Compliance Specialist (Advisor)

Organizational Setting

FAO Afghanistan is investing across all 34 provinces of Afghanistan in resilience reinforcing actions that focus on protecting agriculture livelihoods and local ecosystems, boosting local production of nutritious foods and cash-incomes, and safeguarding critical agriculture sectoral development gains achieved over the past couple of decades through revitalizing rural markets and economy. In particular, FAO provides a combination of humanitarian and basic needs/non-humanitarian assistance to female and male farmers and herders across Afghanistan in the agriculture, livestock, irrigation and natural resources sub-sectors through its projects and programs, as described in the 2024 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan (HNRP) and the United Nations Strategic Framework for Afghanistan (UNSFA) 2023-2027, specifically under UNSFA Priority 2 Economic Opportunities and Resilient Livelihoods.

Reporting Lines

The Compliance Specialist (Advisor) reports to the FAOR/Deputy FAOR. In the execution of his/her duties, s/he will work closely with the relevant business owners (Office of the Inspector General (OIG), Office of Strategy, Programme and Budget (OSP) Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) team, Logistics Services Division (CSL), Human Resources Division (CSH) etc) and will be supported, as required, by the OER Compliance Team at headquarters.

Technical Focus

Strengthen the Complaints and Feedback Mechanism for FAOAF. The Compliance Specialist will work as an Advisor on establishing a fully functional centralized Call Center based in Kabul. The Call Centre will focus on both proactive and reactive measures in terms of addressing and responding to beneficiaries and other stakeholders concerns related to FAO Afghanistan activities in all the provinces.
 

Tasks and responsibilities

•     Coordinate the preparation of corporate internal tools such as the Risk Log, Internal Control Questionnaire, Fraud Prevention Plan and other relevant data with the corresponding personnel in the country office. Monitor and update this  and other corporate dashboard information periodically, no less than every six months, as appropriate;
•     Advise and recommend to the FAOR, the appropriate strategies to strengthen controls and mitigate potential risks for adequate compliance with FAO operational rules, regulations, codes and internal policies and procedures, and monitoring the effectiveness of controls.
•     Support the establishment of processes and procedures for adequate compliance with resources partner's agreed fiduciary requirements, such as anti-terrorism clauses, due diligence review, and Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA).  
•     Coordinate and oversee the Call Centre, which includes PSEA, ensuring that personnel involved are properly trained and follow the appropriate rules and standards 
•     Liaise and coordinate with the different workstreams within the Office and sub-offices (Programme, Operations, Finance, Administration, Procurement, Logistics etc) to identify critical risks; develop and disseminate control checklists and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to strengthen internal control as appropriate and ensure integration of risk management, compliance, and quality assurance actions into operations and programme activities.
•     Support the FAOR with regard to reporting to Office of Inspector General (OIG) in line with FAO policies and procedures, ensure timely follow-up.
•     Support FAOR with regard to reporting to donor on compliance related matters in line with FAO policies and related agreements.
•     Support the implementation and monitoring of audit-related Management Action Plans in line with FAOR requests (and act as the focal point for internal and external audit and investigation missions).
•     Advise and recommend the measures necessary to ensure compliance with FAO’s policy framework and responsibilities on PSEA and Accountability to Affected People (e.g 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, and call centers, etc. depending on office structure).
•     Lead due diligence reviews of Implementing Partners and build up local capacity for this.
•     Contribute to capacity building of the local office (s) to mitigate risk and ensure compliance, in collaboration with the relevant business owners.
•     Participate in UN Country team compliance/risk management technical working groups, as appropriate.
•     Participate in the OER compliance focal point network for exchange of experiences, challenges and good practices on compliance and internal control issues and contribute, as appropriate, to the promotion of online guidance and good practices in this area.
•     Participate in the selection process and supervise the team as may be required.
•     Perform other related duties as required

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•     Advanced university degree from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO in business/public administration, economics or any other discipline relevant to the work of the Organization; Consultants with bachelor`s degree need two additional years of relevant professional experience
•     Five years of relevant experience public and/or private sectors related to programming, planning and technical cooperation, including evaluation, audit, compliance and control functions, especially in countries that are vulnerable to disaster or other emergency risks. 
•     Excellent written and spoken English with full proficiency (level C). Knowledge of a second FAO language will be an asset.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

•     Excellent experience in designing database for Complaints Feedback Mechanism.
•     Excellent communication, writing and presentation skills in English.
•     Excellent knowledge of MS Office and analytical skills, including quantitative analysis, use of BI tools, Excel and MS Access.
•     Ability to work cohesively within a diverse team.
•     Excellent time management and ability to plan and prioritize and ensure timely deliverables.
•     Strong team player and ability to work under minimum supervision.
•     Demonstrated capacity to plan, advise and guide planning processes on monitoring related issues.
•     Demonstrated ability to implement a variety of analytical methodologies and techniques.
•     Demonstrated ability to liaise with multiple agencies and effectively building an understanding and partnership with other UN agencies, I/NGOs, and governmental organizations and other stakeholders.