alignment with ethical standards, information security requirements, and sustainability principles, thereby safeguarding UNICEF’s resources and credibility.

Purpose of the Position: Under the supervision of the Deputy Representative Operations, the Risk and Compliance Specialist will be responsible for strengthening risk assurance and compliance efforts in the context of a large/medium/small scale country office. This includes providing complementary support and monitoring related to the management of risk, encompassing the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of risk management practices at process, systems, and entity levels. The Specialist will ensure that risk management objectives are achieved in accordance with organizational rules and regulations, ethical standards, internal controls, information and technology security, sustainability, and quality assurance. A key component of the role is leading the planning and execution of HACT assurance activities—including micro-assessments, spot checks, programmatic visits, and audits—while ensuring timely follow-up on findings and recommendations. The incumbent will maintain a comprehensive assurance calendar, coordinate with implementing partners, and produce quality documentation and analysis on the adequacy and effectiveness of internal controls. Additionally, the Specialist will supervise a General Service (GS) staff member, providing guidance and oversight to support the delivery of assurance tasks.

Duration
This stretch assignment will be for a period of two (2) months.

Key expected results

 1. Risk management support

• Support the office management team in the annual risk assessment process and monitor the reliability of reports and their compliance with applicable rules and regulations.
• Ensure the monitoring of risk mitigation plans including a mid-term review.
• Lead the office peer reviews process, undertake visits to project sites and field offices to verify the quality of performance.
• Ensure the risk management approach is embedded in any project/proposal, in the office governance committee’s review of submissions and in any major decision made by the management.

 2.   Compliance support

• Review the office systems, procedures and processes for compliance with organizational rules and regulations.
• Enforce and strengthen internal controls to ensure that systems are in place to prevent, detect and report non-compliance.  Support the preparation of the annual Statement of Internal Control (SIC) by the office.
• Review internal work processes in Programme and Operations to ensure that accountabilities are clear and placed at adequate levels as per global policies and/or best practices.
• Establish a risk-based system to periodically and systematically review a sample of activities (Programme and Operations) to ensure they are carried out according to established work processes and in compliance with UNICEF policies and Procedures.
• Ensure smooth preparedness of internal and external audits, conduct quality assurance and follow-up on the implementation of the recommendations and provide feedback to the management.
• Periodically test compliance with the Table of authority and adherence to the delegation of authorities in line with UNICEF policies and Procedures; and ensure staff understand the roles and responsibilities delegated to them.
• Review the conformity of statutory and non-statutory committees, assess committee members have been trained/oriented on their roles and responsibility.

3.     Fraud risk Management support

• Support the management of the office in collecting evidence to respond to OIAI’s queries when initially assessing allegations of fraud and misconduct or during actual investigations.
• Advise the management on lessons learned from investigations and measures to be taken accordingly.
• Ensure the implementation of the global anti-fraud strategy, suggest internal fraud prevention mechanisms and alert the management of any fraudulent issues as well as unethical behaviors detected.
• Lead the process of Fraud risk training / orientation to Partners and suppliers.

4.     HACT Assurance Oversight

• Lead the coordination and implementation of HACT assurance activities, including micro-assessments, spot checks, programmatic visits, and audits.
• Ensure the development and maintenance of a comprehensive assurance plan, timely execution of activities, and systematic follow-up on findings and recommendations.
• Collaborate with program and operations teams to strengthen partner capacity and mitigate risks through effective assurance mechanisms.

5.   Oversight and advisory to the Management

• Help advise the management on actions to be taken to enforce and strengthen accountabilities for a robust, responsive and transparent governance framework.
• Contribute to an effective management process by participating in key governance meetings (particularly CMT, PMT and OMT).
• Coordinate Risk assessment and control activities with other UN agencies by representing the office in meetings related to Risks and Compliance activities.
• Supervise a General Service (GS) staff member supporting HACT assurance tasks, ensuring quality and consistency in documentation, data management, and reporting.
• Provide technical guidance and capacity-building support to enhance the effectiveness of assurance processes and compliance with organizational standards.

 6.  Create awareness/capacity building

• Establish a system to document and report weaknesses in internal control and implement actions aimed at addressing internal controls gaps (SOP, memos…) and building the capacity of responsible staff.
• Analyze the cause and effect of policy changes to the operations of the office, anticipate changes and advise on the new way of doing business.

Minimum Qualifications and Competencies

Funding arrangement
This is a temporary development opportunity and there will be no changes to the staff member’s status (position number, level, etc.).

The Office will not cover the ticket for economy class travel and 100% of the UN DSA rate during the first 30 days, and 50% DSA for the remaining time.

Interested UNICEF staff should discuss this opportunity with their supervisor and seek the approval of their management before applying.

Candidates considered potentially well-matched for the stretch assignment will be contacted for an informal interview. Supervisors may also be contacted for references.