Compliance Advisor

Organizational Setting

The main aim of FAO Country Offices, which are headed by an FAO Representative, is to assist the governments to develop policies, programmes and projects to achieve food security and to reduce hunger and malnutrition, to develop the agricultural, fisheries and forestry sectors, and to use their environmental and natural resources in a sustainable manner. Furthermore, FAO provides vital emergency agricultural and livestock assistance to enable people to produce their own food, generate income and strengthen their resilience. FAO's Office in Ethiopia is responsible for leading the Organization's response to threats to food security, agricultural and rural development through the identification, planning and implementation of the organization priority activities in the country. The position is located in the FAO Representation in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Because the Representation is co-located with the Sub-Regional Office for Eastern Africa (SFE) headed by the Sub-Regional Coordinator (SRC), and shares some key functions with SFE, the position will provide support to SFE as well.

In view of a growing programme – both emergency, resilience and developmental projects, as well as number of compliance issues and risks that have been highlighted – especially given the Level 3 Emergency context, the Office aims to strengthen its compliance.

Reporting Lines

Under the supervision of the Senior Administrative Officer, and with the guidance of the Sub-Regional Coordinator (SRC) for Eastern Africa and the FAO Representative (FAOR) in Ethiopia, the incumbent will ensure compliance with FAO administrative, financial and operational policies/procedures and advise the SRC and FAOR accordingly. The Compliance Advisor will also work closely with relevant FAO units; inter alia, OER Compliance Team, OIG and others.

Technical Focus

Provide advice and specialized support in the establishment of risk management, compliance and quality assurance activities.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Ensure full and systematic integration into operations and programme activities of risk management, compliance, and quality assurance actions, as well as Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP) and Protection principles. • Review processes and procedures of the operations against the relevant FAO administrative, financial and operational rules, regulations, codes and internal policies and procedures, with a specific focus on beneficiary selection and registration, activities of implementing partners and service providers, monitoring, verification and reconciliation of assistance received by beneficiaries, management of FAO monitors, Third-Party monitors, feedback mechanisms, call centres, etc., depending on office structure; • Advise and make recommendations to the SRC and FAOR on appropriate strategies to strengthen controls and mitigate potential risks for adequate compliance to rules and regulations and good governance of the FAO Sub-Regional and Country Offices, as well as programmes; • Liaise and coordinate with the SRC and FAOR, programme, operations, administration, finance, M&E units and Field Offices to identify compliance issues and risks, and in consultation with the relevant administrative units in the Regional Office and/or HQ, develop and disseminate control checklists and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), and to provide innovative solutions to ensure adequate oversight and mitigate risks; • Develop, update and monitor the implementation of the FAO risk logs, through an established risk-based compliance monitoring system; • Coordinate and liaise with other UN organizations, implementing partners, operational partners, and relevant Government authorities and Donors so as to maximize collective and quality efforts to manage risks, ensure compliance and uphold FAO’s AAP and Protection commitments; • Make regular visits or spot checks to field offices and programme/project activities’ sites to conduct compliance reviews and monitor proper application of policies and procedures. Prepare mission reports identifying any weaknesses and improvement measures; • Act as focal point for internal and external audit and investigation missions, providing guidance and advice to identify potential issues of concern; • Ensure that policies, procedures and standards of conduct are communicated, understood and appropriately implemented; respond to routine enquiries and day to day advice and guidance to all staff on rules and internal policies; coordinate with relevant units in the Regional Office and Headquarters for the organization of training programmes for staff to enhance compliance with policies, rules and procedures and support the delivery of those learning initiatives; • Promote best practices in risk management, compliance, quality, and oversight as well as AAP and protection within the office and the organization; • Perform other related duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) in business/public administration, economics or a closely related technical field; • At least 7 years of relevant experience in administration, finance, evaluation, audit and/or in programme/projects operations, and control functions; • Working knowledge (level C) of English and limited knowledge (level B) of one of the other FAO languages (French, Spanish, Arabic, Russian, Chinese). For PSA, working knowledge of English (level C).

FAO Core Competencies

• Results Focus • Teamwork • Communication • Building Effective Relationships • Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

• Able to work under pressure and adapt to an evolving and complex humanitarian context and within multidisciplinary and different cultural background teams; • Relevant work experience in functions related to compliance management and monitoring in the context of a large international organization operating in developing countries; • Negotiation skills and ability to deal confidently with tact at management level; • Team player with good interpersonal skills, and facilitation/motivational skills; • Ability to work under pressure to tight timelines and without direct supervision; • Strong analytical and conceptual abilities, communication skills, both verbal and in writing; • Knowledge of humanitarian principles.