Risk 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 people 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 work tirelessly to ensure effective humanitarian assistance reaches millions of people globally. WFP is committed to diversity and inclusion, encouraging qualified candidates from all backgrounds to apply. The organization has received numerous accolades, including the Nobel Peace Prize in 2020, highlighting its significant contributions to global humanitarian efforts.

Job Overview:
The Risk Officer position at WFP is crucial for strengthening the Country Office's risk management, assurance, and governance functions. The role involves supporting the Head of Risk Management in embedding risk-informed decision-making across the Country Office and Provincial Offices. The Risk Officer will maintain the Country Office Risk Register and related tools, ensuring systematic follow-up of mitigation measures and management actions. This position also entails preparing for internal and external audits, contributing to fraud risk management, and maintaining governance arrangements. The Risk Officer will work closely with various functional units to identify emerging risks and control weaknesses, ensuring that findings from audits and other assurance activities are effectively addressed. This role is vital for ensuring that WFP's operations in Pakistan are conducted with the highest standards of integrity and accountability, ultimately supporting the organization's mission to provide humanitarian assistance.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Risk Officer will be responsible for several key accountabilities, including:

• Embedding risk management in planning and decision-making across the Country Office and Provincial Offices by reviewing key risk indicators and maintaining the Country Office Risk Register.
• Supporting management and functional units in conducting regular and ad hoc risk and control assessments, identifying risks, and developing mitigation measures.
• Analyzing risk, incident, and oversight information to identify trends and support timely escalation to management.
• Preparing risk and assurance reports and coordinating inputs for the annual director" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Executive Director's Assurance Exercise.
• Ensuring preparedness for internal and external audits, including coordinating documentation and management responses.
• Maintaining oversight and management action tracking mechanisms to ensure recommendations from audits and reviews are followed through to closure.
• Supporting the implementation of WFP's Anti-Fraud and Anti-Corruption framework, including conducting fraud risk assessments and awareness activities.
• Developing and delivering training on risk management and internal controls for personnel.
• Reviewing significant operational arrangements from a risk perspective and advising management on emerging risks and control weaknesses. 1
• Supporting Business Continuity Management and other corporate risk-management processes.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree in Business/Public Administration, Finance, Economics, Law, International Development, Risk Management, Audit, Political/Social Sciences, or a related field. Alternatively, a first university degree with two additional years of relevant professional experience and/or training is acceptable. The role requires strong analytical and problem-solving skills, a good understanding of risk management and internal control principles, and the ability to communicate effectively across functional areas. Candidates should demonstrate discretion and sound judgment when handling sensitive matters, as well as the ability to manage multiple processes and maintain accurate tracking systems.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced university degree in relevant fields such as Business/Public Administration, Finance, Economics, Law, International Development, Risk Management, Audit, or Political/Social Sciences. A first university degree with additional relevant professional experience is also acceptable. All educational documents must be verified by the Higher Education Commission (HEC) in Pakistan, and appointment will be subject to submission of HEC-verified degrees.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of three years of relevant postgraduate professional experience in risk management, internal controls, audit/assurance, compliance, or programme management, preferably in a humanitarian or development context. Candidates should have experience supporting organizational risk assessments, internal control reviews, and audit processes. Familiarity with fraud risk management and governance is advantageous, as is previous experience with WFP or similar organizations. Candidates should also have experience in programme/project management and knowledge of performance metrics and measurement.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory, and proficiency in the local language (Urdu) is also required. Candidates should demonstrate strong communication skills in both languages, enabling effective engagement with diverse stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
This position is a fixed-term contract for 12 months, with the possibility of extension. It is specifically for Pakistani Nationals only, and qualified women are strongly encouraged to apply. WFP offers a competitive benefits package, including salary, social security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security contributions, medical insurance, and various types of leave. The organization emphasizes the importance of an inclusive work environment and supports individuals with disabilities by providing reasonable accommodations throughout the recruitment process. All applications must be submitted through WFP's online recruiting system, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.