UNOPS

The Risk and Compliance Group (RCG) integrates key Second Line of Defence functions to strengthen risk management and ensure UNOPS operations align with UN values. RCG supports the organization in applying best practices across risk management, quality assurance, compliance, internal controls, and due diligence. Core responsibilities include enterprise and corporate risk management, such as secretariat support to the Quarterly Management Review (QMR); corporate insurance; development of compliance and accountability frameworks; oversight of internal controls; and due diligence. RCG also manages the Contracts and Property Committee (CPC) and the bid protest process. Through these functions, RCG helps embed risk management into operational processes, supports the automation of controls, proactively addresses key risks, prevents non-compliance, and ensures robust due diligence. Our group plays a vital role in advancing integrity, accountability, and operational excellence across UNOPS.

Within RCG, the position supports both the Risk Unit and the Insurance Unit, contributing to the integration of enterprise risk management and insurance as complementary risk management approaches. More specifically, this position aims to support: (a) fostering a risk aware culture; (b) exercising risk management oversight on high risks to UNOPS performance, contribution and reputation; (c) support effective risk management across the organization, nurturing decision quality and end-to-end accountability.

The role requires strong expertise in risk management, combined with a solid understanding of international development and the complexities of delivering in diverse and often high-risk environments. It includes applying and adapting frameworks, providing advisory support and building institutional capacity across the organization.

UNOPS aims to establish a pool of qualified professionals who can be deployed for short-term and longer-term assignments on an as-needed basis. This vacancy primarily seeks to fill home-based opportunities as a retainer, but positions may also require travel to various global locations, including hardship locations, depending on needs.

Required

• A Master's degree preferably in risk management, engineering, law, international relations, business administration, finance and accounting, or a related field 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.

  
  

Desired

• Certifications in risk management (such as IRM or RIMS) and decision quality (such as SDRM Certificate) are considered an advantage

Required

• A minimum of seven (7) years (or more depending on academic credentials) of experience in the design, development, and deployment of risk management programs 
• Experience in working with senior leadership to support risk-informed decision-making, and driving cultural change in risk management 
• Experience in managing complex programmes or projects
• Experience in risk analysis
• Experience in facilitating cross-functional collaboration and managing projects

Desired

• Experience in the UN system, Multilateral Development Banks, or developing country contexts is a strong asset.
• Familiarity with multicultural and multilingual environments is desirable.
• Experience in embedding risk management into functional Policies on program and project management, procurement, investments and financial management, HR and IT
• Experience in using enterprise systems for risk management 
• Experience in evaluating and experimenting with artificial intelligence-based solutions to problem-solving 
• Field experience in globally operating development and/or project-based organizations

• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes. 
• Please note that UNOPS will at no stage of the recruitment process request candidates to make payments of any kind.
• Applications to vacancies must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date of the announcement. Applications received after the closing date will not be considered. 
• Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments. 
• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. 
• UNOPS evaluates all applications based on the skills, qualifications and experience requirements outlined in the vacancy announcement. We are committed to considering all candidates in a fair and transparent manner, and we value diverse perspectives and experiences, including those of women, indigenous and racialized communities, individuals with diverse gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.
• We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.

• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post. 
• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few mandatory courses (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. For more information on a retainer contract here. 
• For more details about the contract types, please click here.
• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda. 
• It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.