Risk Management Officer

Organizational Context

The World Food Programme (WFP) is the world's largest humanitarian organization, dedicated to saving lives and building a pathway to peace, stability, and prosperity. WFP assists over 115.5 million people in 120+ countries, providing food assistance in emergencies and supporting communities in overcoming challenges. Recognized with the Nobel Peace Prize in 2020, WFP works to ensure effective humanitarian assistance reaches millions globally.

Job Purpose

The Risk Management Officer will support the Risk and Compliance Unit in implementing robust risk management and compliance activities, particularly for OCHA-US funded programmes. This role involves providing analytical support for risk identification, assessment, monitoring, and reporting throughout the project lifecycle. The officer will contribute to data management, documentation review, and coordination with internal stakeholders to ensure alignment with organizational standards and strengthen accountability. Key responsibilities include maintaining risk registers, monitoring mitigation actions, supporting assurance processes, and contributing to reports on fraud and incidents. The position also supports due diligence for partners and vendors, and may extend expertise to the Food Security and Agriculture Sector (FSAS) in Lebanon, enhancing overall compliance and risk-informed decision-making across WFP's operations.

Responsibilities

The Risk and Compliance Officer plays a crucial role in safeguarding organizational integrity and operational effectiveness. Key responsibilities include the proactive identification, assessment, and monitoring of both operational and programmatic risks, providing essential analytical support for informed decision-making. This involves meticulously reviewing project proposals and program documents to ensure adequate reflection of risks and mitigation strategies, offering technical guidance aligned with corporate standards. The officer is tasked with maintaining and enhancing risk registers, diligently tracking the implementation of mitigation actions, and promptly flagging emerging risks, trends, and gaps. A significant duty involves contributing to accurate and timely reporting on sensitive cases such as fraud, misconduct, and major incidents through corporate systems. Furthermore, the role supports critical assurance processes, including audits and assurance exercises, ensuring effective follow-up on recommendations and maintaining structured documentation. The officer also leads the compilation, analysis, and presentation of risk, compliance, and performance data, fostering cross-unit collaboration to embed risk-informed decision-making and consistent risk management practices throughout the program cycle. Ensuring compliance with accountability requirements, including due diligence for partners and vendors, and supporting audit reviews are also core functions. Continuous improvement of risk-related records, systems, and databases, alongside providing guidance and capacity-building on risk management policies and processes to staff, are integral to the position. Finally, the officer is responsible for quality-assuring risk-related documentation and strengthening mechanisms for tracking and monitoring risk and compliance actions.

Work Experience

Requires at least one year of postgraduate experience after an advanced degree (MA) or three years after a first degree (BA). This experience should involve leading, undertaking, or contributing to risk management, mitigation practices, internal control reviews, audits, and performance plans within organizations.

Skills

Risk Management, Compliance, Data Analysis, Reporting, Documentation Review, Project Management Support, Audit Support, Oversight Mechanisms, Capacity Building, Process Improvement

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