Senior Technical Lead Risk and Compliance (26-36)

The International Potato Center (CIP) is seeking a highly qualified and experienced Senior Technical Lead Risk and Compliance to join our team. This role is central to implementing, monitoring, and continuously improving CIP's corporate risk, compliance, assurance, and internal control frameworks. While it carries no direct supervisory responsibilities, the position provides institutional coordination, technical guidance, constructive challenge, and follow-up across functions, country offices, science programs, and corporate service units.

The role strengthens CIP's second line of defense, ensuring risk management processes, compliance requirements, internal controls, policies, assurance activities, and escalation mechanisms are consistently applied across the organization.

About CIP: CIP is part of the CGIAR global research partnership committed to transforming food, land, and water systems in a climate crisis. CIP’s mission is to develop and share science-based innovations in potato, sweetpotato, and other root and tuber crops. CIP partners with organizations in over 20 countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America to strengthen agri-food systems and provide economic, social, and nutritional benefits, especially for women and youth. We integrate social and biophysical sciences to address complex challenges in food and agriculture. For more information, please visit https://cipotato.org/about/.

The position: This role supports the operationalization of CIP's Risk Management Framework, Risk Appetite Statement, Assurance Map Framework, Policy Framework, Internal Control Framework, and Issue Management processes — aligned with CIP's institutional priorities, CGIAR expectations, ESG-related risk considerations, and recognized international standards including COSO, COSO ERM, and ISO 31000. The position reports to the Director of Operations and is based in Lima, Peru.

Key Responsibilties:

1.       Risk & Internal Control Framework Leadership

Lead the implementation and continuous strengthening of CIP's Risk Management, Internal Control, and Issue Escalation frameworks (aligned with COSO and ISO 31000). Maintain risk registers, dashboards, and reporting tools, identify control gaps, and drive proportionate, risk-based corrective actions across the organization.

2.       Assurance Mapping & Policy Alignment

Coordinate CIP's Assurance Map, working closely with Internal Audit, external auditors, and process owners to identify coverage gaps and strengthen oversight. Ensure the Policy Framework stays aligned with institutional risks and support the rollout of new policies through training and practical guidance.

3.       ESG & Institutional Risk Integration

Champion the integration of ESG-related risks — environmental, social, governance, safeguarding, and supply chain — into corporate risk registers, due diligence, procurement, and reporting processes, equipping teams with practical tools to manage these risks.

4.       Issue Management, Escalation & Audit Follow-up

Oversee the end-to-end issue management cycle: documentation, root cause analysis, escalation, and tracking of corrective actions. Coordinate audit follow-up (internal and external) and prepare clear, timely reports for senior management and governance bodies.

5.       Capacity Building & Culture of Compliance

Design and deliver training on risk, compliance, and internal controls, provide expert guidance to country offices and science programs, and champion a culture of accountability, ethics, and continuous improvement across CIP

What are we looking for?

•         Master's degree in a relevant field, plus 8+ years of experience in risk management, compliance, or a related function

•         Strong knowledge of governance, risk, compliance, assurance, and internal control principles

•      Solid understanding of COSO Internal Control, COSO ERM, ISO 31000, the Three Lines Model, and recognized good practice in governance, risk, and compliance

•     Working knowledge of assurance mapping, policy implementation, control design, compliance monitoring, issue management, risk registers, key risk indicators, and management action tracking

•         Understanding of ESG-related risk concepts, including governance, safeguarding, environmental, social, reputational, partner, and supply chain risks

•         Ability to assess risks, identify root causes, analyze control gaps, and propose practical mitigation measures

•      Strong writing, analytical, and reporting skills, with the ability to prepare clear reports for senior management and governance audiences

•       Strong interpersonal and influencing skills, with the ability to work effectively with senior management, process owners, country offices, science programs, and corporate service units

•         Ability to challenge constructively, exercise sound judgment, and maintain professional independence

•         High level of integrity, discretion, accountability, and attention to detail

•         Fluency in English required

Why should you consider this opportunity?

•   CIP is a global and reputable international organization that has a strong, state-of-the-art R&D background. 

•   CIP is dedicated to achieving food security, improving nutrition and well-being, and gender equity for poor people in roots, tubers farming and food systems in the developing world.

•   CIP is a member of the CGIAR, a global partnership that unites international organizations engaged in research about food security. CGIAR research aims to reduce rural poverty, increase food security, improve human health and nutrition, and sustainable management of natural resources.

What are we offering?

•         1-year contract with possibility of renewal based on performance

•         Competitive compensation package commensurate with experience

•         An excellent, collaborative working environment