Principal Risk Officer Job #: req34346 Organization: IFC Sector: Risk Grade: GH Term Duration:ย 3 years 0 months Recruitment Type: International Recruitment Location: Vienna,Austria Required Language(s): English Preferred Language(s): Closing Date: 9/29/2025 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC
Description
Build a career with impact. Working at the World Bank Group (WBG) provides a unique opportunity to help countries solve their greatest development challenges. As one of the largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing countries, the WBG is a unique partnership of five global institutions dedicated to ending poverty, increasing shared prosperity, and promoting sustainable development. With 189 member countries and more than 120 offices worldwide, the WBG works with public and private sector partners, investing in groundbreaking projects and using data, research, and technology to develop solutions to the most urgent global challenges.
The International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets. We work in more than 100 countries, using our capital, expertise, and influence to create markets and opportunities in developing countries. In fiscal year 2025, IFC committed a record $71.7 billion to private companies and financial institutions in developing countries, leveraging private sector solutions, and mobilizing private capital to create a world free of poverty on a livable planet. For more information, visit www.ifc.org.
The IFC 2030 strategy aims to mobilize private capital at scale to generate more and better jobs, particularly in emerging markets. It is anchored in four transformative pillars: (i) enhanced Origination and Mobilization by enhancing IFCโs role as a distribution platform to attract institutional investors; (ii) New Approach to Equity, the scarcest form of capital in emerging markets yet the most powerful for business growth, innovation, and job creation, by adopting a bold new approach to equity investment with greater specialization, strategic platforms, and taking more calculated risks; (iii) revamped Support for MSMEs by continuing to work with financial institutions while diversifying its approach to include direct investments in promising medium-sized firm and supporting digital platforms that provide supply chain financing and connect MSMEs to markets; and (iv) different ways of Working and New Skills by revamping internal operations, cultivating specialized skills, managing risks better, and fostering cross-World Bank Group collaboration. Collectively, these shifts position IFC to scale its development impact in a rapidly evolving global economy.
The Corporate Risk Management Department (CRM) is responsible for comprehensive risk management at a corporate level, including Economic Capital, Market Risk, Credit and Counterparty Risk, Model Risk, Data Analytics, Enterprise Risk, Operational Risk, and Business Continuity. CRM is currently seeking a Principal Risk Officer to lead the data and credit risk analytics related toย (i) providing technical advisory and supervision on strategic risk processes and projects relevant for the implementation of IFCโs 2030 strategy, including financial sustainability, profitability, loan loss allowance estimates, among others; and (ii) IFCโs submissions to the Global Emerging Markets Risk Database (GEMs) Consortium in close coordination with other Consortium members based in Europe and elsewhere.
This role involves applying finance and risk concepts as well as regulatory and best-practice standards for the generation of comprehensive analysis and data for internal decision-making and/or external dissemination. It requires supervising technical teams and collaborating with other units and departments across IFC, and also requires close collaboration with European institutions, including central banks.
The Principal Risk Officer shall be a motivated and dynamic professional, with exceptional risk analytical skills, computer and IT related skills, expertise in private sector development, a track record in development finance, and proven skills as team player and integrator.
The Principal Risk Officer will be based in Vienna, Austria, and report to the CRM Director and will be part of the CRM Leadership Team. The position will require traveling to IFC Headquarters, across Europe, and other locations of IFC operations.
Duties and Accountabilities :
Advisory and Technical Supervision of Risk Initiatives :
The Principal Risk Officer will collaborate closely with regional operational and risk staff based in Europe and other key hub offices of IFC and lead teams of technical experts analyzing and implementing forecasting tools, policies and processes, in the areas of financial sustainability, scenario analysis, technical support to risk-adjusted profitability, loan loss allowance, among others. Areas of responsibilities include:
โข Oversee the team in charge of quantitative work related to IFCโs financial performance and investment portfolio.
โข Oversee the team in charge of scenario analysis, and enhancement of IFCโs financial performance forecasting toolkit.
โข Act as a connector between contributors to a project, to ensure clarity of objectives, timelines, and deliverables.
โข Leverage technical expertise to brainstorm on proposals, troubleshoot issues, resolve challenges to ensure high quality outcomes.
โข Supervise the definition of business requirements for IT implementation of the agreed solutions.
โข Prepare communication materials on technical aspects, including briefings and presentations, to engage with project stakeholders and senior management.
โข The Principal Risk Officer is expected to work closely with the Director and members of the CRM leadership team to contribute to other strategic departmental and vice presidency initiatives that may arise as part of IFCโs 2030 strategy implementation and/or other analytic work and Corporate initiatives as needed.ย
GEMs Data Analytics:ย
Principal Risk Officer will lead a team of IFC staff working on the data analytics for enhancing the Global Emerging Markets Risk Database (GEMs), with a view to including new data points such as returns, impact, ESG and other dimensions deemed useful to investors. He/she will be responsible for collaborating across GEMs Consortium members/MDBs based in Europe, European institutions especially EIB and EBRD, as well as other large data contributors to GEMs, as well as European central banks. Areas of work include:
โข Lead the IFC GEMs data team, working closely with the IT team, as well as the GEM Secretariat based in EIB. This includes leading the (i) data analytics working groups and innovations for certain areas of GEMs in close coordination with the Luxembourg based GEMs Secretariat; and (ii) formalization of IFCโs data submissions to the GEMs webtool, in accordance with the GEMs Secretariat requirements.
โข Work closely with CRM staff and the IT team to (i) ensure the implementation of a robust automated system for data submissions, thereby optimizing the process; and (ii) design and implement a scalable process that can consistently address current data needs and facilitate the incorporation of future enhancements and requirements.
โข Act as the technical data analytics liaison/integrator on many fronts, especially across (i) all involved IFC data teams to ensure data accuracy and maximize the information contributed; and (ii) with the GEMs Secretariat and the new GEMs data aggregator based in Prague on defining GEMs methodology and other important data analytic work under review to enhance the GEMs database.
Selection Criteria
โข Advanced degree (PhD, MSc., or equivalent) in finance, statistics, mathematics, computer science, or engineering with a strong technical and quantitative background, and 12 years of work experience in the related field.
โข Minimum of 12 years of work experience in either financial modelling or risk management.
โข Complete fluency with database management and system-related project-management concepts. Familiarity with computer programming is a plus.
โข Sound knowledge and experience with capital markets, financial and credit analysis. Experience with risk-adjusted profitability measures a plus.
โข A focus on quality and execution of projects, along with a proven ability to perform multiple tasks, handle pressure, and meet strict deadlines.
โข Excellent written and oral communication skills including the ability to present complex and technical issues in simple terms.
โข Strong track record in providing intellectual leadership, managing, building talent, and motivating staff; becoming a strong mentor; and leading by example.
โข A willingness to contribute across the entire project life cycle from fundamental technical definition, analysis, problem solving to implementation, stakeholder reporting, and communication of results.
โข Practical problem-solving skills, creative-thinking, and self-motivation.
โข Excellent interpersonal skills with ability to work in a collaborative manner across multiple teams.
โข Experience working in multilateral development banks and/or development finance institutions a plus.
WBG Culture Attributes:
1. Sense of Urgency โ Anticipating and quickly reacting to the needs of internal and external stakeholders.
2. Thoughtful Risk Taking โ Taking informed and thoughtful risks and making courageous decisions to push boundaries for greater impact.
3. Empowerment and Accountability โ Engaging with others in an empowered and accountable manner for impactful results.
World Bank Group Core Competencies
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.
We are proud to be an equal opportunity and inclusive employer with a dedicated and committed workforce, and do not discriminate based on gender, gender identity, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability.
Learn more about working at theย World Bankย andย IFC, including our values and inspiring stories.