Chief Risk and Compliance Officer

VN Category (INT / EXT / EOI):

The recruitment policy of the WTO is to seek to attract and retain staff members offering the highest standards of competence, efficiency and integrity. As an Equal Opportunities Employer, the WTO gives full regard to merit and diversity.

The Secretariat of the WTO is seeking to fill the position of Chief Risk and Compliance Officer.

This is an External Vacancy Notice open to external candidates and WTO staff. It is posted on the WTO internal as well as external career site. Eligible WTO staff on short-term, fixed-term or regular contracts and interns must apply through the Workday internal career site.

This is a fixed-term contract funded through the regular budget. The duration will be two years with the possibility of extension.

General Functions

This is a new position that is being created as part of ongoing transformation efforts in the WTO Secretariat. That work revealed a need for the Secretariat to develop a more modern, comprehensive, and tailored risk management framework and risk management process; to strengthen risk awareness and the recognition, reporting and managing of risk; and to establish and fill an appropriate risk management and compliance function. The Secretariat has some risk management tools in place, although these need updating and expanding. Previously the Secretariat employed a risk officer at a more junior level. That position has been vacant for several years. Accordingly, the initial work of the Chief Risk and Compliance will be to overhaul and enhance the existing system of risk management, as well as to design and implement a compliance programme. As these systems are established and made operational, the role and responsibilities of the Chief Risk and Compliance Officer may further evolve.  

Reporting to the Director General, the Chief Risk and Compliance Officer is responsible for promoting an effective risk aware and compliant culture, by developing, implementing and monitoring a coherent organization-wide risk management system and compliance programme. The incumbent will facilitate identifying risks that impact the delivery of mandates and strategic objectives of the WTO; provide authoritative advice to Directors and Senior Management on risk and compliance matters; ensure risk management and internal control measures are integrated into all aspects of strategic and operational planning and day-to-day operations; and provide training to relevant colleagues on risk and compliance matters.

Within delegated authority, the Chief Risk and Compliance Officer will be responsible for:

Risk management related functions:

1.         Managing and supporting enterprise risk management as part of the internal control framework, in line with the three lines of defence model for roles and responsibilities for risk and risk appetite measures.

2.         Updating and revitalizing relevant policies and practices and systems to build maturity in risk management across the organization, supporting timely risk analysis, mitigation and reporting, development and dissemination of best practices guidance, and internal learning in risk management.

3.         Keeping abreast of new developments and implementing best practices in risk management and compliance across the organization and drive change to ensure continuous improvement. Leading efforts to embed and foster a risk awareness culture throughout the organization.

4.         Liaising closely with and providing support to the committee responsible for crisis management and business continuity as needed.

5.         Ensuring senior management focus on key risk exposures and the adequacy of planned mitigation.

6.         Ensuring that an efficient risk management system is in place, including responsibility for reviewing and advising on policy development, maintaining and continually developing the organizational risk register, reviewing the organization's risk appetite statement and overseeing the implementation of mitigation strategies, and providing insight on emerging risks and effectiveness of planned mitigation.

7.         Providing training and guidance to divisional risk management focal points as needed; liaising and providing specialized advice and support to all Divisions for carrying out risk management responsibilities in their respective areas of activities.

8.         Preparing annual risk reports for Senior Management and condensed versions to the Committee on Budget, Finance and Administration. Supporting the work with internal and external oversight entities, reporting on specific trends and cross-cutting matters; assisting in the implementation of oversight recommendations to improve risk management, compliance and quality of outputs, and ensuring an effective internal control framework in support of operational efficiency.

9.         Owning and developing the methodologies and toolsets used for identifying, assessing and escalating risks, and tracking the progress and effectiveness of mitigating actions; ensuring the rollout of a consistent organisation-wide risk system for capturing all material risks and oversight issues / actions.

10.       Serving as the WTO contact point for the network of Risk Officers with other UN agencies and International Organizations.

Compliance related responsibilities:

11.       Developing and managing a robust programme (including systems and procedures) to ensure compliance with the Organization's internal policies and procedures and applicable norms, particularly in relation to internal control and integrity risks.

12.       Developing and communicating compliance guidance to staff at all levels. 

13.       Developing, monitoring and updating the Organization's conflict of interest register, gifts and outside activities register, completion of mandatory training register, and other registers or systems to monitor compliance with organisational policies and procedures.

14.       Providing regular Compliance reporting to the Director General, and performing other related duties as requested by the Director-General.

15.       Managerial responsibilities: Over time this role will likely evolve to encompass managing, motivating and developing at least one staff member supporting the risk management and compliance work.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

Advanced university degree (Master's Degree or equivalent) in risk management, business management, political science, law, finance, or another relevant area.

A diploma or professional certification in risk management, compliance, Organizational Resilience Management Systems; Incident and Crisis Management, or Business Continuity Management is highly desirable.

Knowledge and Skills:

Technical Knowledge and Skills:

Knowledge and understanding of, and experience with any of the following: compliance management, risk management, crisis management, organizational resilience and business continuity planning.

Ability to identify issues, analyze and participate in the resolution of issues. Ability to conduct data collection using various methods. Conceptual analytical and evaluative skills to conduct independent research and analysis. Ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, plan work and manage conflicting priorities.

Familiarity with insurance industry concepts, products and practices including those related to employee benefits would be an advantage.

Familiarity with key standards in Risk Management would be an advantage.

Knowledge of or interest in Occupational Health and Safety (OHS), Cyber Related risk management, Environmental, Social and Governance or sustainability management would be an advantage.

Behavioural Skills:

Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; capable of digesting, synthesizing and presenting technical facts to both knowledgeable specialized audiences and laypersons; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed; persuades others to a point of view using facts.

Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honors commitments; delivers outputs within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.

Integrity, discretion, tact and diplomacy.

Must be capable of initiating and building relationships with a variety of people both inside and outside the organization.

Work Experience:

A minimum of 10 years of work experience progressively responsible for compliance or risk management, administration, organizational development, operations, strategic planning, project management or other risk management or compliance related fields.

Proven experience is required in developing, implementing and managing plans including, but not limited to, risk management, crisis management, and business continuity.

Experience working in international organizations is desirable.

Languages:

Excellent knowledge of English including the ability to draft clearly and concisely. (at a level corresponding or equivalent to a minimum of C1 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). A good knowledge of French would be a strong advantage.

The language skills of shortlisted candidates will be assessed as part of the selection process.

Additional Information:
 
Only applications from nationals of WTO Members will be accepted. 

The recruitment process will be undertaken as per Administrative Memorandum No. 976 (OFFICE(16)/15) on Staff Promotions and external recruitment through Vacancy Notices.

For non-entry level positions, the position may be offered at a lower grade if the selected candidate does not fully meet all the required qualifications. 

The initial fixed-term contract shall be two years, which shall be probationary, as per Administrative Memorandum No. 997 (OFFICE(23)/4) on Probation Policy.

The WTO may use various communication technologies such as video or teleconference for the assessment and evaluation of candidates. The recruitment process may also involve the use of various forms of testing, assessment centres, interviews and reference checks. 

Applicants may be required to sit a written examination. 

Applicants will be contacted directly if selected for an interview. 

Candidates not selected whose performance in the selection process nevertheless shows them to be suitable for a similar position may be kept on a roster for up to 24 months, and may subsequently be called upon as and when the need arises for additional resources.

All applicants are encouraged to apply online as soon as possible after the vacancy has been posted and well before the closing date – Geneva (Switzerland) time – stated in the vacancy announcement. 
PLEASE NOTE THAT APPLICATIONS RECEIVED AFTER THE CLOSING DATE WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. 
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