Risk Officer - NOB

Job Title: Risk Officer

Grade: NOB

Type of contract: Fixed Term

Duration: 12 months (with possibility of extension)

Duty Station: Islamabad - Pakistan

Link to Apply: ********************************************

This Vacancy Announcement is for Pakistani Nationals Only. 

Note: This vacancy announcement will also be used to build a roster of prequalified applicants for future opportunities within the same job profile at the current or lower level in Pakistan.

Qualified women are strongly encouraged to apply.

TERMS & CONDITIONS

WFP offers a competitive benefits package including salary, social security contribution, medical insurance, annual leave, parental leave, among other benefits.

Important: All educational documents must be verified/attested by the Higher Education Commission (HEC). Appointment will be subject to submission of HEC-verified degrees.

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT:

WFP Pakistan is implementing its Country Strategic Plan 2023-2027 which focuses on transitioning from responding to the 2022 floods to positioning WFP as a partner of choice for the Government of Pakistan for capacity strengthening and with a new focus on supporting their development priorities. WFP Pakistan also implements one of the largest stunting prevention programmes in the world, for the Government of Pakistan, which provides nutritional and financial support through the first 1000 days, targeting pregnant and breastfeeding women and children less than 2 years of age.

JOB PURPOSE:       

The purpose of the assignment is to strengthen the Country Office's risk management, assurance and governance functions and support management in maintaining effective oversight of key operational, fiduciary, compliance and fraud risks. The position will support the Head of Risk Management in embedding risk-informed decision-making across the Country Office and Provincial Offices, maintaining the CO Risk Register and related risk and oversight tools, and ensuring systematic follow-up of mitigation measures, management actions and oversight recommendations.

The position will also support Country Office preparedness for and follow-up to internal and external audits and other assurance exercises, including the annual Executive Director's Assurance Exercise; contribute to fraud risk management and implementation of WFP's Anti-Fraud and Anti-Corruption framework; and support the maintenance of governance and accountability arrangements, including relevant SOPs, delegations and committees.

The incumbent will work closely with functional units and Provincial Offices to identify emerging risks and control weaknesses, support risk and control assessments, and ensure that findings from monitoring, audits, investigations and other assurance activities are appropriately captured, escalated, tracked and addressed. The incumbent will report to the Head of Risk Management and collaborate closely with relevant CO units, Provincial Offices and, as appropriate, Regional Bureau and Headquarters counterparts.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Contribute to embedding risk management in planning and decision-making across the Country Office and Provincial Offices, including through regular review of key risk indicators, risk appetite metrics and emerging risks, and maintenance of the Country Office Risk Register and associated mitigation actions.
• Support management and functional units in conducting regular and ad hoc risk and control assessments, including identification and evaluation of risks, assessment of the design and effectiveness of internal controls, development of proportionate mitigation measures, and monitoring of their implementation.
• Analyse and consolidate risk, incident, monitoring and oversight information to identify trends, emerging issues and areas outside risk appetite, and support timely escalation to management and relevant governance mechanisms.
• Support management accountability and assurance processes, including preparation of risk and assurance reports and completion of the annual Executive Director's Assurance Exercise, coordinating, reviewing and consolidating inputs from relevant units.
• Support Country Office preparedness for internal and external audits, evaluations and other oversight or assurance exercises, including coordination of documentation, briefings and management responses, and systematic follow-up of resulting recommendations and agreed management actions.
• Maintain the Country Office oversight and management action tracking mechanisms, ensuring recommendations and observations arising from audits, Regional Bureau/HQ oversight, management reviews and other assurance activities are assigned, regularly updated, appropriately evidenced and followed through to closure.
• Support implementation of WFP's Anti-Fraud and Anti-Corruption (AFAC) framework and Zero Tolerance for Inaction, including fraud risk assessments, awareness and capacity strengthening, analysis of fraud risk indicators and trends, and support to management-led fact-finding and related follow-up, as appropriate.
• Support the development and delivery of risk management, internal control, assurance and AFAC training and awareness activities for Country Office and Provincial Office personnel and, where appropriate, cooperating partners.
• Oversee and maintain the Country Office's centralized governance arrangements and documentation, including the Compendium of Committees, SOP repository and other assigned governance tools, ensuring that these remain current and appropriately documented.
• Support the review of significant operational or programme arrangements from a risk and assurance perspective, identifying control gaps and supporting functions to develop appropriate mitigating measures.
• Support the Head of Risk Management in providing advice to management on emerging risks, control weaknesses and assurance issues, and prepare concise analysis, briefing notes, dashboards and other management information as required.
• Support Business Continuity Management (BCM), Organizational Conflicts of Interest (OCI), and other corporate risk-management processes, including serving as focal point or alternate focal point where assigned.
• Perform other related duties within the level of expertise.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Education: Advanced university degree in Business/Public Administration, Finance, Economics, Law, International Development, Risk Management, Audit, Political/Social Sciences or another relevant field; or a first university degree with 2 additional relevant professional experience and/or training.

DESIRED EXPERIENCES FOR ENTRY INTO THE ROLE:

A minimum of three years of relevant postgraduate professional experience in risk management, internal controls, audit/assurance, compliance, programme management or related areas, preferably in a humanitarian or development context.

• Experience supporting organizational risk assessments, internal control reviews, audit or assurance processes and tracking of management actions.
• Experience analysing qualitative and quantitative information and preparing concise risk, assurance or management reports.
• Experience with fraud risk management, investigations/fact-finding support, governance or business continuity would be an asset.
• Previous WFP/UN experience or familiarity with WFP's operational and corporate risk-management framework would be an advantage.
• Knowledge of governance, organizational structures, strategy and major initiatives of international organizations.
• Experience in programme/project management.
• Has conducted monitoring and reporting activities, has knowledge of results hierarchy, performance metrics and measurement.   
• Has participated in risk analysis and risk mitigation strategies development and/or implementation.
• Has participated in conversations with other units on impact, timing or planning initiatives, using analytical, evaluative and problem-solving skills as well as resourcefulness, initiative, good judgement, tact and diplomacy.
• Has contributed to risk management activities, including assessing and recommending effective internal controls and mitigation actions, preferably in organizations that use modern enterprise risk management frameworks, techniques and systems.

Knowledge & Skills:

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify control weaknesses, assess risks and formulate practical recommendations.
• Good understanding of risk management, internal control, governance and assurance principles.
• Strong drafting, communication, coordination and facilitation skills, with the ability to work across functional areas and engage effectively with management.
• Ability to manage multiple follow-up processes and maintain accurate risk, oversight and management-action tracking systems.
• High degree of discretion and sound judgement when handling sensitive or confidential matters.

Language: Fluency (level C) in English language and the duty station’s language, if different.

HOW TO APPLY

To be considered, interested candidates are invited to apply via (https:********************************************). Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.