Are you passionate about managing dilemmas, mitigating reputational risks, and contributing to sustainable development? Do you enjoy working across disciplines and engaging with diverse stakeholders to resolve issues? Apply for the role of (Senior) Issue Management Officer at FMO.
Your role
As a (Senior) Issue Management Officer, you will be part of the Special Operations (SO) team and you will play a pivotal role in identifying, analyzing, and managing reputational risks related to FMO’s investment portfolio (including SO portfolio). You will work closely with SO colleagues, Investment Teams, ESG+, Credit, Compliance, Legal and Corporate Stakeholder Engagement to address stakeholder concerns and complaints, including those submitted through the Independent Complaints Mechanism (ICM). You will also support the Integrity & Issue Management Committee (IIMC) secretariat and processes to ensure reputational risks are addressed proactively and transparently.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead or support the handling of complex issue cases and reputational risks across proposed, existing, and exited investments - meaning the creation of Issue Teams to ensure cross-departmental collaboration on complex cases.
- Coordinate internal responses to ICM complaints and act as the institutional focal point for the Independent Expert Panelist (IEP).
- Provide input into Clearance in Principle and Finance Proposal documents upon request and, in doing so, advise Credit and Investment Teams on reputational risk mitigation strategies.
- Provide strategic advice on responsible exits, stakeholder engagement, and reputational risk mitigation in memos and decision-making materials for IIMC, Non-Financial Risk Committee and the Management Board.
- As part of SO deal teams, to provide transactional advice to the deal teams on reputational risk mitigation in conjunction with responsible exits and stakeholder engagement at the investment level.
- Support Special Operations deal teams in internal committees such as the IIMC and prepare memos and decision-making materials.
- Support the implementation of lessons learned and contribute to internal policy development and guidance notes.
Our offer
- This position is graded on salary scale 11. All other employee benefits apply.
Your team
The Special Operations (SO) team is a diverse and experienced team of approximately 23 professionals. We are responsible for management and recovery of non-performing assets in the FMO portfolio (both FMO-A and Government Funds) and manage distressed assets worldwide, both in FMO’s key focus sectors (Energy, Financial Institutions and Agribusiness, Food and Forestry). The SO approach includes proactive management and follow-up of ESG challenges related to its portfolio with distressed clients in order to safeguard the envisaged development (E&S) impact as well as reducing potential reputational issues. The portfolio of SO is currently about EUR 400-500 mln. with more than 60 active client files.
The SO Issue Management sub-team, consisting of four colleagues, focuses on reputational risk management and grievance response, ensuring FMO remains accountable and responsive to stakeholders.
Due to a departure earlier this month, the SO team is looking for a Senior Issue Management Officer.
Your background
- Master’s or Bachelor’s degree in social sciences, international development, human rights, conflict resolution, or a related field.
- 4–7 years of relevant experience, ideally in a sector with exposure to developing countries, ESG risks, stakeholder engagement, and dispute resolution.
- Strong analytical and communication skills, with the ability to synthesize complex information and advise diverse audiences.
- High integrity, and discretion in handling sensitive matters.
- Fluency in English; additional languages such as French or Spanish are a plus.
- Willingness and ability to travel when necessary.
