Governance, Risk and Compliance Specialist, Supply Chain Management Unit, P-4, Copenhagen (209474)

The Position: The Governance, Risk and Compliance Specialist (Manager) position is located in the Governance, Risk and Compliance (GRC) team within Pillar 3 – Quality management in the Supply Chain Management Unit (SCMU). The position reports directly to the Head of Pillar 3 – Quality Management Advisor. The Governance, Risk and Compliance Specialist (Manager) will work closely with other SCMU colleagues, Office of the Executive Director, other HQ Business Units, the Regional Offices and the Country Offices and with a number of external partners. The Governance, Risk and Compliance Specialist (Manager) will support the Head of Pillar 3 – Quality Management Advisor to lead and oversee the implementation of SCMU's governance, risk management, internal control and compliance framework, including its contribution to the UNFPA Supply Chain Quality Management System. This role is pivotal in fostering a culture of risk management and ensuring the integrity and quality of supplies and services within UNFPA's supply chain operations. How you can make a difference: UNFPA is the lead United Nations agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is intended, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. The UNFPA Strategic Plan for 2026-2029 articulates the organization’s response to a complex global environment, providing a roadmap for resilience and renewal. It is designed to accelerate the implementation of the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. This mandate is pursued through a focus on four interconnected outcomes: ending the unmet need for family planning; ending preventable maternal deaths; ending gender-based violence and harmful practices; and adapting to demographic change through evidence and rights-based policies. In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, we need principled and ethical staff who embody these international norms and standards and will defend them courageously and with full conviction. UNFPA is seeking candidates who transform, inspire, and deliver high-impact sustained results, ensuring effective external relations, communications, partnership-building and resource mobilization in a rapidly changing development and funding landscape. We need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them, and who commit to delivering excellence in programme results. UNFPA occupies a unique position in the sexual and reproductive health commodity ecosystem as a critical player in supply chain management, a leading public procurer of sexual and reproductive health commodities, a trusted partner to national governments, and one of the few organizations with the scale and partnerships necessary to build accountability for last mile delivery. The UNFPA Supply Chain Management Unit (SCMU) is self-funded and was made operational in January 2022. It is tasked with ensuring that UNFPA is able to effectively and efficiently support the delivery of life-saving reproductive health products and other programme supplies to the end user when and where they are needed. To achieve this, it is important to strengthen the capacity of governments and implementing partners to ensure coordination, end-to-end visibility and accountability on all supply chain and logistics management related activities, in particular for programme supplies, across all UNFPA programmes. Job Purpose: The Governance, Risk and Compliance Specialist (Manager) leads the GRC function within UNFPA’s Supply Chain Management operations, providing strategic advice to senior management on governance, risk, internal controls, compliance and organizational performance. The position ensures that GRC principles are embedded in decision-making and management processes and drives targeted initiatives to strengthen accountability, resilience, efficiency and continuous improvement across SCM. Main Task and Responsibilities The Governance, Risk and Compliance Specialist (Manager) is responsible for strengthening the quality, governance, risk management and control environment of SCMU, contributing to effective oversight and delivery of UNFPA operations and programs. A. Supply Chain GRC Framework, Governance and Quality Maintain and continuously improve an integrated GRC framework for SCMU, including governance, enterprise risk management, internal controls, compliance, assurance and supply chain governance, and map the GRC tools required for effective operations. Define and maintain standards in the form of policies, procedures, guidelines and relevant tools to ensure consistent monitoring, evaluation, and improvement of the quality of products and services at every stage of UNFPA’s supply chain. Proactively detect supply chain-related risks and collaborate with the Office of the Executive Director, the Oversight Advisory Committee, Regional Offices, and Country Offices to address them. Manage and coordinate supply chain management (SCM) activities across all organizational levels by clearly defining roles, responsibilities, ensuring Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, and Informed (RACI) ownership across process components, while driving continuous improvement initiatives to enhance supply chain quality, efficiency, and overall performance. Provide oversight of the governance processes and Secretariat arrangements for relevant Supply Chain governing bodies - Vendor Review Committee (VRC), Contract Review Committee (CRC), etc. - and monitor the implementation and follow-up of their recommendations and decisions. B. Audit, Assurance and Oversight Coordinate and support SCMU's engagement with internal and external audit, oversight and assurance functions, ensuring effective preparation, coordination, follow-up and closure of audit and assurance recommendations. Maintain oversight of management actions arising from audits, reviews and other assurance activities, identify recurring or systemic issues, and provide advice to management on opportunities to strengthen controls and organizational performance. C. Capacity Strengthening Developing and implementing UNFPA's capacity-strengthening initiatives. Advocate for the training of supply chain professionals Coach and mentor UNFPA personnel to strengthen their capacity to provide informed technical guidance in the supply chain management function. D. Thought Leadership, Knowledge Sharing and Advisory Champion UNFPA's supply chain thought leadership through actively engaging with industry experts, participating in relevant forums, contributing to research and publications, and representing UNFPA's expertise in various supply chain management discussions and initiatives. Foster an environment for knowledge retention and sharing and the creation of a community of practice for supply chain. Provide counsel and support on the full range of supply chain management issues, incorporating best practices and continuous improvement across UNFPA. E. Partnerships and Resource Mobilization Prominently contribute to the development of UNFPA’s value proposition and relationships with donors and partners. Support SCMU’s collaboration with the Division for External Relations to diversify funding opportunities. Support SCMU’s oversight of resource mobilisation proposals for quality assurance purposes F. Collaboration and Representation Establish effective collaboration with relevant stakeholders within UNFPA to ensure coordinated and effective tailored solutions for each area of intervention. Lead the fostering of relationships with key supply chain partners with the purpose of increasing the efficiency of UNFPA’s supply chain function. Represent SCMU and UNFPA in meetings related to supply chain management functions particularly in the High-Level Committee on Management (HLCM) Procurement Network. Support and contribute to relevant inter-agency initiatives, including High-Level Committee on Management (HLCM) activities, in partnership with the Office of the Chief, ensuring alignment with overarching organizational priorities and facilitating inter-pillar coordination. G. Team Management Create a conducive working environment aligned with UNFPA's 2030 People Strategy. Lead and supervise the team. H. Carry out any other duties as may be required by the Chief, SCMU. Qualifications and Experience Education: Advanced university degree required. An advanced degree in Supply Chain Management, Risk Management, Business Administration, Law, Public Health disciplines, or other related fields is an added advantage. The following are additional assets: Advanced knowledge of governance, risk management, internal control, and compliance frameworks, including their development, implementation, monitoring, and continuous improvement. Knowledge of legal and regulatory principles relevant to organizational governance, contractual obligations, compliance, and risk management. Understanding of health systems governance and the broader sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) ecosystem, including the roles of governments, UN agencies, donors, implementing partners, civil society, and private-sector actors, is an asset. Specialist training on internal investigation, grants management and grant compliance, Anti-Corruption, Due-Diligence, Accountability, and/or Enterprise Risk Management. Expert knowledge in Product Quality Assurance practices, including experience in technical evaluations, quality control, and monitoring. Familiarity with international quality standards and regulations for health commodities. Additional qualification in supply chain management certification/qualification from Association for Supply Chain Management’s (ASCM, formerly known as APICS) SCOR-P) or Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply’s MCIPS, Project Management qualifications and certifications such as PRINCE2® Foundation and Practitioner certifications, PMP® or CAPM® from Project Management Institute (PMI), key certifications in insurance management such as Certified Insurance Management Professional (CIMP), Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU), Fellow, Life Management Institute (FLMI), Certified Risk Manager (CRM), and Associate in Risk Management (ARM) and/or professional certifications in quality management systems, such as ISO 9001 would be an asset. Knowledge and Experience: A minimum of seven (7) years of relevant, progressively responsible experience in supply chain-related Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) at the international level within one or more of the following: International NGOs or similar global organizations, Donors such as the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the European Union, the UK's Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) or the United Nations system or equivalent, with an understanding of their compliance and reporting requirements. Regulatory bodies or other organizations for example within police services; with a focus on governance, risk management, and compliance. Practical experience in supply chain management, including exposure to procurement, logistics, supplier management, or supply chain processes is an asset. Out of the seven (7) years of relevant, progressively responsible experience: At least two (2) years of hands-on experience working in development and/or complex humanitarian operating environments in low-resource countries. Candidates must demonstrate a deep understanding of the unique challenges and regulations specific to these contexts. This field experience is required. At least one (1) year of hands-on experience working in global security risk management and/or security analysis is required. Demonstrated expertise in change management, with a strong track record in guiding teams through significant organisational changes. Experience in managing a team, particularly within a remote and/or matrix organizational structure is required. Strong interpersonal skills and capability to develop and maintain broad diversified partnerships is required. Professional written and spoken presentation skills, including for the development of reports, presentations, and the ability to synthesize complex supply chain documents for both technical and non-technical audiences is required. Experience using Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems is required. Basic knowledge of the principles and operational aspects of sexual and reproductive health commodities in global development and humanitarian setting is an asset. Languages: Fluency in English is required. Working knowledge of another official UN language is an asset. Required Competencies: Values: Exemplifying integrity, Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system, Embracing cultural diversity, Embracing change Core Competencies: Achieving results, Being accountable, Developing and applying professional expertise/business acumen, Thinking analytically and strategically, Working in teams/managing ourselves and our relationships, Communicating for impact Functional Competencies: Organizational leadership and direction, Ensuring operational effectiveness and accountability for results, External and internal communication and advocacy for results mobilization, Managing the organization's financial resources, Providing governance, risk management and assurance advice across supply chain and related operational processes, Aligning human resources management with the organization’s strategic direction Managerial Competencies (if applicable): Providing strategic focus, Engaging staff and partners, Leading, developing and empowering people/creating a culture of performance, Making decisions and exercise judgement Compensation and Benefits: This position offers an attractive remuneration package including a competitive net salary plus health insurance and other benefits as applicable. UNFPA Work Environment: UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, diversity, integrity and healthy work-life balance. We are committed to ensuring gender parity in the organization and therefore encourage women to apply. Individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community, minority ethnic groups, indigenous populations, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups are highly encouraged to apply. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. UNFPA promotes equal opportunities in terms of appointment, training, compensation and selection for all regardless of personal characteristics and dimensions of diversity. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is at the heart of UNFPA's workforce - click here to learn more. Disclaimer: Selection and appointment may be subject to background and reference checks, medical clearance, visa issuance and other administrative requirements. UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process and does not concern itself with information on applicants' bank accounts. Applicants for positions in the international Professional and higher categories, who hold permanent resident status in a country other than their country of nationality, may be required to renounce such status upon their appointment.