Chief Risk, Monitoring and Evaluation Officer at Mining Qualifications Authority (MQA)

ROLE PURPOSE:

• To support the business units through assisting in the alignment of business objectives with people management.

This position reports to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Key Performance Areas:

• Risk Management:  Develop and oversee the implementation of the Risk Management and Combined Assurance Frameworks, policies, and procedures.  Facilitate the development, maintenance, and monitoring of Strategic and Operational Risk Registers, including the implementation of risk mitigation plans and the management of emerging risks.  Ensure the effective implementation of Combined Assurance and coordinate risk assurance activities across the organisation.  Prepare and submit risk management reports, documentation, and statutory returns to management, governance structures, and the Department.  Coordinate and monitor internal audit and risk assurance activities.  Promote and ensure compliance with risk management policies, procedures, and governance requirements across the organisation.
• Fraud and Investigations:  Develop and manage the implementation of the Fraud Prevention Policy.  Manage the procurement process to source fraud hotline service providers.  Analyse reports, assess the need for investigations, and prepare monthly reports for submission.  Conduct preliminary investigations relating to Fraud Hotline allegations.  Manage the Fraud Hotline service provider to ensure delivery in line with the Service Level Agreement (SLA).  Conduct fraud awareness campaigns.  Manage the procurement process to source service providers to investigate allegations where necessary.  Manage forensic audits conducted by external specialists.  Engage with relevant law enforcement authorities and other stakeholders on internal and external investigations, where necessary.  Report to the ARC/FINCOM, EXCO, AA, and the Department where necessary.
• Monitoring & Evaluation:  Develop and oversee the implementation of the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Policy Framework.  Oversee the implementation of M&E systems and procedures.  Oversee the verification allocation process using a risk-based approach.  Monitor programme delivery to ensure alignment with Service Level Agreements (SLAs).  Ensure and oversee the consolidation and analysis of monitoring information across all projects.  Develop and implement M&E tools to measure the impact of the MQA’s contribution towards skills development.  Conduct impact studies.  Oversee the procurement process for conducting impact studies and manage service providers in line with the relevant SLAs.  Report on Monitoring and Evaluation activities to the relevant governance structures.  Oversee the validation and verification of the delivery of MQA programmes in line with the M&E Policy Framework.  Oversee verifications of projects and programmes.  Oversee tracer studies and other evaluations.
• Internal Audit:  Coordinate and oversee the Internal Audit function.  Develop and maintain the Internal Audit Findings Register.  Follow up on agreed management action plans arising from audit findings and update the register with progress and status reports.  Report on Internal Audit activities and findings to management and relevant governance structures.  Monitor the implementation of audit recommendations and corrective actions.  Liaise between Internal Audit and management to facilitate the effective execution of audit activities and resolution of audit findings.
• External Audit:  Develop and maintain the Auditor-General Management Letter Findings Register to ensure audit findings are addressed and closed timeously.  Follow up on the implementation of agreed action plans and update the register accordingly.  Report on external audit matters to management, relevant governance structures, and the Department.  Coordinate and facilitate the external audit process to ensure effective engagement and communication between the auditors and the MQA.  Establish and maintain effective working relationships between the external auditors and the MQA to support efficient and effective audit processes.
• Compliance Management: Develop and maintain the Compliance Calendar.  Oversee branch activities reflected in the Compliance Calendar, provide compliance alerts, and update the status of implementation.  Manage compliance with the organisation’s policies, procedures, and applicable regulatory requirements.  Manage compliance with the Risk Management Strategy and other organisational policies and processes.  Report on compliance matters to management and relevant governance structures.  Ensure compliance with policies and procedures relating to Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E), Risk and Compliance, and Quality Assurance (QA).
• Ensure the delivery of quality Learning Programmes in the Mining and Mineral Sector:  Oversee the implementation of ETQA plans in line with the approved budget.  Ensure the provision of quality training programmes through the accreditation of providers, employers, and institutions.  Ensure compliance with qualification and learning material development frameworks in line with sector requirements and SETA requirements.  Oversee the approval of assessment centres, including learner certification processes.  Oversee support provided to HDSA training providers within the sector.  Oversee learner certification processes.  Contribute to Quality Assurance aspects of the Funding Policy, including learning materials, and standard-setting bodies.  Oversee the implementation of QCTO policies as delegated.
• Performance Management and Validation:  Develop and maintain the performance validation system and related procedures.  Oversee the validation of MQA performance information submitted by relevant branches on the delivery of MQA programmes, in line with the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Policy Framework. Oversee performance validation (performance auditing) to ensure the accuracy, completeness, and reliability of reported performance information.  Ensure that evidence supporting performance achievements and goal completions is validated prior to the submission of information to internal and external stakeholders.  Prepare and submit reports on performance management and validation activities to management and relevant governance structures.  Liaise with Internal Audit to facilitate independent assurance activities on performance information.  Manage Combined Assurance activities by coordinating assurance providers, reviewing assurance outcomes, and maintaining a holistic view of organisational performance risks prior to their inclusion in the Risk Register.
• Financial Management:  Lead the development of the Risk & Compliance, Quality Assurance, and Monitoring & Evaluation departmental budget.  Oversee the implementation of operational plans in line with the approved budget.  Ensure the efficient utilisation of the budget and the optimisation of costs.  Oversee the management of departmental accruals and commitments.  Oversee the procurement of goods and services in line with approved policies and procedures.  Ensure compliance with financial reporting and audit requirements.
• People Management:  Oversee the implementation of the Performance Management System.  Manage and monitor employee performance to ensure the achievement of organisational and departmental objectives.  Ensure the development, guidance, coaching, and empowerment of employees to enhance performance and productivity.  Ensure that performance agreements are concluded prior to the commencement of each financial year and are aligned with approved strategies and plans.  Monitor performance against agreed targets and implement corrective measures where necessary to address performance gaps.  Ensure compliance with organisational performance management policies, procedures, and reporting requirements.
• Quality Management Systems:  Oversee the implementation of the Quality Management System (QMS).  Oversee the management and maintenance of the Quality Management System, including the non-conformance register.  Monitor Quality Management System gaps and ensure that appropriate corrective and improvement measures are implemented.  Oversee the promotion, awareness, and integration of the Quality Management System throughout the organisation and provide guidance on quality management matters.
• Customer Focus:  Develop and maintain effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders.  Engage with stakeholders and respond to queries in a timely and professional manner.  Facilitate stakeholder consultations and meetings as required.  Promote effective communication and collaboration to support organisational objectives.

Key requirements: qualifications, experience, and competencies

Qualifications:

• A Postgraduate Diploma or Honours Degree (NQF 8) preferred in Risk Management, Internal Auditing, Accounting, Finance, Governance, Monitoring & Evaluation.
• A Masters Degree (NQF 9) will be an added advantage.

Experience:

• Minimum of 10 years’ management experience of which 7 years must have been spent at Senior Management Level in the following fields: Audit & Assurance, Risk & Compliance, Monitoring & Evaluation.
• Excellent knowledge of the SETA landscape and the relevant policies, legislation and regulations that govern it.
• Engagement with Board and/or Senior Public Servants and experience in the SETA environment will be advantageous.
• Engagement with Internal & External Auditors.

COMPETENCIES:

• knowledge:  Understand current issues and challenges, training skills development and SETAs across SA.  Knowledge of strategic national policy imperatives guiding skills development in South Africa  Knowledge of Government Policies and Procedure  Knowledge of financial and organisational management  Knowledge of Corporate Governance, Risk Management, methodologies and processes  Knowledge of marketing communication methodologies.
• Skills:  Communication and representation  Facilitation and counselling skills  Strategic and leadership capability (Business acumen)  People skills  Self-management, Information management.
• Attributes:  Strong analytical and technical abilities  Results orientated  Stake holder orientation
• Resilience  Emotional Intelligence, situational sensitivity, decisiveness, People orientation.

The candidate should also be willing to:

• Ability to work effectively under pressure and manage multiple priorities within demanding timeframes, including extended working hours when required.  Work with a variety of internal and external stakeholders.  Travel away from home if required.  Engage in a lifelong learning process relative to the context of the workplace. The successful candidate will be required to sign a performance agreement in terms of MQA Performance Management System.

Closing Date: 19 July 2026.