Due Diligence Specialist, Multiple positions

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 newly created Quality Assurance Group (QAG) and will form part of a small, expert due diligence team which is also under formation. Given the scale and breadth of UNOPS global operations it is critical that new and existing partners, donors and clients are aligned with the UN core values, and the due diligence team therefore has a significant role in assuring that new and existing relationships are supportive of UNOPS reputation and risk appetite. 

Whilst the wider structure of the QAG is still under development,  the primary responsibilities of the Due Diligence Specialist are expected to include partnering with colleagues across Headquarters and the Regions to deliver and assure due diligence reviews for UNOPS and supporting the implementation of UNOPS due diligence policies and procedures. 

Purpose and Scope of Role

Under the overall guidance of the Due Diligence Advisor, the Due Diligence Specialist will have the following duties:

Policy Development Support

• Support the Due Diligence Advisor in developing and maintaining due diligence policy, including: financial crime (Anti-Money Laundering (AML), Counter-Terrorist Financing (CTF), bribery and corruption) due diligence policy

• Work with colleagues in the due diligence unit to maintain and promote all aspects of due diligence policy and guidance (including reputational, environmental, ethical and financial)

• Working in partnership with Risk and other relevant business units, support the development of a risk taxonomy and possible  risk responses that will be used by business units to assess and manage engagement risks identified via due diligence.

Administer and operationalize the UNOPS Due Diligence Policy

• Conduct due diligence reviews (e.g. financial crime, reputational, sustainability, ethical), research and screenings of prospective and existing funding sources, partners, clients and other relevant entities in accordance with the UNOPS legal framework. Assess risks on the basis of these screening outcomes, and in relation to the wider business context and business risk

• Provide support, advice and escalation for due diligence screening conducted regionally or within business units or other functional partners. 

• Draft and consolidate due diligence and screening reports with a special focus on financial crime risks for UNOPS. 

• Co-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.

• Assist in the establishment and management of long-term agreements or other contractual instruments with specialised due diligence providers 

• Provide support and assistance, as required, to the oversight committees which review and oversee due diligence activities (e.g. vendor reviews, engagement assurance )

• Administer corporate intelligence service providers and tools to facilitate AML/CTF 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 in particular AML / CTF) 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.

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.

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 in risk-based due diligence, or anti-fraud and anti-corruption, or risk management and mitigation, or compliance, or implementation of internal control systems, or other related fields is required.

• Experience in supporting the development of  anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism policies and internal standard operating procedures for International Financial Institutions (IFIs) or in the financial services industry is desirable

• 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 Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS) designation is desirable.

• Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) or Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) certification is an asset.

Language requirements:

• Fluency in English (writing, reading and speaking) is required;

• Intermediate level of another UN language (preferably Spanish, French, and/or Arabic) is required.

Contract type: ICA
Contract level: ICA2
Contract duration: 12 months, Renewal is subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance.

• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.

• 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. 

• Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority 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.

Terms and Conditions 

• 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. For more information on a retainer contract 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.