Head: Risk, Governance and Control at Absa Group Limited (Absa)

Job Description

Accountability:  Enterprise Risk Management Framework (ERMF) 

• Supports the Group Chief Risk Officer in the development, execution and ongoing enhancement of the Risk Strategy and its related governance ensuring alignment and support to the group strategy.
• Develops the Enterprise Risk Management Framework, Principal Risks, supporting policies and its related Risk Taxonomy ensure, it is of a global standard that is fit-for-purpose, dynamic and forward-looking and continuously enhance it and obtain annual approval from the Board.
• Tracks and manages the execution of the Risk strategy through management forums, tools like OKRs, driving cross-functional initiatives and ensuring traction on execution.
• Ensures ERMF group-wide rollout and provide the necessary training interventions.
• Designs and implement appropriate risk measures (metrics) for evaluating the embedment and effective functioning of the ERMF.
• Reviews and enhances the Risk Target Operating Model to support the execution of Risk Strategy, ensuring its alignment with the ERMF.
• Works with PROs to define and execute world-class framework for operating Risk as a Regional multi country Bank.
• Ensures that Principal Risk Officers, Risk type owners and Chief Risk Officers operate within ERMF requirements with regards to:
• Their Business Unit/ Risk type Target Operating Models
• Having appropriate governance forums for effective management of risk.
• Establish methodology, undertake ERMF related conformance reviews, and report thereon in an agreed format.
• Performs ongoing international benchmarking and annual revisions to the ERMF based on global and emerging risk themes and present these to ERC and Board on an annual basis.
• Develop a Group Framework and Policy Standard that supports the optimal functioning of the ERMF.to ensure consistency of framework and Policy writing across the group
• Fulfil the custodial responsibility of the Group Framework and Policy suite, ensuring that it remains current, is timeously approved by the appropriate governance committees and is published for group-wide adoption.
• Manage the timetable for the review of the Framework and Policy suite to:
• Ensure adherence to group policy standard
• Alignment of sub-risks to the Risk Taxonomy, and
• Escalate bridges/ deviations to Exco and Board 

Accountability: Function governance and control 

• Ensure appropriate operational risk management and control culture across the risk function.
• Set non financial risk appetite for the area and monitor adherence thereof
• Lead the design or operation of processes and controls that are to be performed by or in conjunction with the Risk Sub Functional Managing Executives or other stakeholders.
• Accountable for continued functional drive to maintain a satisfactory management control approach and control environment that addresses all applicable risk types and processes.
• Ensure that the operational risk framework is understood and embedded across all its facets in the Risk Functions.
• Accountability for the oversight and the engagement with multiple functional areas that include; Governance and Control, Conformance, Operational key risks (Resilience, etc.), Audit, Compliance and with a view on current trends and future projections
• Implement and maintain effective governance structures within the risk function
• Monitors and escalate the remediation of open and overdue audit and management assurance action items within the operating environment for the Risk Function.

Accountability: Combined Assurance

• Provide clear direction on strategic goals, translating and prioritising them into business and performance measures
• Develop and Maintain the group Combined Assurance framework in alignment with governance, risk and compliance strategies.
• Act as strategic advisor to the group executives of the control functions (Risk, Internal Audit and Compliance) providing assurance, insights and reports on the effectiveness on controls in the organisaiton
• Facilitate the coordination of assurance across the three lines of deference to optimize assurance coverage and avoid duplication.
• Establish and oversee the Group Combined Assurance plan aligned with the groups Strategic priorities and risk profile and ensure assurance activities are planned and executed in a risk-based and integrated manner.
• Regularly report on the adequacy of internal controls to the group;s executive management and the Group Audit and Compliance committee working closely with the RTO: Operational and resilience risk.
• Provide consolidated insights to senior management
• Track implementation of actions resulting from assurance reviews.
• Put into place the required tools to ensure assurance work is executed in a consistent manner by each line of defence.

Accountability: People Management

• Provide clear direction on strategic goals, translating and prioritising them into business and performance measures
• Role model the Absa values and embed them through the function, enabling colleagues to operate and demonstrate the values at all times
• Review resource plans and ensure that resource allocation is in line with projected business plans and priorities
• With the HC partner, build an environment to support talent management, development and mobility
• Ensure people plans that align to the respective business and succession plans are in place
• Drive and lead the diversity and inclusion (D&I) agenda across the team. Ensure all relevant D&I activity is conducted within the function and contribute to the Absa D&I strategy
• Leverage the Absa wide learning agenda to develop and grow the capabilities within the team

Accountability: Stakeholder Management

• Build and maintain effective relationships with Operational Risk Heads and the Business Unit/Function CRO’s
• Actively participate in external forums as a means to establish and maintain networks in the financial services industry. Keep abreast of Industry and Regulatory developments
• Ensure effective interaction with the Absa Group CRO, CIA and Chief Compliance Officer together with their exco’
• Interface with all the Prudential Authority (South African Reserve Bank), and/or non-executive governance structures on risk matters.

Role/person specification

Preferred Education

BCom Hons, CA (SA), MBA, Masters or a related NQF Level 6 equivalent qualification
Preferred Experience

• Ten (10+) years’ experience in the Banking sector which must include proven experience. Ideally with international/regional exposure
• Ten (10) years ‘experience managing a large Control or Operations environment
• Five (5) years’ experience on a senior management level in a large corporate
• Experience at engagement at a Board level (Preferable)

Knowledge and Skills

• Strategic thinking: Ability to think and act in a strategic manner
• Communication and Influence: ability to communicate effectively across a range of senior stakeholders
• Strong networking skills. Awareness of cultural differences and varying legal/regulatory environments. Proven demonstration of communication skills at all levels within a large organisation. Stakeholder management on a senior and executive management level
• Innovation and change: ability to identify opportunities to improve service and deliver on these
• Proven leadership: ability to direct a large number of staff to achieve the Function objectives and goals.
• People management: ability to form and develop high performing teams with robust bench-strength. People development/management skills/orientation and team leadership
• Problem solving and decision-making: ability to quickly understand a situation and take decisive action that is bought into by stakeholders. Courageous to make tough calls
• Quality and Excellence: Commitment to quality, high standards and robust risk/control management. Proven ability to deliver service excellence, managing often conflicting priorities
• Strong knowledge of Corporate and Investment banking and broad technical products skills and general commercial/industry awareness
• Good knowledge of risk, controls and governance processes, tools and practices
• Domestic and international travel required
• Experience of working in a multinational, multi-segment environment with matrix reporting structures

Education

• Postgraduate Degrees and Professional Qualifications: Business, Commerce and Management Studies (Required)

End Date: June 13, 2025 (7 days left to apply)