Chief Risk Officer

Job Identification (Reference Number): 12709
Position Title: Chief Risk Officer (P)
Duty Station City: Geneva
Duty Station Country: Switzerland
Grade: P-5
Contract Type: Fixed-term (1 year with possibility of extension)
Recruiting Type: Professional
Vacancy Type: Vacancy Notice
Initial duration: 1 year with possibility of extension
Closing date: 11 February 2025

Introduction:
Established in 1951, IOM is a Related Organization of the United Nations, and as the leading UN agency in the field of migration, works closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners. IOM is dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It does so by providing services and advice to governments and migrants.

IOM is committed to a diverse and inclusive work environment. Read more about diversity and inclusion at IOM at www.iom.int/diversity

Applications are welcome from first- and second-tier candidates, particularly qualified female candidates as well as applications from the non-represented member countries of IOM. For all IOM vacancies, applications from qualified and eligible first-tier candidates are considered before those of qualified and eligible second-tier candidates in the selection process.

For the purpose of this vacancy, the following are considered first-tier candidates:
1. Internal candidates
2. External female candidates
3. Candidates from the following non-represented member states:

• Antigua and Barbuda
• Bahamas
• Barbados
• Comoros
• Congo (the)
• Cook Islands
• Federated States of Micronesia
• Guinea-Bissau
• Holy See
• Iceland
• Kiribati
• Lao People's Democratic Republic
• Madagascar
• Marshall Islands
• Namibia
• Nauru
• Palau
• Saint Kitts and Nevis
• Saint Lucia
• Samoa
• Sao Tome and Principe
• Solomon Islands
• Suriname
• Tonga
• Tuvalu
• Vanuatu

Second-tier candidates include:
All external candidates, except candidates from non-represented member states of IOM and female candidates.

Responsibilities:
Implement change management strategies as part of the risk management plan to ensure that the risk management process becomes integrated into the systems of management in IOM. Provide oversight of implementation of IOM’s Risk Management Framework and Policy (IN/213).
Provide leadership for the organization’s adoption of best risk management practices and the continuous improvement of its internal control environment. Ensure risk management considerations are integrated into decision-making, monitoring and evaluation, intervention planning design, results-based management, and reporting to relevant internal and external stakeholders.
Manage the development and implementation of the unit’s annual work programme and budget. Develop a strategic vision and promote a managed risk approach - specifically ensuring that risk management is embedded into strategic and operational planning processes and in decision-making processes through risk guidelines.
Ensure that the risk management policy, standards, and guidelines remain current, appropriate, and relevant. Recommend the adoption of risk appetite statements and protocols for reporting and escalation and de-escalation of risk exposures to the leadership of the organization.
Develop and support the network of risk management focal points. Develop and promote institutional policies, guidance, good practices and lessons learnt related to risk management.
Provide supervision of, and coordinate the work of, the Regional Risk and Compliance Officers.
Provide the secretariat for, develop the agenda of and ensure the effective functioning of (and follow-up to) IOM’s Risk Management Committee; and support the work of, and provide the secretariat for, the Audit and Oversight Advisory Committee (AOAC).
Coordinate the implementation of oversight recommendations to improve risk management, and quality of outputs, and ensure that effective accountability and internal control frameworks support operational efficiency; coordinate the work with IOM’s oversight entities, and report on specific trends and crosscutting matters.
Promote synergies and collaboration between units within the Office of Strategy and Organizational Performance to ensure cross-cutting risks are effectively addressed.
Review efficiency and effectiveness of IOM structures, procedures and capacities in high-risk locations.
Develop and implement an effective training strategy to build the capacity of IOM staff in relation to risk management.
Develop and implement an effective risk management communications strategy.
Based on organisational risk trends, make recommendations to the Director, Office of Strategy and Organizational Performance, in the effort to drive a risk thought process into the strategic and cross-functional decision making.
When required, coordinate the administration and implementation of the IOM risk management information system.
Provide advice to and maintain the Director General and Deputy Directors General updated on emerging risk trends on a regular basis.
Provide the Standing Committee on Programmes and Finance (SCPF) with updates on Risk Management at the frequency set by IOM’s Council.
Ensure effective representation and input by IOM into UN system-wide work on risk management and programme criticality, including in the context of the High-Level committee on Management (HLCM) and the UN Programme Criticality Framework.
Ensure that appropriate and consistent risk management is integrated into the project development, management and reporting process.
Act as custodian of the IOM Risk Management Plan, Risk Management Policy, Risk Register and Standards, and the Framework.
Develop understanding of reporting requirements, design reporting formats, and produce appropriate reports.
Provide thought leadership in risk management.
Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Qualifications:
EDUCATION
Master’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, Commerce or a related field from an accredited academic institution with ten years of relevant professional experience; or,
University degree in the above fields with twelve years of relevant professional experience.
Professional certification as Chartered Accountant or Certified Public Accountant, and Certified Internal Auditor is an advantage. Specific professional certification in Risk Management such as CRMA (Certified Risk Management Assurance) or other related certifications is an advantage.

EXPERIENCE
Experience in financial management, accounting, budgeting, internal control assessment, internal audit and/or external audit;
Experience in designing a risk management information system;
Advanced facilitation skills, particularly of risk assessment and root cause analysis;
Complete and practical understanding of ISO 31000:2009;
Experience in change management and project risk management;
Experience in liaising with governmental and diplomatic authorities as well as with international institutions; and,
Experience with international institutions and in particular the UN System Networks;

SKILLS
Knowledge and understanding of IOM/UN rules, regulations, and Instructions on resource management; and,
Knowledge of International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) and SAP (PRISM) is an advantage.

Languages
IOM’s official languages are English, French, and Spanish. All staff members are required to be fluent in one of the three languages.
For this position, fluency in English is required (oral and written). Working knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, and Spanish) is an advantage.

Proficiency of language(s) required will be specifically evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments.

Required Competencies
IOM’s competency framework can be found at this link Competencies will be assessed during the selection process.

Values - all IOM staff members must abide by and demonstrate these three values:
Inclusion and respect for diversity: Respects and promotes individual and cultural differences. Encourages diversity and inclusion.
Integrity and transparency: Maintains high ethical standards and acts in a manner consistent with organizational principles/rules and standards of conduct.
Professionalism: Demonstrates ability to work in a composed, competent and committed manner and exercises careful judgment in meeting day-to-day challenges.
Courage: Demonstrates willingness to take a stand on issues of importance.
Empathy: Shows compassion for others, makes people feel safe, respected and fairly treated.

Core Competencies – behavioural indicators Level 3
Teamwork: Develops and promotes effective collaboration within and across units to achieve shared goals and optimize results.
Delivering results: Produces and delivers quality results in a service-oriented and timely manner. Is action- oriented and committed to achieving agreed outcomes.
Managing and sharing knowledge: Continuously seeks to learn, share knowledge, and innovate.
Accountability: Takes ownership for achieving the Organization’s priorities and assumes responsibility for own actions and delegated work.
Communication: Encourages and contributes to clear and open communication. Explains complex matters in an informative, inspiring, and motivational way.

Managerial Competencies – behavioural indicators Level 3
Leadership: Provides a clear sense of direction, leads by example and demonstrates the ability to carry out the Organization’s vision. Assists others to realize and develop their leadership and professional potential.
Empowering others: Creates an enabling environment where staff can contribute their best and develop their potential.
Building Trust: Promotes shared values and creates an atmosphere of trust and honesty.
Strategic thinking and vision: Works strategically to realize the Organization’s goals and communicates a clear strategic direction.
Humility: Leads with humility and shows openness to acknowledging own shortcomings.

Other Notes
Internationally recruited professional staff are required to be mobile.
Any offer made to the candidate in relation to this vacancy notice is subject to funding confirmation.
This selection process may be used to staff similar positions in various duty stations. Recommended candidates endorsed by the Appointments and Postings Board will remain eligible to be appointed in a similar position for a period of 24 months.
Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, security clearances. Subject to certain exemptions, vaccination against COVID-19 will in principle be required for individuals hired on or after 15 November 2021. This will be verified as part of the medical clearance process.
Vacancies close at 23:59 local time Geneva, Switzerland on the respective closing date. No late applications will be accepted.
IOM does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process (application, interview, processing, training or other fee). IOM does not request any information related to bank accounts.
IOM only accepts duly completed applications submitted through the IOM e-Recruitment system (for internal candidates link here). The online tool also allows candidates to track the status of their application.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.