WFP Programme Policy Officer Assurance Coordinator CST II

Job Posting Organization:
The World Food Programme (WFP) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, established to save lives in emergencies and to use food assistance as a means to build pathways to peace, stability, and prosperity for individuals recovering from conflict, disasters, and the impacts of climate change. WFP operates in numerous countries around the globe, employing thousands of individuals dedicated to humanitarian efforts. The organization is committed to diversity and equal employment opportunities, encouraging candidates from various backgrounds to apply. WFP has received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2020, highlighting its significant contributions to global humanitarian efforts. The organization emphasizes a healthy and inclusive work environment, living by its core values of Integrity, Collaboration, Commitment, Humanity, and Inclusion. WFP invests in the professional development of its employees through various training and mentorship programs, offering opportunities for career advancement across its global offices.

Job Overview:
The position of Assurance Coordinator at WFP Kenya is crucial as the organization increasingly relies on Cooperating Partners (CPs) for program implementation. The Assurance Coordinator will provide a structured, risk-based, and evidence-based challenge to ensure the adequacy and effectiveness of CP governance, risk management, and internal controls. This role is designed to strengthen assurance over the CP management lifecycle, support the timely identification and mitigation of control weaknesses, improve audit readiness, safeguard WFP resources, and enhance accountability for program results. The Assurance Coordinator will operate independently within the Risk and Compliance Unit, providing objective assessments, constructive challenges, and verification without assuming first-line management responsibilities. The role aims to ensure that material CP-related risks are identified and managed appropriately, compliance obligations are met, and significant findings are addressed in a timely manner. The Assurance Coordinator will also develop and maintain a risk-based assurance plan, conduct assurance reviews, and support audit readiness efforts, contributing to the overall effectiveness and efficiency of WFP's operations in Kenya.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Assurance Coordinator will be responsible for assessing the design and effectiveness of CP governance and internal control arrangements, identifying control gaps, and recommending corrective actions. The role includes reviewing CP due diligence, capacity assessments, and risk ratings for completeness and alignment with requirements. The Coordinator will develop a documented, risk-based CP assurance plan, prioritize assurance activities, and conduct assurance reviews, spot checks, and independent verifications for high-risk CP engagements. Additionally, the Coordinator will support internal and external audit preparedness, maintain a tracker of audit observations and assurance findings, and analyze data to identify trends and risks. The position requires the documentation of all assurance work, ensuring that findings are clearly distinguished and tracked to closure. The Assurance Coordinator will also provide periodic updates to management and contribute to the Country Office risk register and management briefings.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree in risk management, internal audit, compliance, finance, accounting, governance, operations management, or a related field. Relevant professional certification is desirable. The role requires a strong understanding of governance, risk management, and internal controls, with demonstrated ability to assess control effectiveness, conduct evidence-based reviews, and prepare concise assurance reports. Familiarity with tools such as Partner Connect and UN Partner Portal is an asset. The candidate should also have excellent communication skills to effectively convey risk assessments and findings to management.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree in a relevant field such as risk management, internal audit, compliance, finance, accounting, governance, or operations management is required. Candidates with relevant professional certifications will have an advantage in the selection process.

Experience:
The position requires 5 to 7 years of relevant experience in assurance, audit, compliance, risk management, internal controls, or oversight. Experience working with NGOs, implementing partners, or in humanitarian operations is desirable, particularly in relation to audit readiness and compliance oversight.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory for this position. Knowledge of another UN language is considered desirable and may enhance a candidate's profile.

Additional Notes:
This position is open to qualified international candidates, specifically those who are nationals of a country other than Kenya. The role is full-time and involves significant responsibilities related to risk management and compliance oversight. WFP emphasizes a commitment to providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. The organization does not charge any fees for applications or recruitment processes, ensuring a fair and equitable hiring process.