Risk Specialist

About the Role and Organization

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is dedicated to combating poverty, inequality, and climate change worldwide, working in over 170 countries. In Afghanistan, where UNDP has operated for over 50 years, the organization supports peace, prosperity, and sustainable development through programs addressing socioeconomic resilience, health, governance, and rule of law. Afghanistan faces significant humanitarian challenges, including high food insecurity and displacement, making risk management crucial for effective program delivery.

UNDP is implementing its Transitional Country Programme Strategy (TCPS) for 2024-2027, emphasizing humanitarian, development, and peace objectives, risk management, gender equality, and the principle of "do no harm." Within this framework, the Integrated Risk Management Unit (IRMU) plays a key role in continuously assessing and mitigating risks to ensure program effectiveness and compliance.

Position Purpose

The Risk Specialist, reporting directly to the Head of the IRMU, collaborates across UNDP headquarters and field teams, offering analytical and strategic support to strengthen risk management across programming and operations within the Afghanistan country office.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct thorough risk assessments and analyses to identify and mitigate program and operational risks, interpreting complex information to provide informed recommendations.
• Perform desk research and due diligence including reviewing documentation, public sources, and investigative materials to develop comprehensive risk profiles.
• Verify authenticity of documents through forensic reviews to detect potential fraud or discrepancies.
• Ensure adherence to sanctions regimes and anti-money laundering/combating terrorism financing policies.
• Prepare risk reports and communicate risk management procedures and guidelines to internal teams and partners.
• Advise on risk mitigation strategies tailored to different types of partners, focusing on fraud, corruption, and terrorism financing risks.
• Integrate enterprise risk management policies, social and environmental standards, and AML/CFT requirements into UNDP’s programming.
• Review and recommend improvements to partner risk assessment tools, operational guides, and compliance mechanisms.
• Oversee audit and investigation support by reviewing cases of suspected malpractice, liaising with audit bodies, and supporting due diligence processes.
• Build and maintain partnerships with UN agencies, donors, regulatory bodies, and other stakeholders to foster collaborative risk management efforts.
• Deliver training and capacity-building on risk management best practices to UNDP teams and partners.
• Contribute to the development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and other technical documents for the IRMU.

Competencies

• Demonstrates the ability to achieve results, innovate, adapt, and engage collaboratively within complex environments.
• Possesses skills in systemic thinking, portfolio and business management, financial risk and fraud control, and partnership development.

Educational Qualifications and Experience

• Master’s degree or equivalent in Risk Management, Business Administration, Accounting, Statistics, Law, or related fields.
• Alternatively, a relevant bachelor’s degree plus two additional years of qualifying experience may be considered.
• At least five years of professional experience in risk management or related disciplines.

Additional Information: Tiered Application Process

UNDP uses a tiered recruitment approach prioritizing current UNDP and UNV personnel based on appointment type and contract status, with Tier 0 as permanent and fixed-term staff facing contract cessation, followed by tiers including other contracts and external candidates. Applicants should note the tier applicable to each vacancy and assess their eligibility accordingly.