Risk and Compliance Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is an international organization that aims 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. Established in 1945, FAO has grown to include 194 member countries and operates in over 130 countries worldwide. The organization focuses on transforming agrifood systems to be more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable, contributing to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. FAO assists governments in developing policies, programs, and projects to combat hunger and malnutrition, providing technical support for sustainable agricultural, fisheries, and forestry development. Through its Country Offices, FAO engages in designing and implementing tailored field programs, liaising with local donors, and raising public awareness about its initiatives, such as World Food Day.

Job Overview:
The Risk and Compliance Specialist will play a crucial role in leading the development and implementation of comprehensive risk management strategies and compliance frameworks within FAO Malawi. This position is essential for reinforcing integrity, transparency, and accountability in operational practices. The specialist will work closely with the FAO Representative and Assistant FAO Representatives to ensure that risk management considerations are integrated into project designs and governance structures. The role involves conducting fraud risk assessments, developing mitigation plans, and supporting management in evidence-gathering for investigations related to fraud or misconduct. The specialist will also be responsible for institutionalizing fraud detection mechanisms and ensuring compliance with FAO rules and regulations, donor obligations, and national laws.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Risk and Compliance Specialist include developing a comprehensive Risk Management framework, coordinating the preparation and maintenance of the country office’s risk register, leading risk mapping and field monitoring missions, integrating risk management into project designs, advising management on anti-fraud measures, institutionalizing fraud detection mechanisms, conducting vendor due diligence, leading fraud risk awareness training, reviewing office systems for compliance, strengthening internal controls, assessing internal work processes, preparing for audits, conducting compliance tests, documenting weaknesses in internal controls, analyzing policy changes, and supporting continuous learning and development in the Risk and Compliance function.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a university degree (bachelor’s or equivalent) in Law, Public Administration, Business Administration, Finance, Audit, Risk Management, or a related field. Additionally, candidates should have at least seven years of cumulative work experience in risk management, compliance, internal audit, legal, governance, or a related area. A working knowledge of the English language is also required. An advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent) in the relevant fields is considered an asset, along with good knowledge of IT skills in forensic audit and fraud prevention, and administration and process flows.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a university degree in relevant fields such as Law, Public Administration, Business Administration, Finance, Audit, or Risk Management. An advanced degree is preferred and considered an asset, indicating a higher level of expertise and understanding of the complexities involved in risk management and compliance.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of seven years of cumulative work experience in areas related to risk management, compliance, internal audit, legal, or governance. This level of experience is essential to ensure that the candidate has a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and best practices in managing risks and ensuring compliance within an organization.

Languages:
A working knowledge of the English language is mandatory for this position. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset, enhancing communication capabilities within the diverse environment of FAO and its stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
The position is likely to be full-time, and candidates may be assessed against FAO's core competencies, which include results focus, teamwork, communication, building effective relationships, and knowledge sharing. The role may involve international recruitment, and candidates should be prepared for potential travel as part of their duties. Compensation and benefits details are typically provided during the hiring process.