FAO Compliance Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. Established in 1945, FAO's mission is to achieve security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security for all and ensure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. With 195 Members, including 194 Nations and the European Union, FAO operates in over 130 countries worldwide. The organization focuses on providing policy advice and support to countries in areas related to food and agriculture, facilitating partnerships, mobilizing resources, and delivering technical assistance to strengthen food systems and improve livelihoods. FAO Country Offices work under corporate guidance and align their operations with the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) to ensure effective and efficient service delivery while adhering to international standards of accountability.

Job Overview:
The FAO Compliance Specialist will play a crucial role in supporting the FAO Country Office in Malawi by strengthening compliance, risk management, internal controls, quality assurance, and accountability across various administrative, financial, operational, and programmatic activities. The incumbent will work directly under the supervision of the FAO Representative in Malawi and collaborate with various teams, including Operations, Procurement, Finance, Programme, Monitoring and Evaluation, and Field Office teams. The primary focus of this position is to provide practical advice to promote the consistent application of FAO rules, procedures, and standards, while leading the development and implementation of comprehensive risk management strategies, compliance frameworks, and fraud prevention measures. This role is essential for restoring and reinforcing integrity, transparency, and accountability throughout FAO Malawi’s operational practices.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Compliance Specialist will be responsible for several key tasks, including:

• Supporting the systematic integration of risk management, compliance, quality assurance, and accountability measures into FAO Malawi operations and program implementation.
• Reviewing operational, administrative, financial, and procurement processes against applicable FAO rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Advising the FAO Representative on practical measures to strengthen internal controls, improve governance, and mitigate compliance risks within the Country Office and supported programs.
• Conducting risk assessments, updating the Country Office risk register, and monitoring progress on agreed mitigation actions, including inputs to performance planning and review processes.
• Coordinating with relevant Country Office units, Field Offices, the Regional Office, and Headquarters to identify compliance gaps, develop control checklists and standard operating procedures, and propose practical solutions to improve oversight.
• Developing, updating, and monitoring FAO Malawi compliance and risk logs through a structured, risk-based monitoring approach.
• Undertaking field visits and spot checks to review compliance at Field Offices and project sites, preparing concise mission reports with findings, risks, and recommended corrective actions.
• Promoting awareness and consistent application of FAO policies, procedures, and standards of conduct by providing day-to-day guidance, responding to routine compliance queries, and supporting staff learning initiatives in coordination with relevant offices.
• Performing other duties as required.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO in a field related to business, financial management, procurement, law, economics, or other closely related fields. For those with a bachelor's degree, two additional years of relevant professional experience are required. Furthermore, candidates should have at least 10 years of relevant professional experience in a related field, with direct professional experience in compliance-related responsibilities within UN Organizations being an added advantage. A working knowledge (level C) of the English language is mandatory.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced university degree in business, financial management, procurement, law, economics, or closely related fields. Candidates with a bachelor's degree must have two additional years of relevant professional experience to qualify for the position.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 10 years of relevant professional experience in a related field. Candidates with direct professional experience in compliance-related responsibilities within UN Organizations will be given preference. This extensive experience is crucial for effectively managing compliance and risk within the FAO Country Office in Malawi.

Languages:
A working knowledge (level C) of the English language is mandatory for this position. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset, although not explicitly stated as a requirement.

Additional Notes:
The job posting does not specify the deadline date for applications. It is important to note that the position may involve a full-time commitment, and candidates should be prepared for potential international recruitment processes. Compensation and benefits details are not provided in the job description.