Compliance Specialist - Part-time (50%) Home-based

Background

Office/Unit/Project Description   

The Office of Audit and Investigations (OAI) reports to the Administrator and is responsible for internal audit and investigations services to UNDP and its affiliated entities.

The Social and Environmental Compliance Unit (SECU) is located in OAI and is UNDP’s social and environmental compliance review mechanism, conducting independent investigations to ensure UNDP adheres to its own social and environmental standards and procedures, in particular the Social and Environmental Standards (SES).

SECU responds to complaints that UNDP may not be meeting its social and environmental commitments. UNDP established the Social and Environmental Compliance Unit (SECU) to ensure accountability to individuals and communities. 

OAI seeks to engage a suitably skilled and experienced international professional under the International Personnel Services Agreement (IPSA) to support OAI in matters relating to Social and Environmental Compliance of UNDP. 

Key Responsibilities 

The Compliance Specialist will lead case investigations related to compliance with Social and Environmental policies, as assigned, and generally support the work of the Lead Compliance Officer and Compliance Specialist (Head of Unit) for UNDP’s Social and Environmental Compliance Unit. 

Scope of work   

• Receive and review eligibility of requests for investigation, as assigned by the SECU Compliance Specialist (Head of Unit) under the technical guidance of the Lead Compliance Officer. 
• Lead case investigations related to compliance with Social and Environmental policies, as assigned. 
• Provide advice about the Social and Environmental Compliance Unit to potential requesters. 
• Provide advice to OAI Management and UNDP staff about the application of UNDP Social and Environmental standards to UNDP projects. 
• Lead on research and writing of compliance cases as assigned. 
• Mentor and work with SECU staff members assigned to the case team. 
• Participate in weekly SECU team calls, with SECU staff and other SECU Compliance Officers. 
• Advise and support with expert technical analysis on policy development within SECU, as requested. 
• Provide analysis and inputs in the preparation of outreach and communications materials about SECU and its functions. 
• Provide analysis and inputs for the preparation of annual reports on SECU. 
• Support engagement with the Stakeholder Response Mechanism. 
• Participate in planning and execution of field missions, including travel to UNDP project locations in often dynamic and challenging locations. SECU field missions never run in locations determined prohibitively unsafe by the UN Department of Safety and Security. 
• The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

 

Institutional Arrangement 

The Compliance Specialist will be tasked by the SECU Compliance Specialist (Head of Unit) under the technical guidance of the Lead Compliance Officer, SECU. All work products produced by the Compliance Specialist as a result of this engagement are owned by UNDP and shall be submitted to SECU. 

Competencies 

Core

Achieve Results: LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact  Think Innovatively: LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems  Learn Continuously: LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands  Act with Determination:  LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results Engage and Partner: LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity

 

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies 

Thematic Area Name Definition Business Direction & Strategy Strategic Thinking

Ability to develop effective strategies and prioritized plans in line with UNDP’s objectives, based on the systemic analysis of challenges, potential risks and opportunities; linking the vision to reality on the ground, and creating tangible solutions 

Ability to leverage learning from a variety of sources to anticipate and respond to future trend