Director of Risk & Assurance

Director of Risk & Assurance

Choose Love

£75k - £82k - London- Hybrid

3 Month Fixed-Term Contract

Charity People are delighted to be partnering with Choose Love, in their search for an Interim Risk and Assurance Director. We are seeking a seasoned professional with extensive experience in risk management and assurance and a deep understanding of the challenges faced by high-profile fundraising charities and organisations funding and operating in high-risk regions.

Job Summary

The Director of Risk & Assurance will play a crucial role in ensuring the effective oversight, management, and mitigation of organisational risk. Specifically, the postholder will work closely with ELT, senior managers, and the Board of Trustees to develop a comprehensive strategic risk matrix with detailed attention to our programmes, partnerships and fundraising activities, such as safeguarding, financial, legal or reputational risks. There will be a focus on managing risks which could significantly affect the ability of Choose Love to fulfil our purpose.

About Choose Love

Choose Love does whatever it takes to provide refugees and displaced people around the world with everything from lifesaving search and rescue boats to food and legal advice. We identify the need and raise funds to close and prevent gaps in services and protections for refugees and displaced people requiring humanitarian support due to conflict, persecution and natural disasters.

Key Responsibilities

Program Risk Oversight:

• Provide strategic leadership in identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks associated with program activities, especially those in high-risk regions where, for example, there is a conflict or imposed government sanctions
• Collaborate with program teams, funded partners to develop risk management plans and ensure their effective implementation.
• Review due diligence and compliance processes and ensure they are comprehensive, proportionate and in line with legislation whilst enabling us to safely and responsibly fund the humanitarian work of grassroots organisations in high-risk regions
• Conduct regular risk assessments and provide timely recommendations to enhance program resilience
• Oversee and assess the risk profiles of funded partners, particularly those operating in challenging environments.
• Support to Programmes leadership in capacity building and upskilling the Programmes team in compliance and assessing risk during due diligence checks

Commercial and Fundraising Risk Mitigation:

• Develop and implement risk management strategies for commercial activities and high-profile fundraising initiatives
• Collaborate with the Partnerships team to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and ethical fundraising practices
• Conduct due diligence on potential partners and stakeholders involved in fundraising activities
• Ensure that partnerships align with the organisation's risk appetite and ethical standards

Policy Development and Compliance:

• Develop and update risk management policies and procedures in alignment with industry best practices and evolving Choose Love's organisational needs
• Monitor and ensure compliance with relevant laws, regulations, and ethical standards (and liaise with external advisors for support where necessary
• Prepare and implement organisational risk matrix, working with ELT and senior managers to ensure comprehensive risk oversight and management
• Advise and prepare regular reports for ELT and Board on overall risk appetite, health, and specific situational riskand mitigation strategies
• Ensure compliance with Charity Commission regulations

Essential Criteria

• Commitment to Choose Loves values and working to improve the lives of refugees and displaced people around the world
• Extensive experience in risk management, with ideally an focus on international development, humanitarian aid, or related sectors
• Proven experience working in high-risk regions and managing risks associated with complex programs with working knowledge of GDPR legislation and compliance
• Strong understanding of compliance, ethics, and best practices in the charitable sector
• Knowledge of Risks associated with fundraising activities with high-profile stakeholders and potential for media and public attention
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage effectively with diverse stakeholders.
• Excellent project management and organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise and multitask in a fast-paced environment

To apply, due to the interim nature, please send a copy of your profile or CV ASAP in the first instance to Kate Headford. If you feel this disadvantages you in any way, please contact Kate at Charity People and she'll do her best to ensure you don't miss out.

Charity People actively promotes equality, diversity, and inclusion. We match charity needs with the skills and experience of candidates, irrespective of age, disability (including hidden disabilities), gender, gender identity or gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation. We do this because we know greater diversity will lead to even greater results for the charities we work with.