Partnerships Specialist - Due Diligence

Contract

This is a IICA-2 contract. This kind of contract is known as International Individual Contractor Agreements. It is normally internationally recruited only. It's an external contract. It usually requires 5 years of experience, depending on education. More about IICA-2 contracts.

Background Information - UNOPS

UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development.

UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management and human resources.

Working with us

UNOPS offers short- and long-term work opportunities in diverse and challenging environments across the globe. We are looking for creative, results-focused professionals with skills in a range of disciplines.

Diversity

With over 4,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,000 personnel recruited on behalf of UNOPS partners spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a wide range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced, diverse workforce — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs, and continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that encourage recruitment of qualified female candidates.

Work life harmonization

UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands.

Background Information - Job-specific

1. General Background

UNOPS supports the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to serve people in need by expanding the ability of the United Nations, governments and other partners to manage projects, infrastructure and procurement in a sustainable and efficient manner. Working in some of the world’s most challenging environments, our vision is to advance sustainable implementation practices, always satisfying or surpassing our partners’ expectations. A flexible structure and global reach means that we can quickly respond to our partners' needs, while offering the benefits of economies of scale.

This position is located in the Legal Group. The Due Diligence Specialist will report directly to the Deputy General Counsel and Director of the Legal Group.

The main responsibilities of the Due Diligence Specialist will be to conduct due diligence reviews and develop UNOPS due diligence policies and procedures. The position includes elements of research, advice and policy development and provides exposure to a wide range of work areas overseen by the Legal Group.

Functional Responsibilities

2. Purpose and Scope of Assignment Under the overall guidance of the Deputy General Counsel and Director of the Legal Group, the Due Diligence Specialist will have the following duties:

Administer and operationalize the UNOPS Due Diligence Policy - Lead the conduct of due diligence reviews, research and screenings of prospective and existing funding sources, partners, clients and other relevant entities in accordance with the UNOPS legal framework. - Draft and consolidate due diligence and screening reports with a special focus on reputational risks for UNOPS. - Administer all aspects of the UNOPS due diligence case management system, including receiving and tracking due diligence requests, assessing the need for referral to internal or external reviewers, filing and maintaining detailed due diligence records in a due diligence register, and establishing and maintaining a retrievable database of reviewed entities. - Assess the need for and assist in the establishment and management of long-term agreements or other contractual instruments with specialised due diligence providers. - Administer corporate intelligence service providers and tools to facilitate reputational due diligence research.

Provide Due Diligence Advisory Services - Advise internal and external stakeholders on the interpretation and application of the UNOPS due diligence policies and related documentation and procedures, and respond to other queries related to the UNOPS due diligence process. - ​​Develop training and awareness-raising campaigns to promote knowledge of and compliance with due diligence policies and procedures within UNOPS.

Policy Development - Develop and review UNOPS due diligence policies and related documentation and procedures to ensure that (i) UNOPS' engagement with third parties is conducted in accordance with UN standards and criteria and in line with industry best practices, and (ii) UNOPS has the necessary knowledge base to assess and manage potential reputational risks. - Develop procedures, guidelines or other tools, including risk management and mitigation tools, to implement the UNOPS due diligence policies.

Knowledge Management and Innovation - Contribute to and maintain knowledge management systems and guidelines to ensure that UNOPS due diligence policies, procedures and resources are widely accessible to all UNOPS stakeholders.

Competencies

Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organization. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organization. Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.

Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles. Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role). Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries. Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements. Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving. Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education:

• A Master's degree in law, international relations, business administration, finance and accounting or other relevant fields is required.
• A bachelor's degree combined with two (2) additional years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of a Master’s degree.

Experience:

• At least five (5) years of professional experience, preferably in an international setting, is required.
• Experience in risk-based due diligence, anti-fraud and anti-corruption, risk management and mitigation or compliance or implementation of internal control systems is required.
• Experience in developing policies and internal standard operating procedures is highly desirable.
• Experience in investigative and auditing activities is an asset.
• Work experience in the UN system is an asset.
• Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) or Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) certification is an asset.

Language requirements:

• Fluency in English, both written and verbal, is required;
• Working knowledge of other languages (in particular, Spanish, French and/or Arabic) is an asset.

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: ICA Contract level: I-ICA2 Contract duration: Until end of 31/12/2022, with possibility of extension.

For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link: https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx