What we do

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) works worldwide to provide humanitarian assistance to people affected by conflict and armed violence. We take action in response to emergencies and at the same time promote respect for international humanitarian law. We are an independent and neutral organization, and our mandate stems essentially from the Geneva Conventions of 1949. We work closely with National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and with their International Federation in order to ensure a concerted, rational and rapid humanitarian response to the needs of the victims of armed conflict or any other situation of internal violence. We direct and coordinate the international activities conducted in these situations.

Context

Engaging with Development Actors (DAs) -and other institutional donors- requires the ICRC to negotiate, track and process issues related to compliance (including sexual misconduct), fraud and corruption linked to the activities they support. Indeed, the concept of compliance risk management also applies to activities conducted by the ICRC in partnerships with others in the field, be it suppliers, members of the Movement and other operational partners (e.g. hospitals, universities, other NGOs). Beyond compliance with DAs’ and donor’s expectations and contractual commitments, managing risks of working in partnerships is essential to protect the ICRC’s reputation, its staff and affected population it assists.

To improve the way we identify, assess, document and monitor risks of working in partnerships, the Ethics, Risk and Compliance Office co-led with FAD the development of the global SOP on Third Party Partners due diligence (TPP DD) and further developed the Assurance in partnerships strategy (the strategy) approved in June 2020 by the Code of Conduct Steering Committee. The effective and efficient implementation of the TPP DD procedures and strategy requires strong coordination and collaboration between the various stakeholders (LOG, FAD, MOUV, OPS, REM) involved at HQ, in the field and the SSC.

The ERCO Due Diligence specialist contributes to accelerate the TPP DD implementation and related strategy and will equip ERCO, and the ICRC more broadly, to enable and regularly report on its effective global implementation.

Purpose of the position

The Due Diligence specialist is part of the Ethics Risk and Compliance Office and coordinates and ensures the effective implementation of the ICRC global Third-Party Partners due diligence procedures and related policies, strategies and processes with the different internal stakeholders to enhance the organization ability to manage risks of working in partnerships as well as delivering on related compliance commitments with Development Actors and other donors.

Relationships

• Internally, interacts with ERCO REM Compliance reporting manager, Head of Assurance-Global and other ERCO management team members, Process Owners in Logistics, Finance, Movement, Resource Mobilization and Operations, field officers and coordinators managing partnerships in the field, REM- Corporate partners due diligence specialist, RES-CTM unit, Heads of Compliance units and Internal Audit.

• Externally, may interact with relevant development actors and other donors’ auditors along with the REM Compliance reporting manager and Head of ERCO.

General duties

• Leads the implementation of ICRC Third Party Partners Due diligence procedures and related strategies and policies;
• Reports on their implementation;
• Coordinates alignment between various stakeholders and practices;
• Provides guidance and training to users;
• Update and adjust Due diligence SOP and supporting tools with users feedback and new compliance requirements;
• Provides subject-matter expertise for the review and negotiation of due diligence related contract clauses with Developing Agencies and other institutional donors.

Main duties & responsibilities

• Coordinates and monitors the implementation of the ICRC global third-party partners (TPP) due diligence procedure and related strategies (ICRC Assurance in partnerships strategy) and policies (ICRC Code of Conduct polices) with the key business process owners (in the Finance, Logistics and Movement divisions and Operations department); ensures global internal alignment and integrates external (i.e. donor/partner) requirements, all the while securing process effectiveness and efficiency;
• Acts as a subject-matter expert and provides advice and guidance to ERCO REM compliance reporting manager for the negotiation and review of contractual clauses and communication to DA and other donors on the topic of TPP due diligence and related policies and strategies;
• Updates the global due diligence Standard Operating Procedure and templates with users’ feedback, key changes in compliance requirements and integration of new donors’ contractual terms;
• Collects data on due diligence and prepares regular reporting with tracking of implementation using KPIs for ICRC management, governing bodies, DAs and other donors. Escalates significant issues to ERCO management and leads remediating actions;
• Contributes to the development of systems and tools supporting the effective and efficient implementation of due diligence and data collection;
• Develops and delivers communication and training material adapted to various audiences to raise awareness and competencies of staff and managers responsible to apply TPP due diligence procedures;
• Collaborates with relevant process owners to ensure effective integration of related key processes including partners screening procedures (against sanctions list), partnership agreements compliance clauses management, partnership compliance risk monitoring, partners capacity-building, management of misconduct involving partners, as well as communication to back-donors as relevant;
• Works with process owners in the Finance, Logistics, Resource Mobilization and Movement divisions to ensure due diligence key processes risks are identified and that appropriate mitigation measures, including internal controls, are in place and documented;
• Contributes to the development and review of control testing and monitoring plans by RES_CTM to provide assurance on the TPP due diligence procedures and controls effectiveness.

Additional duties

• May be involved in the annual assessment of the institutional risks of “working with others” and documentation and follow-up on risk-mitigating action;
• May be involved in relevant working groups;
• May be involved in relevant projects.

Education and experience required

• University degree in Business, Law and/or Administration or equivalent;
• Professional certification in risk or internal control (e.g. Certified professional accountant, certified internal auditor);
• At least 10 years‘ overall professional experience;
• At least 6 years’ work experience in risk management and /or internal control and due diligence;
• At least 2-3 years’ experience in the humanitarian sector (experience with the ICRC is a plus);
• International experience required;
• Computer proficiency;
• Fluent command of English; knowledge of French a plus.

Additional information

• Location: Geneva
• Type of contract: Maximum-term contract
• Activity rate: 100%
• Estimated start date: ASAP
• Application deadline: Sunday, the 7th of March 2021

The ICRC values diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive working environment. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates.

How to apply:

Apply through our career site here: https://bit.ly/2NOpWRX