Risk Management Officer at KEMRI Wellcome Trust Research Programme (KWTRP)

JOB PURPOSE: 

The Risk Management Officer is responsible for all aspects of the organisation’s risk function, including the implementation of processes, tools and systems to identify, assess, measure, manage, monitor and report risks to the Executive Management, the Finance Committee and the Board.

This will involve working closely with all departments and respective risk champions to assist them in identifying and documenting their risks and mitigating actions. It will also involve working with management to identify and develop the reports and information they require to identify and manage the key risks faced by the organisation.

The Risk Management Officer will also work closely with the COO to help the Finance Committee identify and develop the reports and information they require to enable them to understand the organisation’s risk profile and challenge the executive in managing the key risk faced by them the organisation.

Description: 

REPORTS TO:  Chief Operating Officer (COO)

Key Responsibilities:

• Assist the COO and Finance Committee in developing a risk management framework, risk management policies, including defining roles and responsibilities.
• Promote risk management competence and awareness throughout the organisation, including conducting operational and fraud risk training, helping risk owners align risk responses with the organisation’s risk capacity and developing appropriate controls.
• Guide integration of risk management with other organisational planning and management activities and decision-making processes.
• Assist the Finance Committee in promoting a common risk management language that includes standard measures around likelihood, impact, and reporting process.
• Bring to the attention of the Executive Management Committee any shared risks not owned by process owners.
• Assist in ensuring that key risks, including fraud risks, are identified and managed appropriately by management.
• Monitor implementation of risk management action plans to ensure they implemented as required.
• Ensure regular risk assessment and reporting are done and updated risk registers are maintained, with lead responsibility for the Programme level risk register and materials for the Executive Management Committee. 
• Develop and document a methodology for performing Fraud Risk Assessment across the Programme and conduct fraud risk assessments for all new projects
• Contribute to improving policies and procedures that integrate risk management and compliance within the organisation.
• Coordinate across the Programme to ensure Business Continuity Plans / Disaster Recovery Plans are up to date and are tested from time to time
• Coordinate through the Operations Departmental Manager to ensure that appropriate policies, procedures and controls are in place to address identified compliance risks.
• Coordinate through the Human Resources to ensure that there are mechanisms in place for Programme staff to declare that they know of the compliance obligations that affect them, and a system for periodic confirmation.
• Implement through the Operations Departmental Manager tracking of audit action implementation and reporting of these actions.
• Work through the Finance Department and Operations Departmental Manager to ensure that all grant conditions are known to staff operating under that grant and that mechanisms are in place to ensure compliance with those conditions.
• Become an effective and trusted risk champion for the organisation.
• Enhance risk reporting content, design, and output in a way that adds value for internal and external stakeholders.

Job specifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in business, finance, economics, and other relevant fields
• 5 years’ experience developing and implementing a risk management framework, preferably research institutions or non-governmental organisations.
• Proven understanding and experience of risk management methodologies.
• Proven ability to identify, interpret and document compliance requirements related to legal, contractual, regulator and financial matters.
• Appreciation for enterprise risk management and the ability to champion it across the business.

Desired Skills:

• Professional qualification such as CPA(k), CISA, QMS Lead Auditor or CIA
• Experience with any Risk and Compliance software
• Experience with the development and delivery of risk and compliance training

Competencies:

• Demonstrate high levels of integrity and confidentiality
• Excellent interpersonal, written, presentation and communication skills
• Good analytical, problem solving and critical thinking skills;
• Teamwork and ability to work with diverse teams
• Strong Flexibility, adaptability, multi-tasking and attention to detail
• Strong team coordination and Supervisory skills.
• Ability to balance multiple priorities, demonstrating good organisational skills in order to meet deadlines.