Head of Global Risk, Integrity & Safety

ABOUT THE FRED HOLLOWS FOUNDATION

The Foundation is an international development organisation working to prevent blindness and restore sight.  We continue to carry on the legacy of Professor Fred Hollows, who believed every person had the right to quality eye care, no matter where they live. The Foundation has grown to work in more than 25 countries throughout Africa, South Asia, Southeast Asia, the Middle East and the Pacific, as well as Australia. The Foundation has restored sight to more than 3 million people worldwide. We have an ambitious five-year strategic plan that aims to take us even closer to realising our vision of a world in which no person is needlessly blind or vision impaired and Indigenous Australians exercise their right to sight and good health.

THE OPPORTUNITY

The Head of Global Risk, Integrity & Safety provides strategic leadership and operational oversight to embed a culture of proactive risk management and continuous improvement across The Fred Hollows Foundation, which operates in more than 25 countries worldwide. The role strengthens organisational resilience and accountability through integrated approaches to risk, safety and assurance. This role encompasses oversight of risk management, investigations, financial crime risk; safety and crisis preparedness.

The Head of Global Risk, Integrity & Safety leads the design and implementation of global risk management policies and practices that enable effective decision-making and accountability at all levels and serves as The Foundation’s lead investigator for safeguarding, financial crime, and integrity matters.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Risk Leadership

• Lead the design and implementation of global risk management policies and practices, ensuring alignment with The Foundation’s governance and operational priorities across its global operations.
• Develop and embed a risk management approach that supports effective decision-making, accountability, and resilience across all levels of the organisation
• Act as a strategic risk partner to country teams, supporting Country Managers and their teams to identify, understand, and respond to high-level risks in real time.
• Lead training and capability building of staff on risk awareness, ownership, and mitigation strategics

Crisis Management and Business Continuity

• Participate in crisis planning and response efforts to ensure optimal business continuity and risk mitigation in all countries of operation.

Investigations and Internal Audit

• Strategically plan and oversee the investigations function ensuring it is fit-for-purpose for complex, high-risk environments and supports organisational integrity and accountability.
• Serve as the lead investigator for The Foundation, responsible for conducting and overseeing investigations, and engaging relevant internal investigators as required.
• Collaborate closely with the independent internal audit function to ensure alignment with organisational needs and governance priorities, while respecting independence.

Financial Crime and Due Diligence

• Act as The Foundation’s Financial Crimes & Investigations Officer, accountable for the financial crime risk domain.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Strategically partner with country teams, program leads and operational managers to embed risk thinking into daily decision-making and planning.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED TO SUCCEED

• Extensive experience in leading global risk management functions – including internal audit, investigation and financial crime risk, within complex high-risk programming environments across multiple countries or regions.
• Demonstrated ability to partner with country teams and program leaders to embed risk thinking into operational decision-making, with a deep understanding of the realities and constraints of field-based programming.
• Strong programmatic work experience in an international development context, in order to ensure audits are effective in our context.
• Proven track record in designing and implementing risk frameworks and assurance models that are contextually relevant and responsive to country-level needs.
• Experience serving as a lead investigator for sensitive and high-stakes matters, with the ability to engage and guide internal investigators across diverse geographies.
• Strong experience in providing strategic oversight of independent audit processes, ensuring alignment with governance principles and programmatic priorities.
• Familiarity with safeguarding, safety and crisis management practices in global operational settings, particularly in humanitarian or development contexts

How we recognise your contribution

Through our internal programs and employee benefits we aim to create an environment where you will feel supported and empowered.  Whether your focus is on continuous learning, professional development or finding an environment which enables you to thrive while balancing family or personal commitments, we have a range of programs in place to support you. Including :

• Generous salary packaging, we provide access to not-for-profit salary packaging options, which will increase your take home pay.
• Flexible work environment, we focus on output, not hours and enable you to prioritise your health and wellbeing
• Generous leave allowances
• Ongoing commitment to your continuous learning and career development, through tailored leadership and professional development programs, and focused development conversations.

To find out more about our benefits click here

APPLICATIONS

Please apply directly using the “Apply” button. Your application should include a CV and, preferably, a cover letter that outlines your interest in the role and addresses the key criteria listed in the “Key Responsibilities”, and “What you need to succeed” sections of the advertisement.

Applications Close : Sunday the 16th of November 2025

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are encouraged to apply for this position.

The Fred Hollows Foundation is committed to protecting the rights of children and community partners in all areas where we work. Applicants are advised that The Foundation reserves the right to conduct police checks, and other screening procedures to ensure we maintain and promote a child safe environment. In addition, The Foundation reserves the right to verify qualifications and credentials of applicants as part of our recruitment and screening processes.

Please note : We will not be accepting CV’s via agencies for this role.

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