Consultant – Scoping for an Organizational Risk Appetite Statement – Remote Globally

Background:

Mercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible. In disaster, in hardship, in more than 40 countries around the world

In 2011 the Institute of Risk Management (IRM) published its Guidance Paper on Risk Appetite and Risk Tolerance, defining risk appetite as “the amount of risk an organisation is willing to seek or accept in the pursuit of its long-term objectives.”

Mercy Corps has an established Enterprise Risk Management Structure and the appropriate policies in place. However, as we launch our new ten-year strategy, our Pathway to Possibility (P2P), and, as we continue to operate in contexts and within global dynamics of increasing complexity, we seek to codify and develop our common understanding of our risk appetite across our key categories of risk – such as fiduciary, ethical, security, program, legal/regulatory compliance, reputational.

Purpose / Project Description:

We recognise that organization’s executive/C-suite level must be fully engaged in this process and that the final agreed risk appetite (or ‘appetites’) should inform and support policy and practice across the organization. Therefore, this piece of work is targeted towards Executive Team review and approval.

We also recognise that there are many possible approaches to achieving a common organisational understanding of risk appetite (this may involve an Organisational Risk Appetite Statement or Statements but we acknowledge that there may also be other routes to achieve this objective, including piloting specific risk categories to inform the overall approach). Therefore, we are seeking an experienced consultant or team to support us in scoping out the needs of Mercy Corps in this regard, and developing a set of recommendations, with a possible roadmap, for Executive Team consideration as soon as possible.

Objectives:

The Risk Consultant(s) will undertake a consultative review of and, together with each of the Executive-level risk holders across Mercy Corps, develop:

• An understanding of the reasons Mercy Corps’ is seeking a common risk appetite understanding at an organisational level.
• A visual mapping, and associated report, of risk management processes and tools used at enterprise, regional and country level
• A set of recommendations, with a possible road map, that would enable Mercy Corps to achieve an effective common understanding of our shared risk appetite. This will need to consider the specific structure, ethos and approaches of Mercy Corps, including our risk management governance structures. This may involve developing an agreed set of risk categories.

Specific Activities will include (but not restricted to):

1. Review of Mercy Corps’ ERM framework, Global and Europe Risk Registers and to understand current prioritisation of risks and risk mitigation approaches. Lead discussion with the Steering Committee to (a) better understand why Mercy Corps’ assesses it needs a common understanding of our risk appetite and (b) ground truth evolving recommendations.
2. The Consultant is expected to facilitate questions and discussion on specific contexts or types of activities that may generate a different risk appetite (emergency response, remote management contexts) and also advise if one overarching risk appetite statement is advisable. These conversations should also include a discussion of which processes, systems and tools are used to manage and record risk, to inform a visual mapping.
3. Convening and leading conversations with the members of the Mercy Corps Executive Team primarily responsible for each risk category to ensure the wide range of perspectives are reflected in the recommendations and identify any key considerations.

Deliverables:

• Visual mapping, and report, of risk management tools, processes and systems currently in use at Mercy Corps
• Draft recommendations, including a possible roadmap, for Mercy Corps to achieve a common risk appetite understanding for review by the Steering Committee, in advance of approval by the ET.

Required skills/ experience

• Robust understanding of, and experiences of enterprise risk management concepts, with 7+ years of experience in a relevant field or role, preferably with a focus on international NGOs in the development and/or humanitarian sector. (required)
• The ability to engage and manage multiple stakeholders to integrate perspectives from across the organisation headquarters and implementation country offices to set direction, build, communicate and implement a shared vision with respect to risk appetite
• Strong analytical skills and high levels of business acumen with an understanding of INGO strategy and operating environment, preferably at a global scale.
• Intellectual strength and flexibility to rapidly understand complex problems and rationalise these into a workable solution which can then be delivered
• Very strong interpersonal and facilitation skills for all levels of staff in a multicultural working environment. Ability to work across multiple time zones.
• Strong presentation and written and verbal communication skills

Timeframe / Schedule:

These recommendations, including a possible roadmap, should be submitted to the Executive Team for their review and consideration by [June 2023]. This is foreseen to be 8 weeks of work spread over up to 6 months.

The vendor will be managed by:

Key points of contact for this work will be General Counsel.

The vendor will work closely with:

The workstream will be supported by Governance Officer.

A Steering Committee for this work will be formed and consist of: General Counsel, Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer, Chief Operations Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief People Officer, Vice President Humanitarian Leadership and Response, Senior Vice President Programs, Vice President Strategy Realization Unit. This group will also be responsible for clearing the final draft recommendations and road map before it goes to the Executive Team and Enterprise Risk Management Committee for final review.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Achieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching our organization with people of different origins, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of thinking, we are better able to leverage the collective power of our teams and solve the world’s most complex challenges. We strive for a culture of trust and respect, where everyone contributes their perspectives and authentic selves, reaches their potential as individuals and teams, and collaborates to do the best work of their lives.

We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a journey, and we are committed to learning, listening and evolving to become more diverse, equitable and inclusive than we are today.

Equal Employment Opportunity

We are committed to providing an environment of respect and psychological safety where equal employment opportunities are available to all. We do not engage in or tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability (including HIV/AIDS status), marital status, military veteran status or any other protected group in the locations where we work.

Safeguarding & Ethics

Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our stakeholders and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects. Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC’s policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.