Compliance Specialist, Head of the Social and Environmental Compliance Unit (SECU) in Bonn

The Compliance Specialist, Head of SECU, leads and manages investigations into alleged non-compliance with social and environmental standards and policies within UNDP. The role includes supervising SECU personnel, managing investigations, coordinating outreach, and ensuring adherence to best practices in independent accountability mechanisms.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage SECU and supervise the work of personnel assigned to SECU, as well as consultants.
• Plan the work of SECU personnel and distribute workload among SECU personnel appropriately.
• Provide senior expertise and advice to SECU personnel so that the work of SECU is performed in the most professional, efficient and timely manner.
• Appraise the work performance of SECU personnel.
• Coordinate the day-to-day work of SECU.
• Support the intake of complaints and evaluate their eligibility.
• Manage compliance review teams.
• Recruit personnel for SECU as necessary.
• Oversee planning, evidence gathering, analysis and report-writing for investigations into social and environmental compliance.
• Provide oversight into the planning and strategic decision-making in compliance reviews to ensure that all appropriate lines of inquiry are identified, and resources are used effectively and efficiently to factually determine the issues relevant to a compliance review.
• Work closely with the Lead Compliance Officer and case teams to ensure the quality of compliance reviews throughout the investigation lifecycle, identifying risks, methodological issues, evidentiary gaps, and resource requirements.
• Undertake frequent, and at times extended missions to UNDP offices worldwide, including areas with hazardous working conditions.
• Manage SECU’s database and ensure that case files are up to date on cases under compliance review.
• Propose action to close matters where appropriate.
• Work with SECU personnel to ensure that compliance reports are drafted to a high standard, providing an objective and factual summary of the investigation, with soundly based conclusions and recommendations supported by all evidence obtained in the course of the investigation.
• Lead SECU’s engagement with the Corporate Stakeholder Response Mechanism (CSRM), ensuring that grievances are channeled appropriately between SECU and CSRM and that there is effective coordination between SECU and CSRM throughout any jointly processed complaints.
• Liaise with the UNDP executive office to enhance case effectiveness, promote endorsement of recommendations, and monitor implementation of recommendations.
• Conduct in reach to UNDP business units to promote understanding and implementation of UNDP’s social and environmental commitments, and the role of SECU.
• Ensure appropriate lines of communication and knowledge sharing to promote lessons learned to UNDP regarding SECU’s case and advisory portfolio.
• Participate in OAI and stakeholder meetings, providing updates on SECU as requested.
• Prepare and disseminate outreach materials to inform stakeholders.
• Develop outreach strategies and implement plans for each key stakeholder group.
• Liaise with IAMs of other international organizations and with other offices as appropriate.
• Liaise with relevant internal and external stakeholder groups, including complainants, civil society organizations, international development organizations, independent accountability mechanisms, and other relevant offices in UNDP.
• Liaise with the compliance/investigation sections of other international organizations.
• Lead SECU’s work as Secretariat of the United Nations Accountability Mechanism Network (UNAMnet).
• Represent SECU at the Independent Accountability Mechanism Network (IAMnet).
• Jointly develop, maintain, and update internal guidelines, methodologies, guidance notes, and standard operating procedures together with the Lead Compliance Officer.
• Maintain awareness of developments in accountability mechanisms, social, environmental and human rights due diligence and related requirements, compliance review methodologies, reprisal risk management, and remedy practice.
• Jointly develop and periodically update SECU's approach, methodology, and criteria for proactive and self-initiated investigations together with the Lead Compliance Officer.
• Contribute to the ongoing development of professional practices within SECU.
• Participate in the implementation of personal learning and training development plan.
• Perform other assignments or tasks as determined by the Deputy Director (Investigations).

Requirements

• Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in International Development or related areas such as Globalization and Sustainable Development, Human Ecology or Law or Compliance/Investigations with a focus on the Environment, Human Rights or Cultural Anthropology 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.
• A minimum of 7 years (with master’s degree) or 9 years (with bachelor’s degree) of progressively responsible professional experience in International Development or Law or Compliance/Investigations with a focus on accountability or oversight in relation to social and/or environmental issues, including human rights, gender equality, biodiversity conservation, community health and safety, cultural heritage, displacement and resettlement, or indigenous peoples rights is required.
• Additional formal professional training in a range of compliance/investigation related areas is desired.
• Experience working with, or a detailed knowledge of, social and environmental accountability mechanisms is desired.
• Experience working with local communities and civil society organizations is desired.
• Experience in communications, outreach, and stakeholder engagement is desired.
• Working experience in the role of a leader or supervisor in managing varied caseloads of work relating to law or compliance or investigations is desired.
• Prior experience with UN/ UNDP will be an asset.
• Fluency in English is required.
• Fluency in French, Spanish or other UN official languages is desired.

Skills

• International Development
• Environmental Compliance
• Social Compliance
• Human Rights
• Gender Equality
• Biodiversity Conservation
• Community health and safety
• Cultural Heritage Conservation
• Displacement and Resettlement
• Indigenous Peoples Rights
• Compliance Investigations
• Accountability Mechanisms
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Outreach Communication
• Leadership
• Supervisory Abilities
• Case Management
• UNDP Procedures Knowledge
• Legal Compliance
• Investigation Management

Languages

English, French, Spanish

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