Risk Management Specialist

The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) is seeking a highly skilled Risk Officer (Finance) to join its Office of Enterprise Risk Management (RMO). The successful candidate will be responsible for providing sound advice on financial risk policy and management practices, supporting effective risk-based decision making, and contributing to the development of financial and risk policies.

• Assess, monitor, and report on IFAD's capital adequacy policy based on an internal capital adequacy model and rating agency Risk Adjusted Capital Methodology.
• Design forward-looking simulation and stress testing models of IFAD's capital structure to ensure capital adequacy understanding the intricacies of the institution's risk exposures, including the exposure of IFAD to climate risk.
• Monitor and update the Fund's strategic capital adequacy limit setting and monitoring, leverage ratio policies, credit quality of the portfolio, funding and counterparty concentration, in a comprehensive capital adequacy and exposure management framework in line with the organization's risk appetite.
• Conduct asset liability management related analysis and make recommendations on the asset and liability structure, interest rate, duration, currency, liquidity, and other potential mismatch positions.
• Coordinate and partner proactively with IFAD's divisions involved in the design of asset and liability management planning and monitor the actual results and implemented strategies to drive IFAD towards its financial and operational targets.
• Support the implementation of system enhancements to improve data accuracy and analysis capabilities related to the risk function and asset liability related projects.
• Proficient knowledge of financial concepts and quantitative tools pertaining to fixed income valuation, risk, and performance measurement.
• Identify, measure, and monitor the Fund's financial positions, risk exposures, and performance for the funding, investment, and hedging activities carried out by Treasury, including the preparation of related reports to Senior Management and relevant committees as needed.
• Lead the preparation of data and analysis for the rating review exercise with credit rating agencies.
• Participate in technical working groups on financial projections, pricing, funding, and liquidity supporting the Lead Financial Risk Officer with technical leadership/capacity development initiatives and awareness campaigns.

• Advanced university degree from an accredited institution in a technically relevant area, such as financial engineering, finance, business administration, or other job-related field.
• At least five (5) years of progressively relevant experience in 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.

English (4 - Excellent)

Desirable: French, Spanish, or Arabic (3 - Good)

• 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.