Director, Chief Risk Officer

Job Posting Organization:
The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) is an international financial institution and a specialized United Nations agency established to eradicate rural poverty and hunger. IFAD focuses on investing in rural people by financing programs and projects that enhance agricultural productivity and increase rural incomes. The organization advocates for policies that contribute to rural transformation at local, national, and international levels. IFAD operates with a mission to monitor and improve the risk management process across its various risk-generating areas, ensuring that it supports the strategic objectives and sustainable financial position of the Fund. The Office of Enterprise Risk Management (RMO) is a key component of IFAD, responsible for implementing and maintaining an effective Enterprise Risk Management program that aligns with IFAD's strategic vision and mandate. The RMO consists of two main units: the Operational Risk and Programme Delivery Risk Management Unit and the Financial Risk Management Unit, and it plays a crucial role in overseeing risk exposures and reporting on IFAD's risk profile.

Job Overview:
The Director RMO and Chief Risk Officer is a senior executive position responsible for leading the risk management teams and overseeing all aspects of risk management within IFAD. This role requires strategic leadership, innovation, and management skills to ensure the effective delivery of the division's program of work within the allocated budget. The incumbent will supervise risk managers and serve as the senior executive in charge of the second-line-of-defence risk team, which assesses aggregate risks across all domains, including strategic, financial, and operational risks. The Director will also be responsible for developing and implementing an adequate Enterprise Risk Management Framework and ensuring that risk management practices are integrated into strategic planning. This position involves significant representation and external relations responsibilities, requiring the Director to build partnerships with various institutions and represent IFAD in official committees and meetings.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The key responsibilities of the Director, RMO and Chief Risk Officer include providing intellectual and technical leadership in risk management, leading the independent risk management team, ensuring the development and implementation of risk-related policies, overseeing the risk management program across the organization, chairing the Financial Risk Management Committee and the Non-Financial Risk Committee, strengthening IFAD's risk culture, managing the division's annual work program and budget, and fostering collaboration with other teams on risk matters. The Director will also be responsible for championing discussions on risk-related issues with stakeholders, ensuring the defense and improvement of IFAD's credit rating, and managing the integration of risk concepts into strategic planning.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree from an accredited institution, with a PhD being an asset. Relevant fields of study include Finance, Accounting, Business Management, Risk Management, Banking Economics, or other related areas. Risk management certifications such as IIA, ACFE, or CFA are also advantageous. Additionally, candidates should have substantive relevant experience exceeding 15 years at an international level, with progressively responsible management experience in senior positions within international organizations, financial institutions, or development finance-related organizations. A thorough understanding of the international financial and risk landscape for Multilateral Development Banks and International Financial Institutions is essential.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced university degree from an accredited institution. A PhD would be considered an asset. Candidates should have degrees in relevant areas such as Finance, Accounting, Business Management, Risk Management, Banking Economics, or similar fields. It is important that the degree is from an institution listed on the World Higher Education Database (WHED).

Experience:
Candidates should have extensive experience, exceeding 15 years, in relevant fields at an international level. This experience should include working in international organizations, private or public international financial institutions, ministries of finance, central banks, or other development finance-related organizations. The role requires progressively responsible management experience in senior positions, demonstrating a thorough understanding of the international financial and risk landscape, particularly in relation to Multilateral Development Banks and International Financial Institutions.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory, with a proficiency level of 4 (Excellent). Desirable additional languages include French, Spanish, and/or Arabic at a proficiency level of 3 (Good).

Additional Notes:
This position is part of a senior management team and involves significant responsibilities in terms of strategic leadership and risk management oversight. The role may require candidates to take a written test, deliver a presentation, and participate in interviews as part of the selection process. IFAD is committed to equal opportunity employment and does not discriminate based on various factors including ethnicity, gender, or disability. Candidates should be aware of fraudulent job offers and should only trust communications from official IFAD email addresses ending in @ifad.org.