Purpose of the Role

The Chief Risk Officer (CRO) will be the guardian of risk management at P4L, responsible for designing and implementing frameworks that safeguard the Fund’s financial stability, operational integrity, and market resilience. Reporting directly to the CEO, the CRO will oversee market, credit, and operational risk functions, ensuring that P4L’s guarantee operations, investments, and supply chain activities are executed within defined risk appetites.

This role requires a leader with deep expertise in enterprise risk management, structured trade finance, and agribusiness operations, capable of anticipating risks, designing mitigation strategies, and ensuring compliance with regulatory and ESG standards.

Key Responsibilities

Risk Strategy & Governance Framework

· Design and implement an all-encompassing ERM framework that aligns with SEC regulations, IFRS 9 (Expected Credit Loss), and international best practices for Unit Trust Schemes.

· Formulate the Fund’s Risk Appetite Statement, setting clear thresholds for commodity concentration, single-obligor limits, and geographic exposure.

· Serve as the primary technical advisor to the Board Risk Committee and the SEC on all matters concerning the Fund’s risk profile and solvency status.

Credit Risk & Underwriting Oversight

· Oversee the development of proprietary credit-scoring models for agricultural aggregators and institutional offtakers.

· Provide the ultimate "Risk Veto" on guarantee applications that fail to meet the Fund’s technical or financial safety standards.

· Partner with Finance to establish the Expected Credit Loss (ECL) models, ensuring that the Fund maintains adequate provisions for potential defaults without stifling operational growth.

Market & Liquidity Risk Management

· Develop sophisticated stress-testing and scenario-analysis models to assess the impact of global/local commodity price fluctuations on the Fund's guarantee obligations.

· In collaboration with the CFO, monitor the Fund’s liquidity ratios to ensure sufficient "Buffer" for immediate guarantee payouts during systemic market shocks.

· Manage exposure to currency volatility for export-bound corridors, recommending hedging strategies to preserve the Fund's capital value.

Operational Risk & TC Services Validation

· Identify and mitigate risks within the "TC Services" (Technical Consultant) workflow, ensuring that independent verification and monitoring processes are immune to fraud or technical error.

· Establish zero-tolerance protocols for internal and external fraud, ensuring that the "Digital Traceability" platform provides unhackable evidence for every guarantee issuance.

· Lead the "Disaster Recovery" and "Business Continuity" planning for the Fund’s operations, ensuring food systems infrastructure remains functional during civil or economic disruptions.

ESG, Climate & Team Performance

· Since agriculture is weather-dependent, lead the integration of climate-risk data (rainfall patterns, pest outbreaks) into the Fund's risk assessments.

· Build and mentor an elite team of Risk Analysts and Economists, fostering a culture of Objectivity, Rigor, and Ethical Courage.

· Set and monitor KPIs for the risk directorate, ensuring "Risk Velocity"—the speed at which risks are identified and mitigated—is maximized

Stakeholder Engagement

· Act as the primary risk interface with PFIs, aggregators, processors, and institutional buyers.

· Collaborate with DFIs, regulators, and rating agencies to strengthen P4L’s risk credibility.

· Lead sensitization and training programs on risk awareness and compliance for the ecosystem

Qualifications & Certificates

· Advanced degree in Risk Management, Finance, Economics, or Business Administration (MBA/CFA preferred).

Experience Required

· Minimum of 20–25 years’ senior leadership experience in risk management, finance, or agribusiness operations.

· Advanced degree in Risk Management, Finance, Economics, or Business Administration (MBA/CFA preferred).

· Proven track record in enterprise risk management, credit underwriting, and market risk analysis.

· Strong expertise in structured trade finance and agricultural value chain risk.

· Deep knowledge of SEC regulations, risk governance frameworks, and ESG standards.

· Skilled at building relationships and influencing stakeholders at all levels of the organisation, including at the most senior levels

· Skilled in articulating and presenting compelling value propositions for service offerings

· Excellent communication skills, both written and oral

· Strong decision-making skills, including the ability to balance conflicting interests

· Self-motivated with the ability to work well both independently and in a team-oriented, collaborative environment

· Experience of working in a multi-cultural environment

· Ability to deal with ambiguity, find creative resolutions, and drive for results

· Ability to listen and respond objectively to new ideas