Actively contribute to the effective implementation of UNHCR's risk management strategy and policy and strengthening the risk culture in the Area of Responsibility (AoR).
Provide support to the risk management and oversight matters, guiding colleagues in discharging their responsibilities and accountabilities to manage risks and comply with policies and procedures.
Facilitate the integration of risk management, ethical and integrity considerations into decision making, planning, monitoring, evaluation, reporting and contingency activities.
Coordinate the risk management process, including identification, analysis, and assessment of risks and opportunities.
Identify and escalate to supervisor where risks are outside of acceptable levels and propose and lead the actions to reduce the risk level.
Facilitate the design and lead the implementation of risk mitigation actions as appropriate.
Keep the Risk Register updated and promote its use as an active risk management tool. Act as a Risk Focal Point or back-up, if needed.
Coordinate and deliver relevant trainings, workshops, and other capacity building initiatives of UNHCR teams and partners in risk management, to strengthen the culture of integrity and accountability. Monitor and track ERM training participation.
Advocate for ERM best practices through different communication channels.
Support the coordination and the follow-up on the oversight entities recommendations.
Facilitate the analysis of risk management, and oversight findings and recommendations. Produce summary reports, with recommendations, on significant matters requiring management action or intervention including on emerging risks and opportunities.
Undertake support missions as necessary.
Contribute to inter-agency forums and discussions related to risk management.
Represent risk management function in meetings, as assigned.
Perform other related duties as required.
In-situ posts only:
Facilitate the risk review exercises with functional experts and management to agree on the operational risk register, and appropriate risk responses; facilitate, monitor and report on the implementation of agreed responses.
Assess the methodology, tools and practices related to the implementation of risk management activities
Additional Information
Deadline for Applications
June 14, 2026
Hardship Level
B
Family Type
Family
Residential location (if applicable)
Grade
NOC
Staff Member / Affiliate Type
National Professional Officer
Reason
Regular > Regular Assignment
Target Start Date
2026-07-01
Standard Job Description
Risk Management Officer
Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Risk Management Officer will be part of UNHCR's Risk Management Network and will collaborate with the Chief Risk Officer and colleagues in the network to ensure the strengthening of risk culture across UNHCR. Special attention is paid to coherence, identification of systemic issues requiring a corporate-wide response and sharing of good risk management practices and lessons learnt.
The incumbent shall engage with internal stakeholders, including with the Bureau and HQ, as appropriate. As directed by the supervisor, the incumbent may also engage with external stakeholders including Government offices, partners, donors, and (for in-situ posts) contractors and refugee/host communities, to maximize collective efforts to manage risk and strengthen accountability and the quality of services provided to forcibly displaced and stateless people.
For in-situ positions, the incumbent will be in the first line, supporting the operation in risk management. S/he shall support the review of the adequacy of risk management systems, structures, procedures and capacities within the operation, make recommendations as appropriate, and assist management in their implementation. S/he should typically report to a Risk Management Adviser or senior management staff member.
For regional bureau positions, the incumbent will support the regional Risk Management Adviser in coordinating operations within their region in matters related to risk and oversight, as part of the second line. S/he should typically report to a Risk Management Adviser in a bureau.
For HQ positions, the incumbent will work within the Enterprise Risk Management Service with a reporting line to the Chief Risk Officer and/or another senior ERM colleague.
All UNHCR staff members are accountable to perform their duties as reflected in their job description. They do so within their delegated authorities, in line with the regulatory framework of UNHCR which includes the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, UNHCR Policies and Administrative Instructions as well as relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, staff members are required to discharge their responsibilities in a manner consistent with the core, functional, cross-functional and managerial competencies and UNHCR's core values of professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity.
Unhcr · Addis Ababa, Ethiopia