Risk Officer - NOB - Islamabad

The World Food Programme (WFP), the world’s largest humanitarian organization, is seeking a Risk Officer for its Islamabad, Pakistan office. This fixed-term position (Grade NOB) is initially for 12 months with the possibility of extension. The role focuses on strengthening risk management, assurance, and governance functions within the Country Office, supporting management in overseeing operational, fiduciary, compliance, and fraud risks. The Risk Officer will work closely with the Head of Risk Management to embed risk-informed decision-making across the Country and Provincial Offices, maintain the Risk Register, and ensure timely follow-up on mitigation measures and oversight recommendations. This position also involves supporting audit preparedness, fraud risk management, governance arrangements, and capacity-building activities. The vacancy is open exclusively to Pakistani nationals, with a strong encouragement for qualified women to apply.

Key Responsibilities

- Contribute to embedding risk management in planning and decision-making across the Country and Provincial Offices by regularly reviewing key risk indicators, risk appetite metrics, and maintaining the Risk Register with mitigation actions.

- Support management and functional units in conducting regular and ad hoc risk and control assessments, including risk identification, evaluation of internal controls, and development and monitoring of mitigation measures.

- Analyze and consolidate risk, incident, monitoring, and oversight data to identify trends and emerging issues, ensuring timely escalation to management and governance bodies.

- Assist in management accountability and assurance processes, including preparing risk and assurance reports and coordinating inputs for the annual Executive Director's Assurance Exercise.

- Support Country Office preparedness for internal and external audits, evaluations, and other assurance exercises by coordinating documentation, briefings, management responses, and follow-up on recommendations.

- Maintain oversight and management action tracking systems to ensure audit and review recommendations are assigned, updated, evidenced, and closed appropriately.

- Support implementation of WFP’s Anti-Fraud and Anti-Corruption framework, including fraud risk assessments, awareness activities, and management-led fact-finding processes.

- Develop and deliver training and awareness programs on risk management, internal control, assurance, and anti-fraud measures for Country and Provincial Office staff and cooperating partners.

- Oversee governance arrangements and documentation, including committees, standard operating procedures, and governance tools, ensuring they remain current and well-documented.

- Review significant operational or program arrangements from a risk and assurance perspective, identifying control gaps and supporting mitigation strategies.

- Provide advice to management on emerging risks, control weaknesses, and assurance issues, preparing concise analyses, briefing notes, and dashboards.

- Support corporate risk management processes such as Business Continuity Management and Organizational Conflicts of Interest, serving as focal point when assigned.

- Perform other related duties within the scope of expertise.

Required Qualifications

- Advanced university degree in Business/Public Administration, Finance, Economics, Law, International Development, Risk Management, Audit, Political/Social Sciences, or a related field; or a first university degree with two additional years of relevant professional experience or training.

- Minimum of three years of postgraduate professional experience in risk management, internal controls, audit/assurance, compliance, or related areas, preferably within humanitarian or development contexts.

- Experience supporting organizational risk assessments, internal control reviews, audit or assurance processes, and tracking of management actions.

- Proven ability to analyze qualitative and quantitative data and prepare concise risk or management reports.

- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with sound judgment and discretion in handling sensitive information.

- Good understanding of risk management, internal control, governance, and assurance principles.

- Excellent drafting, communication, coordination, and facilitation skills, with the ability to engage effectively across functional teams and management.

- Fluency in English (Level C) and proficiency in the duty station’s language if different.

Preferred Qualifications and Benefits

- Experience with fraud risk management, investigations, governance, or business continuity is an asset.

- Previous experience with WFP or other UN agencies and familiarity with WFP’s operational and corporate risk frameworks is advantageous.

- Knowledge of governance, organizational structures, and strategies of international organizations.

- Experience in program/project management, monitoring, reporting, and results measurement.

- WFP offers a competitive benefits package including salary, social security contributions, medical insurance, annual and parental leave, and opportunities for professional development through training, coaching, mentorship, and internal mobility.

- WFP is a Nobel Peace Prize Laureate and promotes a diverse, inclusive, and multicultural work environment committed to equal employment opportunities.

Applicants are invited to apply through WFP’s online recruitment portal. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. All educational documents must be attested by the Higher Education Commission (HEC). WFP is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for candidates with disabilities and maintains a strict no-fee policy throughout the recruitment process.