Risk and Compliance Specialist, Kabul, Afghanistan, P-3

The Risk and Compliance Specialist post is located in the UNFPA Afghanistan Country Office. The incumbent works under the direct supervision of the International Operations Manager with a dotted reporting line to the Deputy Representative, and in collaboration with the Humanitarian Coordinator and the Resource Mobilization and Partnership Specialist. The Compliance Specialist post is part of the Programme compliance, Risk management and Quality Assurance Team (PCRMQA) which ensures effective, accountable and transparent utilization of financial resources for the proper implementation of agreed activities under the UNFPA Afghanistan CP. The Position provides guidance, technical support, and oversight ensuring that resources are utilised appropriately and in compliance with relevant policies and requirements. The role is not involved in implementation and the running of operations. 

As part of the PCRMQA team, the Risk and Compliance Specialist works closely with and supports UNFPA programme officers and the operations team, to ensure risks, including fraud risks are managed appropriately and programmes are implemented effectively. The team assesses risks and recommends to the Country Office leadership, assigns or implements, oversees and follows up on mitigating measures to strengthen CO internal controls in a high risk environment. The Compliance Specialist reports directly to the International Operations Manager, with second supervisory linkage with Deputy Representative (Head of Programme) and works closely with programme units, including the area offices.

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 who will defend them courageously and with full conviction.

UNFPA is seeking candidates who transform, inspire, and deliver high-impact and sustained results and ensure effective external relations, communications, and 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.

In a complex operating environment, you will play a vital role in strengthening risk management, including fraud risk management and ensuring operational and programme compliance in support of the UNFPA programme in Afghanistan.

Advanced university degree in business administration, accounting, finance, law or a related field. 

Fluency in English is required. Working knowledge of other UN languages is desirable.

This position offers an attractive remuneration package including a competitive net salary plus health insurance and other benefits as applicable.

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 [link removed] to learn more.

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.