Head Pan African Payments Risk and Governance at Absa Group Limited (Absa)

Job Description

The role is primarily responsible for:

• The delivery and maintenance of a Pan Africa Payments and Regulatory COE Governance and Control Framework while ensuring alignment to regulatory requirements and internal policies
• Define and revise risk standards in alignment with Global Payments best practice standards
• Ensure embedment and adherence to all risk and payment standards across all payments businesses To oversee governance, risk and control for the Pan Africa Payments and Regulatory COE business
• Setting and managing overall risk appetite for the business together with ORM, Country CRO’s, Audit and principal risk owners.
• Ensure reconciliations are performed according to standards and that escalation is in place through appropriate dashboards.
• Ensure adherence to the risk event standards and governance.
• Ensure quick and appropriate reporting and investigation of risk events Ensure accurate and appropriate risk event articulation and escalation.
• Ensure all new payment products and implementations are fit for purpose.
• Ensuring satisfactory audits across all markets.
• Working closely with business units to identify potential risks and implement appropriate controls to mitigate them. They provide guidance and support to business units on compliance-related matters, including monitoring and reporting on compliance activities.
• Plays a critical role in ensuring that the P&R COE operates in a manner that is compliant with regulations and industry standards, while also minimizing risks to the organization's reputation and financial performance Innovate and implement an appropriate proactive digital risk event solution

Key Accountabilities

Governance 

• Deliver, implement, and maintain a ‘fit for purpose’ TxB Risk and Control governance framework aligned to regulatory requirements, internal policies and alignment to industry standards.
• Together with relevant stakeholders, ensure P&R COE process and solutions are “fit for purpose”
• Together with and business heads operating in accordance with the ERMF provisions as well as ensure its embedment
• Ensure the appropriate risk governance is followed.
• Proactively address shortcomings and regulatory changes to ensure Integrity and good customer outcomes are maintained.
• Driving the remediation of risks across the business whilst ensuring that enterprise risks road to satisfactory and remediation plans are prioritised
• Identifying and managing risks within the organization Accountability: Risk Management and Compliance
• Ensure that the Payment and Regulatory COE governance framework applicable to the business is documented and distributed to the different business areas for implementation and embedment in their processes
• Act as a principal sponsor for the area’s Enterprise Risk Management Framework
• Ensure there are proper internal audit procedures and the timely resolution of all audit findings Manage key risks through an inclusive governance framework to keep key stakeholders accountable
• Ensure that all key risks are allocated to responsible individuals and that they are managed and reported on through the governance framework
• Ensure that the team understands all compliance requirements and that all regulatory requirements are adhered to
• Undertake periodic formal reviews on each product and report results and proposed remedial action to the Leadership Team. Influence necessary senior stakeholders and drive implementation of remedial actions. Accountability: People Management
• Lead, develop and motivate the Payment and Regulatory COE Governance and Innovation team – including responsibility for performance management, development, under performance, training, assuming reward and recognition, grievance cases and discipline Appropriately resource the team to execute the strategy by recruiting and attracting talent to the organisation
• Create a high-performance environment and effective team working

Stakeholder Relationships 

• Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, including business unit leaders, external auditors, and regulatory bodies.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, including Operational Risk leaders, Enterprise risk functional leads and enterprise risk managers, and critical role players with CIB, Group and Board. Effective stakeholder expectation management through engagement, sound reporting and governance structures
• Ensure that accurate and timely reporting on the bank's risk profile, control environment, and compliance with regulatory requirements is provided to senior management and the board of directors

Education and Experience Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Commerce, banking, Economics or Similar (NQF level 6.)
• Post Graduate degree or MBA (NQF Level 7) is preferable
• Ten (10) plus years Payments and Banking experience . 10 years experience and proven track record in a similar role
• Knowledge of exchange control and sanctions an advantage Knowledge and Skills
• CIB and Payments Legislation and Compliance Strategic planning and management
• Attention to detail
• Written and verbal communication and presentation skills
• Risk and Fraud Management
• Financial Acumen Interpersonal and communicating skills
• Management and Leadership Skills
• Relationship Building and Networking skills Competencies
• Analytical and problem-solving skills
• Formulating strategies and concepts
• Entrepreneurial and commercial thinking
• Decisive and Proactive
• Persuasive and influencing
• Translate expertise and technology into

Education

• Bachelor`s Degrees and Advanced Diplomas: Business, Commerce and Management Studies (Required)