Chief of Quality Assurance, Risk Management and Compliance Section, P-5

Chief of Quality Assurance, Risk Management and Compliance Section, P-5

UNECA - United Nations Economic Commission for Africa

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Org. Setting and Reporting

ECA’s mission is to deliver ideas and actions for an empowered and transformed Africa; informed by the 2030 SDGs and Agenda 2063. The mission is guided by ECA’s five new strategic directions which are: advancing ECA’s position as a premier knowledge institution that builds on its unique position and privilege to bring global solutions to the continent’s problems and take local solution to the continent; developing macroeconomic and structural policy options to accelerate economic diversification and job creation; designing and implementing innovative financing models for infrastructure, and for human, physical and social assets for a transforming Africa; contributing solutions to regional and transboundary challenges, with a focus on peace security and social inclusion as an important development nexus; advocating Africa’s position at the global level and developing regional responses as a contribution to global governance issues.

This position is located in the Strategic Planning, Oversight and Results Division of the Economic Commission for Africa. The incumbent will be stationed in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The Chief of Section reports to the Director of Strategic Planning, Oversight and Results Division.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Chief of the Quality Assurance, Risk Management and Compliance Section (QRMCS) will be responsible for the following duties:

Programme Level: Contribute to the design, development, introduction and implementation of policies, processes and procedures for improving the quality of delivery of ECA’s regular programme of work as well as extra-budgetary project outputs, by reviewing existing quality assurance policies and guidelines, identifying compliance gaps and making recommendations through the Division’s Director, for the rectification by ECA management:

• Develop Quality Assurance checklists for all major outputs of the Commission, to make future quality assessments more objective, by agreeing with programme managers on the key quality dimensions to focus on prior to programme and project implementation.
• Undertake quality assurance of ECA’s knowledge products, especially flagship publications and other outputs, activities and events.
• Develop and implement risk management plan/register and treatment and policies to identify, assess, and mitigate risks across ECA’s programs and operations.
• Monitor and review risk management processes and procedures to ensure effectiveness and compliance with organizational and UN standards.
• Prepare risk management reports and recommendations for senior management, highlighting significant risks and mitigation measures.
• Ensure that ECA’s operations, projects and finances comply with relevant UN policies, regulations, and standards, as well as funding partners and internal ECA guidelines.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of relevant regulations and standards and ensure that ECA policies are aligned with current requirements.
• Prepare compliance reports for the senior leadership team (SLT), highlighting areas of concern and recommending improvements.
• Undertakes and oversees the production of analytical work, research and policy papers and knowledge products related to the work of the section.
• Organize workshops, meetings and conferences relevant to the work of the section.
• Leads team members efforts to collect and analyze data and provides insight to identify trends or patterns for data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting. Ensures that everyone can discover, access, integrate and share the data they need.

At the Division Level Support the work of the division in ensuring a high level of quality and standards in all its products and services, promoting a risk management culture and adherence to the rules and regulations of the organization in its operations and services in promoting a culture of accountability, transparency and lessons learned in ECA, and sound programming and reporting in the work of the organization. In consultation with the Director of the Division, develop and elaborate the annual work programme of the Quality Assurance, Risk Management and Compliance Section (QRMCS) and contribute to the effective delivery of the work programme of the Division and also provide intellectual, technical and managerial leadership to the Section.

• Contribute to the articulation and development of the overall work programme of the Division.
• Contribute to the Division’s reports, programme performance reviews, etc.
• Undertake representational meetings
• Lead the institutionalization of quality assurance, risk management and compliance at ECA by providing technical advisory services.
• Manage the delivery of the Section’s work programme as well as its financial resources.
• May perform other duties as required.

Competencies

• Professionalism: Knowledge of the substantive field of work in general and of specific areas being supervised. Ability to produce reports and papers on technical issues and to review and edit the work of others. Ability to apply UN rules, regulations, policies and guidelines in work situations. 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 difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. The ability to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management.
• Planning& Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.
• Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.
• Vision: Identifies strategic issues, opportunities and risks; clearly communicates links between the Organization’s strategy and the work unit’s goals; generates and communicates broad and compelling organizational direction, inspiring others to pursue that same direction; conveys enthusiasm about future possibilities.
• Managing Performance: Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority; makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member; accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills; monitors progress against milestones and deadlines; regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff; encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative; actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff; appraises performance fairly.

Education

• Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in business administration, management audit, management, economics, development studies, international relations, Political science, Public Administration, Social Sciences or a related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
• Successful completion of both degree and non-degree programs in data analytics, business analytics or data science programs is an advantage.

Work Experience

• A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience in project or programme planning and management, quality assurance, risk management and management audit is required.
• Relevant experience in an international organization or an African institution is desirable.
• Good knowledge of the UN regional reform process is an advantage.
• Work experience: Experience in data analytics or related area is desirable.

Languages

• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is desirable.

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