Officer, Risk Management

Organizational Context

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, with a network of 191 member National Societies. The overall aim of the IFRC is “to inspire, encourage, facilitate, and promote at all times all forms of humanitarian activities by National Societies with a view to preventing and alleviating human suffering and thereby contributing to the maintenance and promotion of human dignity and peace in the world.”  The IFRC works to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people before, during and after disasters, health emergencies and other crises.

The IFRC is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (Movement), together with its member National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The work of the IFRC is guided by the following fundamental principles: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality.

 The ongoing Ukraine crisis, which escalated with Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, has resulted in the most devastating humanitarian crises in Europe since World War II. The war has led to extensive loss of life, mass displacement, and widespread destruction of infrastructure and severe disruption to access to essential services impacting nearly every sector of society. As of late 2024, Ukraine is facing significant humanitarian needs in multiple sectors, including energy, health, food security, education, shelter, and protection. In areas where hostilities have subsided, families are struggling to access basic services such as drinking water, food, health care services, livelihood opportunities.

As of mid-2024, an estimated 6.6 million people have been displaced within Ukraine. The displacement is a direct consequence of Russia's military operations, targeting residential areas, critical infrastructure, and civilian populations. More than 8 million Ukrainians have fled to neighbouring countries, primarily Poland, Germany, and other EU states, making the Ukraine refugee crisis one of the largest in modern European history. Despite the ongoing conflict, an increasing number of displaced Ukrainians have started to return home as frontline dynamics shift or as they seek to reunite with family members. However, this is a fluid situation subject to the security conditions on the ground.

IFRC has launched an Emergency Appeal for Ukraine and impacted countries that is coordinated on a European regional level and implemented by more than 18 National Societies. Operations are led and coordinated on country-level whenever possible, integrated under existing Country and Cluster delegations.

Risk management plays a crucial role to support any organization in the pursuit of its objectives. By implementing a systematic approach to risk management throughout the Emergency Appeal, the management team can increase the chance to achieve the appeal objectives, by anticipating risks early so that they can be mitigated before they occur.

IFRC is in the process of rolling out its Risk Management Strategy for 2021-2025 to enhance accountability, transparency, and integrity of the organization. This includes supporting Emergency Appeals with the implementation on IFRC’s Risk Management Policy and enhancing the awareness of risk management across the organization. The Risk Management Officer will support to ensure the successful continuation of the implementation of the Strategy for the Emergency Appeal, and in the region at large in collaboration with the Regional Risk Management Officer, focusing on risk awareness, communication, training, and collaboration. 

Job Purpose

Under the direction of the Regional Head, Regional Head, Humanitarian Diplomacy, Liaison, Communications and Regional Support, and with technical supervision of  the Lead, Risk Management and Internal Control in Geneva, the Risk Management Officer will provide risk management and advisory services that add value and support IFRC management to take and manage risk proactively and effectively. They will collaborate with colleagues within the regional office and across countries under the Ukraine and Impacted Countries Emergency Appeal in implementing IFRC’s risk management framework, including facilitating risk identification, analysis, mitigation, escalation and reporting. They will facilitate risk discussions and reviews with concerned field offices, help the region maintain its existing processes and procedures in risk management and, where needed, propose and support in implementing further enhancements to the existing control framework.  This position will require travel to the impacted countries that are part of the operation.

The position will also provide overall support the Regional Team to implement IFRC’s Risk Policy across the region.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Facilitate the implementation IFRC’s risk framework for the Ukraine and Impacted Countries Emergency Appeal (EA), by providing technical guidance on risk management, supporting proactive management of risks related to the EA to ensure essential assistance reaches communities in need while safeguarding donor investments made to the operation.
• Support the Regional Operations Manager, Regional Operations Coordinator and country Operations Leads in maintaining the Strategic Regional Risk Register and Operations Regional Risk register for the EA. This includes soliciting inputs from relevant colleagues, supporting the assessment of the likelihood and impact of risks and development of effective mitigation strategies.
• Undertake quality assurance for country operational risk registers and facilitates the regular updates of these.
• Provide regular updates and escalates key risks and trends to the HD Regional Head and the Regional Appeal Manager.
• Lead capacity building initiatives on risk management across the EA providing guidance to the wider team and to respective National Societies on identifying and managing risks effectively through trainings and day to day support in navigating specific challenges.
• Under the leadership and support from Regional Operations Manager, prepares and delivers risk briefings to internal and external stakeholders and helps to answer donor queries on risk management practices.
• Coordinate with the Global Risk Management Function to ensure operational risk management practices across are aligned with the Global Risk Management Policy and guidelines.
• Provide strategic advice to the Operations Managers and Heads of Delegation on operational risks related to the EA.
• Evaluate and advises on the control framework for specific activities and the overall operation, to facilitate the addressing of any gaps in controls.
• Provide technical guidance to management when revising UIC EA risk appetite.
• Act as a central point of escalation, ensuring risks at the country level are reviewed and where needed escalated to the regional office.
• In certain circumstances, the post-holder will be expected to mentor and/or build capacity of National Society or IFRC staff or volunteers in country of operation to ensure Risk awareness and build capacities in risk management.
• Provide additional support to IFRC’s Regional risk management agenda, as requested by the Regional Head Humanitarian Diplomacy and Regional Liaison, and the Regional Risk Management Officer.

Education

 Required

- Relevant university degree education in in industrial engineering, IT, information management, finance, law, administration, project management, risk management, crisis management, international relations, or another relevant area.

Preferred

- Additional advanced university degree (master’s) in the same or second relevant field of study; or training or certifications in relevant fields. 

Experience

Required

- At least two years’ professional experience in areas of risk management, compliance or internal control

- Experience in delivering training and awareness on risk management and control

- Experience in working in a multi-cultural environment

Preferred

- International experience working for a humanitarian or development organization

- Experience in coordinating with senior management, donors and other relevant stakeholders.

Knowledge, Skills and Languages

Required

- Understanding of the principles and application of good corporate governance, business and operational risk management, and effective internal controls

- Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing with different audiences, adapting style to fit situation

- Ability to gather, analyse, and evaluate facts, and prepare/present concise oral and written reports

- Ability to plan work and manage conflicting priorities, and handle multiple demands simultaneously, including unexpected deadlines.

- Interpersonal skills, and ability and confidence to challenge authority when required

- Ability to work autonomously and independently, creative and able to think outside of the box.

- IT literate and self-supporting in computers (Windows, spreadsheets, word-processing, etc.)

- Ability to work under stressful conditions and travel extensively in the field

- Fluent spoken and written English

Preferred

- Good knowledge of the European region

- Experience of working for the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement

- Fluent spoken and written Russian, Ukrainian, Polish, Hungarian, Romanian, or other European languages