Review of Collective Risk Management Systems across the Somalia Aid Community

The recently launched Transparency International (TI) report has reignited discussions on Somalia as one of the most corrupt countries in the world (Somalia is ranked at the bottom of the 2015 Transparency International Corruption Perception Index).  According to the report, corruption risks exist across the entire humanitarian programme cycle, including during the identification of local partners, awarding of contracts, pricing of contracts, negotiation of conditions of access, recruitment of staff, selection and targeting of aid recipients, selection of monitoring mechanisms and the approach to monitoring programmes.  Importantly, the report explores corruption related practices and incentives related to the various supporting and operational business procedures undertaken in Nairobi, which are contributing factors to the overall corruption risks. 

The report does mention progress made since 2011 to strengthen collective risk management systems, increase information sharing and develop complementary and harmonized approaches to address a number of risks identified in the TI report. The report recommends, among other recommendations, the need to develop shared approaches to managing risks, which may encourage transparent reporting.

As part of the review of, and response to the report, the UN, the Federal Government of Somalia, the NGO Consortium and donors have decided to commission an assessment of the impact and effectiveness of the collective  risk  management  systems established since 2011. The overall aim of this assessment is to assess advances made so far through these collective risk management practices, to identify challenges in implementing collective risk management solutions, to determine outstanding gaps, that may allow for corruption to take place in Somalia, and to provide recommendations to address such gaps.  

Objective:

  Specifically, the assignment seeks: 

• To review the overall objectives of the collective risk management systems established since 2011 by the aid community, including relevant support mechanisms, and to assess the extent to which these objectives have been or are being met (impact and relevance);
• To examine the factors of effectiveness in the collective risk management systems with a view to determining if these can be further strengthened and to document how collective risk management systems have worked in Somalia with concrete evidence on best practice and lessons learned across the aid community in managing risks.
• To determine gaps, structural weaknesses and constraints within the existing systems and the extent to which these systems may generate risks (including corruption risks) in Somalia;
• To determine gaps, structural weaknesses and constraints within the existing systems and the extent to which these systems may generate risks (including corruption risks) in Somalia;
• To assess feasibility and costs of addressing such gaps & constraints.  This should include the strategies employed by various agencies/organizations, the infrastructure in place to operationalize the strategies and budgetary allocations for their implementation.
• To provide concrete recommendations on how to improve collective risk management systems in Somalia with specific recommendations on how to manage corruption risks.

Expected Outcomes:

• Identification and dissemination of good practices based on stakeholder experiences collected through this exercise;
• Increased understanding of the role of risk management in key decision making processes and their corresponding costs during the programme cycle;
• Renewed commitment by senior leadership across the aid community to collective risk management approaches, including enhancement of information sharing between stakeholders;
• Enhanced collective risk management systems and approaches for more effective delivery in Somalia.

Deliverables:

• Inception report outlining the scope of work and the intended work plan which is to be submitted five days from commencement of contract.  The inception report will be discussed and agreed upon by the Multi Party Risk Working Group.
• Draft final report presented to the Multi Party Risk Working Group within two and a half months of commencement of assignment (with facilitation of workshop with Multi Party Risk Working Group).
• Final report presented and submitted to, within one week after, Multi Party Risk Working Group comments are received, with findings, analysis, follow up actions and recommendations

• At least 5 years relevant experience with advanced University Degree (Masters) in  planning, programming and monitoring preferably in conflict and post conflict environment.
• Risk Management processes and with knowledge of related best practices;
• Awareness of risk trends and risk management systems in post conflict countries;
• Research skills
• Thorough understanding of aid delivery across sectors in post conflict settings.

Professionalism:
Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; Remains calm in stressful situations.

Planning and Organizing:
Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; Allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; Uses time efficiently.

Communication:
Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; Listen to others, correctly interprets messages and responds appropriately; Tailors language, tone, style, and format to match the audience; Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

Creativity:
Actively seeks to improve programmes or services; Takes calculated risks on new and unusual ideas; thinks big and bold and if has a strong idea, takes it through to impact; Takes an interest in new ideas and new ways of doing things; Is not bound by current thinking or traditional approaches.

Flexible and Nimble:
 Be able to respond to other opportunities as they arise and able to deliver calmly, with no drama to shifting deadlines.

Required Skills:

• Project Management,
• Programme Management  
• Monitoring and Evaluation;
• Post-conflict experience
•  Risk Assessment 
• Research skills
• Multistage reporting.

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.  

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns.
Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

 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.

With over 7,000 personnel spread across 80 countries, UNOPS offers its partners the logistical, technical and management knowledge they need, wherever they need it.

A flexible structure and global reach means that we can quickly respond to our partners' needs, while offering the benefits of economies of scale. 

UNOPS - East Africa Hub

Located in Nairobi, Kenya, UNOPS  East Africa Hub manages a growing portfolio of engagements, including associated strategic and operational risks. The East Africa sub-region currently consists of an established operations center in South Sudan, an office in Somalia and a portfolio of engagements. This portfolio  includes  transactional projects in partnership with the Nairobi based UN Agencies UN-Habitat and UNEP, in addition to multiple ‘operational’ projects in Tanzania, Burundi, Uganda, Kenya and several Atlantic and Indian Ocean island states

Certification in Risk Management/ Professional Risk Manager (PRM) preferable