Regional Director of Risk Management

Job Description

ABOUT INKOMOKO 

Inkomoko supports entrepreneurs to grow their businesses in order to improve livelihoods, create jobs, and help communities thrive.

Founded in 2012, Inkomoko has worked with more than 60,000 entrepreneurs across East and Central Africa, including thousands of refugee entrepreneurs. Inkomoko provides a combination of training, consulting, access to finance, and market-level systems change.  We are the largest lender to refugee entrepreneurs in Africa.

Inkomoko has 650+ staff in 40 offices across Chad, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, and South Sudan. Through Inkomoko’s 2030 strategic plan, we are adding 3 additional countries to serve more than 550,000 entrepreneurs and growing our $30M loan fund to impact 7M lives.

INKOMOKO VALUES

All staff at Inkomoko are connected to a shared set of organizational values:

• Purpose: be solutions-oriented, produce high-quality work, and be a global leader.
• Achievement: push yourself to reach beyond what you previously thought possible.
• Improvement: be humble, engage in continuous growth through open & accurate feedback
• Bravery: willing to take risks, create a safe space for others, be compassionate, and inclusive.
• We Eat Goat:  we celebrate success and support each other in hard times. We do this work together in the spirit of turikumwe, tuko pamoja, abren nen, Kula na sawa, On est ensemble.

Inkomoko is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer. Persons who reflect the diverse communities we serve are strongly encouraged to apply. 

ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY & RESPONSIBILITIES;

The Director of Risk Management will lead the organization’s efforts to promote a culture of risk awareness and guide Inkomoko’s risk management framework across all operations. This position ensures that Inkomoko proactively identifies, assesses, and mitigates risks while aligning these practices with the organization’s values,  strategic objectives, and risk appetite.

The Director of Risk Management will collaborate across departments and the Board of Directors, providing the tools, training, and oversight necessary to ensure robust risk mitigation and compliance measures are in place for organizational, client and staff safety, and maximum program impact.

1. Risk Strategy & Management Framework

• Refine and oversee the organization’s risk management strategy, ensuring it outlines effective approaches for identifying, assessing, mitigating, and monitoring risks in alignment with Inkomoko’s risk temperament
• Manage and analyze a centralized risk register in partnership with all departments to track identified risks, likelihood, impact, mitigation plans, and assigned responsibilities.
• Manage and provide leadership to the cross-functional Risk Management Committee, ensuring effective risk oversight and strategic decision-making.

2. Risk Awareness

• Foster a daily commitment to and culture of risk management awareness and implementation across strategic and operational levels.
• Champion alignment of risk management with Inkomoko’s organizational culture and values.

3. Risk Assessment and Mitigation Plans

• Lead regular identification of internal and external risks, including financial, operational, reputational, and strategic risks.
• Conduct risk assessments for new locations and initiatives.
• Map risks to control mechanisms and mitigation strategies.

• Develop tools and provide training for Directors and Managers to assess compliance and implement mitigation plans.
• Track and report progress on risk mitigation actions, including internal controls and contingency planning in collaboration with Directors and Safeguarding Focal Points.

4. Internal Controls and Safeguarding

• Work closely with the Internal Audit team on identified findings and controls that may pose additional risks.
• Manage whistleblower mechanisms and confidential reporting systems to allow staff to report fraud or misconduct.
• Oversee policies and training to mitigate fraud risk and ensure compliance.
• Supervise the Safeguarding Manager and oversee all safeguarding policies, controls, and reports related to misconduct, fraud, and safety.

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

• Bachelor’s degree in Risk Management, Business Administration, Finance, or a related field (Master’s degree preferred).
• Commitment to justice, equity, diversity and inclusion in understanding how risks impact people across a range of identities.
• At least 10 years of experience in risk management, internal audit, compliance, or related roles, preferably in the NGO or humanitarian sector.
• Experience working in high-risk areas of East or Central Africa, particularly in refugee or vulnerable community settings.
• Strong understanding of operational, financial, reputational, and safeguarding risks in the NGO context.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and implement risk management frameworks and tools in a collaborative manner.
• Strong leadership and cross-functional collaboration skills, with experience working in diverse, multicultural teams.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage complex risk data.
• Proficiency in using risk management tools and software.
• Fluency in English and one African language required; knowledge of French or Arabic is a strong asset

Preferred Skills and Competencies

• Strong training and facilitation skills to support capacity building for risk mitigation.
• Experience managing safeguarding frameworks, policies, and investigations.
• Familiarity with whistleblower mechanisms and fraud prevention systems.
• Ability to navigate ambiguity and develop risk strategies for new or growing programs.

WHAT YOU’LL GET:

This role is inside a high-growth, mission-driven social enterprise. By joining Inkomoko, you’ll access:

• Competitive salary, and potential Goal-based bonus
• Incredible company culture, including deep investment in your learning and growth
• Diverse colleagues and policies that show our commitment to equity and inclusion
• Talented, passionate, and committed team of colleagues across the region
• Ability to make a significant social impact to your community
• Health insurance, staff savings, parental leave, sabbatical, and more benefits.

HOW TO APPLY

If you’re excited about this role, please submit your application through the: JOB PORTAL.

Tell us about what you’ll bring to this growing company.

DEADLINE:  28 February 2025.  Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, please apply as soon as possible!

Inkomoko is committed to justice, diversity, equity and inclusion.  As we seek to reflect the communities we serve, refugees and women are strongly encouraged to apply. As a company we have policies that ensure fair treatment in the application process.

NB: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Employment is conditional upon successful background checks and other verification as needed.

All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and background screening checks. Inkomoko also participates in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme, In line with this Scheme, we will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual misconduct, fraud, or abuse. By applying, the job applicant confirms his/her understanding of these recruitment procedures.