Risk Management Officer

Organizational Context

UNHCR Ethiopia hosts a large refugee population in a complex operational and political environment. The operation faces risks related to integrity, fraud, corruption, and operational efficiency, compounded by insecurity in several regions. There is a critical need for comprehensive risk management and due diligence to ensure effective responses and protection for forcibly displaced and stateless people.

Job Purpose

The Risk Management Officer will strengthen UNHCR's risk culture across the Ethiopia Operation, reporting to the Representative. The role involves promoting risk management at the country level, liaising with colleagues, and focusing on five priority areas: enhancing decision-making, supporting integrity and ethical conduct, overseeing compliance, mitigating high-risk areas, and engaging stakeholders. The incumbent will analyze and assess risks related to partnerships, projects, policy compliance, and operational practices, making recommendations aligned with the operational context. Active participation in the Risk Management Network, sharing lessons learned, best practices, and reporting are also key aspects of this position, contributing to an effective and accountable response to the needs of forcibly displaced and stateless people.

Responsibilities

All Risk Management Officer positions are expected to actively contribute to UNHCR’s risk management strategy and policy, fostering a stronger risk culture. This includes providing support and guidance on risk management and oversight matters, ensuring colleagues understand their responsibilities and accountabilities. The role involves facilitating the integration of risk management, ethical, and integrity considerations into all aspects of planning, decision-making, monitoring, and reporting. Key duties include coordinating the risk management process (identification, analysis, assessment), escalating risks beyond acceptable levels, and leading the implementation of mitigation actions. Maintaining an updated Risk Register and promoting its use as an active tool are essential. The officer will coordinate and deliver training and capacity-building initiatives on risk management for UNHCR teams and partners, monitor training participation, and advocate for ERM best practices. Support will be provided for coordinating and following up on recommendations from oversight entities, analyzing findings, and producing summary reports with actionable recommendations. Undertaking support missions, representing the risk management function in meetings, and performing other related duties are also part of the role. For in-situ posts, this includes facilitating risk review exercises, assessing methodologies, and proposing preventive measures. Bureau posts involve coordinating and quality assuring risk reviews within the region, contributing to monitoring plans, and analyzing regional risk trends. HQ posts focus on facilitating the broader use of risk management methodology, supporting quality assurance for operational risk registers, and contributing to global risk trend analysis.

Work Experience

Minimum of 6 years of relevant experience, including experience in risk management, quality assurance, and monitoring. Experience with Enterprise Risk Management frameworks is essential. Demonstrated ability to handle complex issues, strong analytical and problem-solving skills, excellent communication, interpersonal, and writing skills are required. Experience in developing and delivering training, collaboration, and team building is also necessary.

Skills

Risk Management Enterprise Risk Management frameworks Quality Assurance Monitoring Analytical Thinking Problem-Solving Communication Skills Interpersonal Skills Writing Skills Training Delivery Collaboration Team Building

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