Risk and Compliance Officer

Job Posting Organization:
The World Food Programme (WFP) is the world's largest humanitarian organization, dedicated to saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build pathways to peace, stability, and prosperity for individuals recovering from conflict, disasters, and the impacts of climate change. Established in 1961, WFP operates in over 80 countries, employing thousands of staff members who are committed to the mission of alleviating hunger and improving nutrition. WFP's vision emphasizes diversity, inclusion, and the importance of a healthy work environment, where employees are selected based on merit and are encouraged to contribute to the organization's goals. WFP has been recognized for its efforts, notably being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2020, which underscores its commitment to humanitarian work and global cooperation. The organization actively promotes a culture of learning and development, providing employees with opportunities for training, mentorship, and career advancement across its various global offices.

Job Overview:
The Risk and Compliance Officer position is a critical role within the Risk Management Unit of WFP Ethiopia, focusing on enhancing the organization's risk management framework and ensuring compliance with established standards. The officer will be responsible for supporting the implementation of risk monitoring and control processes, contributing to annual planning, and ensuring compliance with key committees. This role requires a proactive approach to identifying and mitigating risks associated with partnerships, vendor management, and operational activities. The officer will work closely with various stakeholders to promote interagency collaboration on risk management and fraud prevention, ensuring that WFP's operations are conducted with integrity and transparency. The ideal candidate will possess a strong understanding of risk management principles and demonstrate the ability to work effectively in a dynamic and challenging environment, contributing to the overall mission of WFP to provide effective humanitarian assistance.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead the Country Office's third-party due diligence processes for partners and vendors, ensuring compliance with WFP and UN standards, including vetting requirements and sanctions reviews.
• Participate in spot checks and due diligence reviews on the use of the UN Partner Portal, ensuring data accuracy and validation with stakeholders.
• Attend Vendor Management Committees to support the review process for new vendor inclusion on WFP rosters.
• Ensure that all offices undergo Business Continuity Plan (BCP) scenario testing and that BCP and Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan (EPRP) documents are regularly updated.
• Provide training on business continuity plans and other contingency-related documents.
• Participate in risk compliance and internal controls assessment missions to ensure efficiency and identify areas for improvement.
• Develop compliance checklists for high-risk units and ensure internal control self-assessments are carried out.
• Support the implementation of the Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) framework in Ethiopia, including updates to the CO Risk Register and monitoring of high-risk areas.
• Conduct fraud risk assessments for high-risk process areas or new initiatives. 1
• Deliver ERM training to staff and third parties as required. 1
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Head of the Risk Management Unit.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Bachelor's degree in risk management, accounting, business administration, law, or related fields. Additionally, they should have a minimum of 3 years of relevant professional experience in risk management, audit, or oversight within an international humanitarian organization. Strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work independently while meeting demanding deadlines are essential. Proficiency in MS Office applications (Word, PowerPoint, Excel) is also required, along with practical knowledge of risk data analysis in humanitarian and development contexts.

Educational Background:
A Bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as risk management, accounting, business administration, law, or related studies is required for this position. This educational background provides the foundational knowledge necessary for understanding the complexities of risk management and compliance within the humanitarian sector.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 3 years of relevant professional experience in risk management, audit, or oversight roles, particularly within international humanitarian organizations. Candidates should demonstrate a strong capacity for delivering high-quality work under pressure and possess practical experience in risk data analysis and compliance assessments.

Languages:
Fluency in English, with strong writing skills, is mandatory for this position. While proficiency in other UN languages is not required, it is considered an asset that may enhance a candidate's application.

Additional Notes:
This position is classified as an International Consultant Level 1 and is expected to last for a duration of 11 months. The role is based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, with regular travel to WFP's field offices anticipated. WFP is committed to providing an inclusive work environment and encourages applications from diverse candidates. The organization does not charge any fees during the recruitment process and emphasizes the importance of a transparent and fair hiring process.