Country Head of Audit - South Africa at Citi

Description

• The Head of Audit – South Africa is responsible for performing audits and assessments of Citi’s risk and control environments in coordination with the Audit team. The overall objective is to apply in- depth disciplinary knowledge through value-added perspectives or advisory service to help Citi reach business goals.

This role will be responsible for:

• Execution of Country Audit assurance plan in line with Citi IA methodology by understanding regulatory landscape and key risks related to Citi franchise, overseeing, and reviewing work completed by other team members and identifying opportunities for enhancing efficiency and quality of delivery.
• Delivering on time high quality Audit reports, Internal Audit and Regulatory issue validation, as well as business monitoring and governance committee reporting.
• Leading, providing supervision, and developing medium-sized team of auditors within the cluster to ensure quality audit and regulatory delivery.
• Representing Citi IA function in discussions with regulators within the cluster and delivering regulatory commitments.
• Partnering with the IA product and functional teams to ensure alignment and focus on critical priorities and oversee strategic coordination; including monitoring progress and tracking actions in achieving stated critical priorities and ensuring effective communication and information flow across team leads.
• Working with IA Quality Assurance (QA) team to address any QA findings, regulatory issues against IA etc.
• Working with IA Management Information (MI) team to analyse audit data in audit systems from a regional perspective; ensuring corrections are made, as required, and following up to ensure errors detected are sustainably addressed.
• Appropriately assessing risk when business decisions are made, demonstrating particular consideration for the firm's reputation and safeguarding Citi, its clients and assets, by driving compliance with applicable laws, rules and regulations, adhering to Policy, applying sound ethical judgment regarding personal behaviour, conduct and business practices, and escalating, managing and reporting control issues with transparency, as well as effectively supervise the activity of others and create accountability with those who fail to maintain these standards.
• Maintaining an appropriate, pro-active, constructive, solutions-driven relationship as the independent auditor with the Chief Country Officer (CCO); and support the CCO in the fulfilment of their responsibilities in respect of governance, risk management and internal control.
• Ensuring the Audit Committee, CCO and in-country Management receives prompt, timely and complete information relating to the activities of Internal Audit as part of governance forums and regular updates.

Skills:

• Excellent communication skills – both written and verbal; ability to digest vast amounts of information and be able to succinctly present messages.
• Good numerical and analytical skills. Ability to deal with data and derive insights. Advanced skills with Excel. Demonstrating a high level of analytical rigor in formulating objectives and measuring results. Operating with passion and real drive when pursuing goals.
• Strong interpersonal skills for interfacing with all levels within the organization and beyond, including senior management and regulators. Effective influencing skills, a proactive and 'no surprises' approach in communicating issues/requests.
• Pragmatic problem solver, forward thinker with independence of thought.
• Promotes a culture of collaboration and teamwork across organizational boundaries; willing to break down functional silos to optimize business results and to facilitate the overall growth of the franchise.
• Self-motivated and goal oriented.
• Sense of urgency in implementing programs and evaluating priorities; decisive, action-oriented and practical.
• Willing to challenge and question the status quo, making recommendations for options and best solutions.
• Critical thinking is a key requirement of the role, as themes related to risks and issues around the organization will be identified and presented to key stakeholders, such as senior management, the Audit Committee, Board, regulators, and external audit functions.
• Effective leader, being able to manage and develop auditors with different experience and background, building a culture of trust, support, and accountability.

Knowledge, experience, and qualifications:

• Minimum 15 years of experience (with at least 10 years in banking) with at least 2 years at General Manager/VP grade level
• Minimum of 5 years must have been in a senior position within the audit function.
• Minimum of 1st degree. BA/BS or equivalent.
• Higher degree or related certifications (ACCA, CIA, CPA, ACA, CFA, CISA, CAMS or similar) is mandatory.
• Experience in at least 3 major areas of banking
• Experience in working with global teams and dealing with integrated internal audit and assurance delivery.
• Good understanding of banking sector.
• Prior experience of conducting risk-based audits and presenting results to management.
• Experience in managing regulatory relationships and presenting insights into governance committees.
• Knowledge and experience of risk issue management criteria, tools, and methods.
• Understanding of how risks and control deficiencies need to be prioritized and remediated across the first and second line of defence.