A vision of

risk management
in UNHCR
Our vision

We will achieve strong risk management

culture across all UNHCR operational and
management areas.
We will take and manage risks and
opportunities consistently, consciously
and collectively.

2 | A vision of risk management in UNHCR

Why risk
management matters

“
Risk management supports
the achievement of UNHCR’s
objectives.
Managing risks means asking critical The commitment to
questions to understand the possible protecting people forced to
options and to help make the best flee, our personnel and the
possible decisions.
resources that are entrusted
What might hinder our success? to us, entails taking the right

Have we done everything possible

to address those threats?

Which opportunities can we seize to

risks and managing them
proactively and efficiently.
Filippo Grandi
UNHCR High Commissioner
“
achieve better outcomes for the
people we serve?

By scanning the horizon to know

what may lie ahead, we can adapt
our course of action to give us the
best chance of creating the change
we are striving for.

A vision of risk management in UNHCR | 3

Thinking ahead helps
fulfil our mission
To deliver in the places From climate change to pandemics,
where we are needed we rise to new challenges which
amplify the already significant risks
most, we work in complex
posed by displacement. We do so
environments under the through close collaboration with
threats of armed conflict, displaced people, local authorities,
terrorism, fraud and host communities and our partners,
corruption that can often entailing careful diplomacy and
generate high risk for difficult decisions
affected populations and To maximize our impact, we remain
the organization. focused on unlocking opportunities
and developing new approaches
to protection, such as through the
Global Compact on Refugees.
As we respond to the needs of an
ever-larger number of displaced
people worldwide, UNHCR is
growing and changing. Expectations
placed on us by those forced to flee,
host communities, Member States,
partners and colleagues have never
been higher. These challenges and
the rapid evolution of the
organization come with mounting
uncertainties.

4 | A vision of risk management in UNHCR

Through experience, we have
learned that better managed
risks and opportunities mean a
greater chance of success for our
programmes.
“
Good risk management
helps us be better prepared
for what lies ahead,
thereby strengthening our
accountability to the people
When we prepare for a potential
refugee influx, anticipate the possible
long-term effects of a crisis on
protection space or funding, or put in
place anti-fraud measures, we think
we serve, our partners and
Member States.
Raouf Mazou
UNHCR Assistant High
“
ahead and take proactive, risk-
Commissioner for Operations
informed action.
Reinforcing this collective ability is
the cornerstone of UNHCR’s
approach to risk management.

A vision of risk management in UNHCR | 5

Progress made
together
UNHCR has made significant progress in responding to the
uncertainties that characterize our operating environment.
Some examples of our achievements to date include:

Reviewing the risks that we face Deploying risk advisers to support

more regularly, and jointly deciding on high-risk operations like Kenya, Yemen
the best possible way forward and Bangladesh, where millions of
people benefit from our work
Putting in place the people, tools,
policies and processes to manage Strengthening our key processes,
key risks, such as sexual abuse and such as supply chain management
exploitation, or diversion of aid during emergencies or selection
of partners, to improve results and
Broadening our risk assessments from prevent fraud and corruption
being country-specific to also cover
wider events and situations, ensuring a Using up-to-date, quality risk
more comprehensive approach to information and data to help us
complex, cross-border displacements inform our decisions

6 | A vision of risk management in UNHCR

“

© UNHCR/Kamrul Hasan
When an emergency spills over into
many countries, exchanging information
on the risks faced across operations
helps colleagues develop a shared
“
understanding of a complex situation
and lay out common solutions. This is a
key step towards achieving an effective
and coordinated response.
Hanne Raatikainen
UNHCR Chief Risk Officer

A vision of risk management in UNHCR | 7

Taking the
next steps
We must continue to develop In a decentralized global organization
a shared understanding of 18,000 people, we may have
different perceptions of risks and
across UNHCR of how to best how to handle them. Some of us are
take and manage risks and comfortable taking risks, while others
opportunities – consistently, are more cautious.
consciously and collectively. The culture of risk management
is not yet fully even and this may leave
some operations vulnerable to
unanticipated threats, or unprepared
to seize opportunities when they arise.
To fully benefit from risk management
in our programme delivery, work must
continue. Building on our existing
tools, systems, and processes, and
guided by the 2025 Risk Management
Strategy, the High Commissioner
has called for a sustained, strong
risk management culture across the
organization.

8 | A vision of risk management in UNHCR

Together, we will succeed when:
• We systematically consider risks and
opportunities and embed risk
management into our day-to-day
work
“
Thinking about risks and
opportunities has become
second nature to many of us.
This has a positive impact in
• We share an understanding of our
key risks and how to tackle them
• We consider our longer-term
challenges alongside more immediate
the lives of refugees, as we
focus more on longer-term,
sustainable solutions.
Maria Stavropoulou
“
risks, and use risk analysis to shape our UNHCR Country Representative
strategies and responses
• We feel empowered to raise
concerns, and are confident that
managers will listen and act
• We learn from past experiences –
good and bad – to improve our
results
These positive behaviours, supported by
a strong risk management framework,
will help ensure good use of our
resources and maximize our ability to
successfully deliver on our mandate.

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Your contribution

Field-based, screen-based, office,

tent or HQ: we all have the power
to think ahead and make sound,
risk-informed decisions that
contribute to UNHCR’s success.
We always welcome your questions,
comments and ideas – please
contact us: [email protected]

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 Whoever you are
and whatever you
do for UNHCR,
thank you for always
thinking ahead.

A vision of risk management in UNHCR | 11

| Risk Management