Risk Officer (Finance) - Rome, Italy P-3

at  International Fund For Agricultural Development

ORGANIZATIONAL SETTING

The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) is an international financial institution and a specialized United Nations agency dedicated to eradicating rural poverty and hunger. It does so by investing in rural people. IFAD finances programmes and projects that increase agricultural productivity and raise rural incomes, and advocates at the local, national and international level for policies that contribute to rural transformation.
The Office of the President and Vice-President of IFAD (OPV) oversees the Corporate Services Support Group (CSSG) and supervises the Protocol Unit. The CSSG comprises the: (a) Office of the General Counsel (LEG) ; and (b) Office of Audit and Oversight (AUO), reporting to the President; (c) Office of Strategic Budgeting (OSB); (d) Quality Assurance Group (QAG); (e) Change, Delivery and Innovation Unit (CDI); and (f) Office of Enterprise Risk Management (RMO), reporting to the Vice-President; and (g) Ethics Office (ETH), a stand-alone unit reporting administratively to the Vice-President.
The Office of Enterprise Risk Management (RMO) is a dynamic, strategic and responsive service provider, leading IFAD’s second line of defense by fully supporting the management of all risks across the organization. The RMO implements, monitors, and maintains an efficient and effective Enterprise Risk Management programme, supporting IFAD’s strategic vision and mandate. The RMO aims to enable better informed risk taking by using consistent risk management best practices across the organization to achieve the Fund’s objectives in the long-term and deliver on its development commitments. The Office is responsible for oversight and monitoring of risk exposures and enabling clear reporting of IFAD’s risk profile.
The Risk Officer reports to the Lead Financial Risk Officer and works under the overall strategic guidance of the Director & Chief Risk Officer of RMO.

EDUCATION:

• Level - Advanced university degree from an accredited institution listed on https://www.whed.net/home.php in a technically relevant area (*). The advanced university degree may be substituted by a first university degree (bachelor or equivalent) in the above-mentioned subjects plus at least four additional years of relevant professional experience, over and above the minimum number of years of experience outlined below.
• Areas - financial engineering or other quantitative field, finance, business administration or other job related field.
  (*) Note: For internal candidates, this requirement will be assessed in line with the provisions set forth in the IFAD’s Human Resources Implementing Procedures.

EXPERIENCE:

• At least five (5) years of progressively relevant experience is risk management including asset liability management, treasury management, liquidity risk, interest rate risk, capital markets etc. in an international financial institution, multilateral/regional/national development bank or agency and/or financial services private sector firm.
• Three (3) years in a multi-cultural organization or national organization providing support on a global scope.
• Position-specific experience: Knowledge and basic experience in project/programme management, using best practice project management methodology

SKILLS:

• IFAD financing strategy: Expertise on the Fund`s governing and financial structure, mandate, long-term business strategy, financial rules and regulations
• Risk & compliance: Know-how in asset liability management, risk reporting, capital adequacy, quality assurance and compliance (e.g. Anti-money laundering (AML), Know your customer (KYC) processes), etc.
• UN and IFI documentation & processes: Knowledge of the relevant policies, rules, regulations and guidelines on document processing and distribution within the UN and other IFIs
• Financial data integrity and financial systems: know-how in systems interface control, core banking system management, data mining and analytics
• Financial reporting & accounting: Know-how in financial reporting, statutory and other reporting as well as advanced application of IFRS standards, derivatives, loan credit risk, financial regulations, policies, rules and procedures applicable to IFAD and IFIs
• Risk management (e.g. reputational): Identification and assessment of potential liabilities and risks in IFAD’s activities, particularly vis-à-vis third parties; ability to handle risks via contingency and mitigation strategies
• Strategy implementation: Ability to lead and manage the development and implementation of medium to longer-term strategies for IFAD / for respective divisions
• Policies and procedures: Know-how in design, advisory and interpretation expertise in HR policies and procedures, such as payroll and staff regulations (e.g. pensions schemes, benefits and entitlements, social services etc.)
• Data analysis/architecture: Know-how in the analysis and interpretation of data needs and sources taking into account its operational context, using systems and models to disseminate ensuring integrity, availability to meet reporting and business analytics needs
• Performance management: Know-how in managing performance so that staff supervised deliver on the agreed objectives and meet their development needs while meeting the needs of IFAD. Is proficient in establishing clear performance goals (operational and behavioural) and learning plans as well as in evaluating the performance of staff against the set goals.
• Adaptability: Adaptability and flexibility when facing new or unexpected situations, and to specific constraints and circumstances and managing complex processes
• Business acumen, private sector knowledge: Outstanding ability to synthesize and simplify complex technical information for a variety of (non-technical) audiences
• Change management: Role modelling, anticipation of key risks & conflicts and formulation of contingency plans/solutions, action-oriented
• Integrity and ethics: Strong emphasis on acting with honesty, not tolerating unethical behaviour, demonstrating equity, impartiality and sensitivity in exercising authority and interacting with staff, and other stakeholders. Conduct must be guided by IFAD core values, the Code of conduct and a high sense of ethics.
• Interpersonal skills: Ability to deal patiently and tactfully with others (e.g. visitors, clients, callers, etc.), including senior individuals (e.g. high-level meeting participants)
• Leadership: Group thought leader, sought out by others and providing mentorship and effective guidance to others; Ability to build trust, inside and outside the organization by acting as a role model for IFAD’s core values and competencies, and to provide a clear sense of direction, mentorship and effective guidance to the team, strategizing the IFAD’s goals, giving the vision, empowering the team and ensuring a positive environment for all.
• Written communication: Clear, succinct and convincing written communication in the language needed for specific role; highly professional, balanced and diplomatic language (e.g. for drafting of position papers, briefings, etc.)
• Programme/Project development, management: Know-how in Programme/Project development, implementation, management

Risk Officers at this level are seasoned professionals reflecting an in-depth, broad understanding of applicable regulations, standards and methods as well as IFAD’s financial regulations, rules and transactional procedures in one or more financial risk occupations including but not limited to asset liability management and capital adequacy.
Position specifics: The Risk Officer (Finance) is supporting the mission of IFAD by providing sound advice, on financial risk policy and management practices, that supports effective, risk based decision making. The incumbent assists the Director & Chief Risk Officer and the Lead Financial Risk Officer in making effective risk based decisions to achieve the strategic goals of the Fund.