Senior Risk Officer

World Bank Group • Washington, DC

5d • Onsite

About The Position

Do you want to build a career that is truly worthwhile? The World Bank Group is a unique global partnership of five institutions driven by a bold vision to create a world free of poverty on a livable planet. As one of the largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing countries, we help solve the world’s greatest development challenges. When you join the World Bank Group, you become part of a dynamic, diverse organization with 189 member countries and more than 120 offices worldwide. We work with public and private sector partners, invest in groundbreaking projects, and use data, research, and technology to bring tangible and transformative changes around the globe. For more information, visit www.worldbank.org.

VPU Context:

The WBG Chief Risk Officer (CRO) Vice Presidency is the core unit responsible for Group-wide institutional risk oversight, including establishment and monitoring adherence to risk policies and guidelines and risk assessment and reporting to the Board and executive management. Its mission is to enable and support the WBG to achieve its goals in a financially sustainable manner. The VPU assists management with identifying and managing Group-wide cross-cutting risks, enhancing risk response decisions, reducing financial and operational surprises and losses, seizing opportunities and improving deployment of capital. The WBG CRO Vice Presidency includes the IBRD/IDA, IFC, and MIGA risk teams and covers a wide range of financial and non-financial risks

Unit Context:

In the context of One WBG, the newly unified WBG Operational Risk Department (CROOR), housed within the WBG Chief Risk Officer (WBG CRO), provides independent second line of defense oversight, assessment, and management operational and business continuity risks across the World Bank Group.

The Department strengthens institutional risk governance by ensuring that operational risk-taking activities are consistent with the WBG’s risk appetite, internal control frameworks, and long-term operational resilience objectives. It provides rigorous, consistent oversight, ensuring operational and business continuity risks are identified, measured, monitored, and managed effectively across all WBG entities. The WBG Operational Risk Department (CROOR) is responsible for risk oversight in the following areas: (i) Operational Risk, (ii) Business Continuity, (iii) Scenario Planning, (iv) Corporate Insurance, (v) Data Privacy, and (vi) Risk Technology and Data Infrastructure.

The Business Continuity (BC) Team is responsible for the WBG business continuity program, which focuses on ensuring WBG’s ability to maintain critical operations and services during and after disruptive events. This includes developing and testing business continuity strategies, recovery plans, and crisis management protocols across entities and geographies. The BC Team supports business units in identifying critical functions, processes and applications, ensuring resource readiness, and coordinating institution-wide responses to operational disruptions.

We are seeking a dynamic Senior Risk Officer to take a leadership role within the team and coordinate the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of the WBG BC Program both in HQ and non-HQ offices. This position will play a key role in strengthening WBG’s resilience by ensuring effective risk oversight, proactive planning and comprehensive preparedness.

The candidate selected will be based in Washington DC and will report to the Manager, WBG Business Continuity and Resilience. The position will have a global focus and may involve travel.

Requirements

• Master’s Degree in an area relevant to the job.
• Minimum of 8 years of experience in either one or more of these areas: business continuity management, crisis management, operational risk management or operational resilience within a global organization.
• Strong understanding and practical experience of the Three Lines of Defense model.
• Demonstrated experience of interacting effectively with senior management and influencing without formal authority.
• Experience with working in and navigating large and matrixed organizations with multi-layered governance structures, complex risk landscapes, and diverse stakeholders.
• Track record of innovation, implementing positive changes and creating value in business continuity practices.
• Strong problem solving, project management and communication skills.

Nice To Haves

• Professional certifications in BCM or risk management are an advantage (i.e., CBCP, ISO 22310 Lead Auditor).

Responsibilities

• Leads the tactical day-to-day activities of the WBG business continuity work program for HQ units and non-HQ offices. This includes business impact analyses, business continuity planning, and delivering of scenario analyses and resilience testing exercises.
• Acts as a second line of defense, providing independent oversight, challenge, and advisory support to ensure the adequacy and effectiveness of BC plans and recovery procedures.
• Collaborates closely with first line teams to identify, assess, and implement risk mitigation strategies aimed at maintaining critical business functions during disruptive events, including monitoring of action items and areas of improvement.
• Facilitates business continuity and crisis management preparedness sessions to promote a culture of resilience across the organization.
• Develops and monitors Key Risk Indicators (KRI) and provides regular reporting to management and governance bodies on the status of WBG BC and Resilience.
• Coordinates continuity and recovery efforts during significant disruptions, supporting business units to resume their critical processes.
• Mentoring junior staff and promoting knowledge sharing and best practices.
• Manages additional projects or tasks assigned by the BC Manager.

Benefits

• The World Bank Group offers comprehensive benefits, including a retirement plan; medical, life and disability insurance; and paid leave, including parental leave, as well as reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level