Join UNICEF Pakistan as a Risk and Compliance Officer (NO-1) in Islamabad, Pakistan. Support HACT implementation and vendor risk management. Apply by May 5, 2026.
Job Overview: Risk and Compliance Officer (592708)
| Category | Details |
| Job Title & Level | Risk and Compliance Officer, NO-1 |
| Location | Islamabad, Pakistan |
| Engagement Type | Temporary Appointment (TA) |
| Functional Domain | Operations |
| Supervision | Risk and Compliance Specialist (NOC) |
| Posting Date | 28 April 2026 |
| Closing Date | 05 May 2026 (Pakistan Standard Time) |
Core Responsibilities & Technical Focus
| Pillar | Focus Areas |
| Primary Mandate | Reinforcing operational probity and internal systems to ensure programmatic value for children. |
| Key Functional Pillars | • Vendor Risk Management • Compliance Surveillance • Implementation of the Harmonized Approach to Cash Transfers (HACT) |
| Operational Goals | Refining vendor protocols, tightening compliance frameworks, and safeguarding organizational resources. |
Candidate Requirements
| Requirement Type | Criteria |
| Academic Foundation | Bachelor’s degree in Risk Prevention, Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or Auditing (ACCA/CA-Inter preferred). |
| Professional Experience | Minimum of one year in financial governance, auditing, internal controls, or fraud deterrence. |
| Technical Skills | Knowledge of HACT frameworks, compliance audits, and risk mitigation methodologies. |
| Linguistic Needs | Fluency in English and Urdu (Mandatory). |
| Desired Assets | • Experience in audit firms or field assignments. • Background in humanitarian/fragile contexts. • Proficiency in another UN language. |
Organizational Culture & Standards
| Category | Expectations |
| CRITAS Values | Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability. |
| Behavioral Traits | Strategic foresight, ethical acuity, adaptability, and the ability to navigate ambiguity. |
| Safeguarding | Zero tolerance for exploitation, abuse, harassment, and discrimination. |
| Inclusion Policy | Open to all genders, ethnicities, and abilities; supports neurodiversity and provides workplace accommodations. |
Job Reference: 592708
Engagement Type: Temporary Appointment
Station: Islamabad, Pakistan
Functional Domain: Operations
Across more than 190 nations and territories, UNICEF operates as a formidable guardian of childhood—preserving young lives, defending inherent rights, and nurturing latent potential from infancy through the turbulent corridors of adolescence. This is not mere institutional rhetoric; it is a relentless pursuit etched into every initiative.
Within UNICEF, vocation transcends occupation. It is less a profession and more a summons—an enduring commitment to advocate for every child, everywhere.
A Workplace That Shapes Purpose
UNICEF is not simply an employer—it is a crucible for growth. Professionals here are afforded a spectrum of developmental avenues, both personal and technical, enabling them to sharpen their purpose while contributing to communities on a global scale. The organizational ethos thrives on diversity, inclusion, and a shared zeal for meaningful impact, all complemented by a compelling remuneration framework.
For Every Child: A Future Reimagined
The Role — Where Precision Meets Purpose
UNICEF Pakistan seeks a meticulous and forward-thinking Risk & Compliance Officer to reinforce operational probity within a landscape often marked by complexity and elevated risk.
This position offers more than routine oversight—it presents a platform to recalibrate transparency, fortify internal systems, and ensure that programmatic interventions deliver measurable value to children across Pakistan.
Operating under the stewardship of the Risk and Compliance Specialist (NOC), the selected candidate will serve as a linchpin in safeguarding resources and elevating accountability. The role orbits around refining vendor risk protocols, tightening compliance frameworks, and advancing the execution of the Harmonized Approach to Cash Transfers (HACT), thereby enabling streamlined and credible programme delivery.
Core Functional Pillars
- Vendor Risk Management and Compliance Surveillance
- Implementation Support for the Harmonized Approach to Cash Transfers (HACT)
For a granular understanding of responsibilities, candidates are encouraged to review the official Terms of Reference document.
Candidate Profile — What It Takes
Essential Credentials
- Academic Foundation: A Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in disciplines such as Risk Prevention, Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, Auditing, or allied fields (ACCA/CA-Inter qualifications carry weight).
- Professional Exposure: A minimum of one year immersed in domains like financial governance, auditing ecosystems, compliance mechanisms, internal controls, fraud deterrence, or vendor risk analytics.
- Technical Dexterity: Familiarity with compliance audits, HACT frameworks, reporting structures, and risk mitigation methodologies.
- Linguistic Proficiency: Command over both English and Urdu is indispensable.
Additional Merits
- Fluency in another UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish)
- Experience within audit firms or field-based assignments
- Prior engagement in humanitarian or development-oriented environments, particularly within fragile contexts
Behavioral Compass — The UNICEF Ethos
The organizational backbone rests upon the CRITAS framework: Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability. These are not ornamental values—they are operational imperatives.
The role demands individuals who can:
- Cultivate and sustain strategic partnerships
- Exhibit ethical acuity and self-awareness
- Deliver outcomes with tangible impact
- Navigate ambiguity with composure
- Embrace innovation and adaptive change
- Think with strategic foresight
- Collaborate fluidly across teams
Inclusion Without Exception
UNICEF’s workforce mirrors the diversity it champions. Applications are welcome irrespective of gender, ethnicity, disability, or socio-economic background. The organization actively supports inclusivity, offering accommodations, parental benefits, and equitable opportunities for all, including neurodivergent individuals.
Safeguarding Standards
UNICEF enforces a stringent zero-tolerance doctrine against misconduct, including exploitation, harassment, discrimination, and abuse of authority. Every candidate undergoes rigorous background scrutiny, ensuring alignment with the organization’s ethical fabric.
Appointments are contingent upon medical clearance, documentation verification, and compliance with vaccination protocols, including COVID-19 requirements where applicable.
Important Considerations
- Government employees must relinquish their current roles before onboarding
- No recruitment fees are levied at any stage
- Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted
- UNICEF retains discretion to withdraw offers under unmet compliance conditions
Application Timeline
Posted On: 28 April 2026
Closing Date: 05 May 2026 (Pakistan Standard Time)
Final Reflection
For those seeking more than a paycheck—those drawn to impact rather than inertia—this role offers a rare intersection of governance, accountability, and humanitarian service. It is an invitation to stand at the confluence of risk management and child advocacy, where each decision reverberates far beyond spreadsheets and systems.
Explore further and take the first step toward a purpose-driven career.
