Emergency Risk & Compliance Advisor

Emergency Risk & Compliance Advisor at International Rescue Committee

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world's largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities, helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future, and strengthen their communities. As a force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity, and hope to millions. If you're a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, consider joining us in positively impacting the lives of millions worldwide for a better future.

The IRC’s Global Surge Team (GST) is a roster of esteemed and highly qualified humanitarian professionals who deploy on short notice to non-emergency and emergency contexts to support the IRC’s mission. Members of the GST provide specialist support where talent is most needed for short-term deployments of up to three months. The GST is a flexible, occasional employment opportunity. Deployment needs vary based on demand. Staff can take on additional deployments as opportunities arise and if they are interested.

Job Overview

The Emergency Risk & Compliance Advisor (RCA) will support Emergency Response Operations to rapidly implement a robust risk mitigation strategy tailored to the context, through the development and execution of the response risk management plan. Key outputs include:

• A response risk analysis completed within the first 10 days of deployment.
• A risk dashboard launched within 14 days and updated at least weekly to track priority threats, mitigations, owners, and status.
• A concise risk update shared at least biweekly with the Response Team Leader and key stakeholders, flagging emerging risks and required decisions.

In close collaboration with the Senior Director, People and Operations in Emergencies, the RCA will be managed day-to-day by the Response Team Leader during deployments and will receive technical support and guidance from the Director, Enterprise Risk Management, including support to identify and prioritize key risks across functions. The RCA will embed risk mitigation from the earliest stages of the response cycle (assessment, response strategy, and proposal development) through to program design and delivery, ensuring that ownership, timelines, and escalation pathways are reflected in the Risk Management Plan and tracked through the risk dashboard.

Major Responsibilities

The Emergency Risk & Compliance Advisor will ensure that the risk management plan is followed rapidly and consistently in emergency responses, and that relevant risk management toolkits are made available for the response team. The RCA will also work closely with HR on ensuring all deployed resources receive risk awareness training, especially around reporting responsibilities and their obligations.

Risk Management And Mitigation

• Support the Response Team Leader and SMT in conducting risk analysis with program, operations, and where relevant partners/suppliers, adopt IRC’s risk framework and proactively coordinate risk mitigation actions with program and operations.
• Identify internal control gaps and ensure compliance risks are thoroughly considered and, where relevant, appropriate mitigation measures are in place. Address and escalate any concerns in a timely manner in line with escalation procedures.
• Embed risk planning with major departments (award management, finance, procurement, programming, MEAL, and others), working with the teams on how to accurately identify, assess, monitor, and respond to changing risk environments.
• Update the Response Team Leader and relevant stakeholders regularly through the risk dashboard and flag areas of concern to the ERMT and senior leadership groups.
• Assess risk and compliance training needs for existing staff, new joiners, and key partners and conduct awareness sessions and training on Risk Management, Fraud Awareness, Ethics, Compliance, Reporting, and other relevant topics.
• Regularly review current procedures, suggest improvements, and update standards or SOPs for Risk, Compliance, and Operational Efficiency.
• Utilize innovative strategies to promote a culture of risk awareness and ethical and compliant behaviours across all sites.

Required Job Requirements:

• 6+ years of experience in operations and program implementation in an international development environment.
• Good understanding of the concept and principles guiding humanitarian work.
• Demonstrable skills in identifying and supporting fraud risk management.
• Experience in report writing and summarizing developments and insights for various stakeholders.
• Experience working in an emergency response context or fragile states.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively as part of a small team, including in fast-paced deployment settings.
• Experience in delivering training, including strengthening the capacity of key stakeholders to prevent and respond to issues.
• Ability to achieve results and maintain consistent high standards of professional behavior and achievement, including when working alone.
• Ability to manage stress, be flexible, and accommodating in difficult and frustrating working circumstances.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and diplomatic skills: the ability to effectively liaise with colleagues in diverse multi-cultural environments.
• Solid organizational skills: the ability to be productive under pressure in a fast-paced team environment.
• Fluency in English, with excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Strong digital literacy: facility with MS Word, Excel, various accounting software, and email/internet software.
• Demonstrated ability to thrive in a matrix management environment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Working knowledge of Arabic, French, and/or Spanish.
• Experience delivering risk awareness training.

Key skills/competency

• Risk Management
• Compliance
• Humanitarian Aid
• Fraud Mitigation
• Emergency Response
• Operations Management
• Program Implementation
• Stakeholder Communication
• Training & Development
• Digital Literacy