Compliance Specialist - Part-time (50%) Home-based

Background

Office/Unit/Project Description   

The Office of Audit and Investigations (OAI) reports to the Administrator and is responsible for internal audit and investigations services to UNDP and its affiliated entities.

The Social and Environmental Compliance Unit (SECU) is located in OAI and is UNDP’s social and environmental compliance review mechanism, conducting independent investigations to ensure UNDP adheres to its own social and environmental standards and procedures, in particular the Social and Environmental Standards (SES).

SECU responds to complaints that UNDP may not be meeting its social and environmental commitments. UNDP established the Social and Environmental Compliance Unit (SECU) to ensure accountability to individuals and communities. 

OAI seeks to engage a suitably skilled and experienced international professional under the International Personnel Services Agreement (IPSA) to support OAI in matters relating to Social and Environmental Compliance of UNDP. 

Key Responsibilities 

The Compliance Specialist will lead case investigations related to compliance with Social and Environmental policies, as assigned, and generally support the work of the Lead Compliance Officer and Compliance Specialist (Head of Unit) for UNDP’s Social and Environmental Compliance Unit. 

Scope of work   

• Receive and review eligibility of requests for investigation, as assigned by the SECU Compliance Specialist (Head of Unit) under the technical guidance of the Lead Compliance Officer. 
• Lead case investigations related to compliance with Social and Environmental policies, as assigned. 
• Provide advice about the Social and Environmental Compliance Unit to potential requesters. 
• Provide advice to OAI Management and UNDP staff about the application of UNDP Social and Environmental standards to UNDP projects. 
• Lead on research and writing of compliance cases as assigned. 
• Mentor and work with SECU staff members assigned to the case team. 
• Participate in weekly SECU team calls, with SECU staff and other SECU Compliance Officers. 
• Advise and support with expert technical analysis on policy development within SECU, as requested. 
• Provide analysis and inputs in the preparation of outreach and communications materials about SECU and its functions. 
• Provide analysis and inputs for the preparation of annual reports on SECU. 
• Support engagement with the Stakeholder Response Mechanism. 
• Participate in planning and execution of field missions, including travel to UNDP project locations in often dynamic and challenging locations. SECU field missions never run in locations determined prohibitively unsafe by the UN Department of Safety and Security. 
• The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Institutional Arrangement 

The Compliance Specialist will be tasked by the SECU Compliance Specialist (Head of Unit) under the technical guidance of the Lead Compliance Officer, SECU. All work products produced by the Compliance Specialist as a result of this engagement are owned by UNDP and shall be submitted to SECU. 

Competencies 

Core

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies 

Minimum Qualifications of the Successful IPSA 

Min. Academic Education            

• An advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Law, Economics, Environmental or International Development, or related field is required. OR 
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas stated above, in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Min. years of relevant Work experience                

• Minimum of seven (7) years (with master’s degree) 9 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience in implementing or evaluating social and environmental impact assessment practices and procedures is required. 
• Expertise in the social and environmental safeguard policies of international institutions is required. 

Desired additional skills and competencies          

• Experience in stakeholder engagement, including communities is desirable. 
• Knowledge of UNDP’s Programming and Operations Policies and Procedures, as well as the UNDP Social and Environmental Standards is desirable. 
• Expertise in the purpose, design and use of accountability mechanisms is an advantage.
• Experience conducting or managing investigations related to compliance with social and environmental safeguards, particularly within international institutions is an asset.
• Experience developing outreach, awareness, or training materials related to social and/or environmental compliance is an asset.

Required Language(s) (at working level)                

• Fluency in oral and written English is required. 
• Fluency in French, Spanish Arabic, Hindi, Russian, Malay/Bahasa, Swahili, Portuguese, Vietnamese, Bengali, or Persian is desirable 

Travel: 

As and when travel for business purposes is required, OAI will notify the IPSA Compliance Officer(s) and agree upon the trip details and arrange for DSA, flights, and terminal expenses as per UNDP Policy on IPSA. IPSA Compliance Officers will need to complete UNDSS SAFE Training, if they have not done the equivalent already, ideally prior to deploying on any field mission. Note that SECU/OAI IPSAs are entitled to the same security and health protocols and assurances as staff members when on field missions. Please review the UNDP Policy on IPSA travel for details about entitlements and standard of accommodation and contact SECU/OAI to obtain more relevant information prior to signing any contract, if desired. 

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination. 

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles. 

Right to select multiple candidates

UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

Scam alert

UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. For further information, please see www.undp.org/scam-alert.