Integrated reporting specialist at Absa

Job Summary

• To support the Senior Integrated reporting Specialist to perform the activities required to produce the Group’s annual integrated report () for presentation to external stakeholders of the Group to ensure that integrated report is prepared accurately and timeously and complies with International Integrated Reporting Council’s Framework, while considering other relevant / influencing frameworks such as King IV, the JSE Limited listing requirements and the Companies Act as well as specific requirements as communicated by external stakeholders (primarily investors), internal stakeholders, the Group Disclosure Committee (a sub-committee of the Group Audit and Compliance Committee) and the Board of Directors for Absa Group Limited.

Job Description

• Integrated Reporting Specialist (supporting role to Senior Integrated Reporting Specialist)

Key Accountabilities 

Accountability: Stakeholder management

• Support key relationships in the development of the and related disclosures.
• Support relationships across the Group to balance dependencies and align outcomes in accordance with the Group’s reporting ambition.
• Support communication channels to key internal stakeholders and subject matter experts etc. so to provide relevant information on integrated report matters (including voluntary codes, changes in regulatory requirements and best practice).
• Keep key stakeholders abreast with any relevant information deemed important.
• Assist in preparing submissions to the ExCo and Board Disclosure Committee.
• Keep up to date with changes in integrated reporting disclosures, including assurance practices.

Accountability:  External reporting – Group integrated report and supplementary documents

• Support in the preparation of the overall project plan to produce the Group’s annual report suite in consultation with other report owners and the regulatory timeframes as governed by the Companies Act and JSE Listings Requirements. 
• Deliver against a detailed project plan including deliverables, timelines, meeting management, minutes, action log and escalation log.
• Work closely with colleagues responsible for the Group’s Environmental, Social and Governance; B-BBEE; remuneration; shareholder and risk disclosures to support the delivery of the broader annual report requirements.
• Prepare the required reporting templates to ensure that all the relevant disclosure requirements are included and ensure that all structure changes and other conceptual changes are incorporated timeously.
• Assist in the conceptualisation and execution of the Group’s annual report design in collaboration with both external (agencies including those responsible for the external financial reports) and internal designers (through Group Markets – Brand).
• Assist in the consolidation of information (quantitative and qualitative) to meet the Framework requirements, where deemed appropriate.
• Research, collect information and interview subject matter experts as part of content development.
• Assist in the development of narratives/content based on information gathered in consultation with relevant stakeholders.
• Work with external design and visualisation experts to develop innovative ways to present information.
• Review all components of and supplementary external reports to ensure reasonability, validity, accuracy and consistency across all.
• Agree prior year figures to reported figures. Follow up and resolve any discrepancies, considering re‐statements where applicable. Ensure that financial information in the integrated report agrees to financial information as reported in other external reports.
• Provide support to the Reward (Remuneration) team in respect of the remuneration disclosure in financial statement and the full Remuneration Report design, typesetting and finalisation of queries received from external audit or sponsors.
• Provide support in resolving any external audit queries after review of the integrated report.
• Assist in the conceptualisation and implementation of potential technologies or process automations to enhance and streamline the reporting process.

Accountability:  Web presence 

• Assist in the development and execution of the web-based presentation of the integrated annual report.

Accountability: Process 

• Assist in the ongoing review of the documented processes to improve processes to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of the delivery in support of desired outcomes and deadlines.
• Working with internal stakeholders, enhance data management through the course of the year for effective reporting delivery.
• Assist in developing a process of assurance over the integrated report and related internal controls, including determining assurance scope and boundary
• Assist in managing the integrated assurance process
• Assist with compilation of evidence to support independent assurance of the integrated report

Accountability:  Supplier management

• Assist in the contracting, and management of, the external suppliers within the project including the report design/typesetting/printing, advisory and assurance providers.
• Assist in tracking of supplier cost, project progress and issue logging. Escalation of issues proactively to ensure timeous resolution.
• Prepare close out (debrief) reports with each supplier including substantiation of fee overruns (where applicable).

Accountability:  Other external and internal reporting

• Assist with the compilation of various internal reports to the Audit Committee
• Provide adhoc support throughout the year on peer team deliverables e.g. accuracy checks of profit and dividend to booklet, compilation of content for external benchmarking activities and so on.
• Provide adhoc support throughout the year to various internal teams leveraging the final publish content for inclusion in group-wide deliverables including, but not limited to, regulatory submissions, customer presentation, due diligence processes and so on.

Education and experience required:

• NQF Level 6: B Degree + minimum of 5 years related experience
• Experience in project management (preferred)
• Experience in integrated reporting (preferred)
• Experience in communications and writing (advantageous)
• Experience in working in cross functional teams
• Project experience involving several stakeholders at various levels of the organisation

Knowledge and skills: 

• Project management
• Analytical skills
• Communication (verbal and written)
• Report writing
• Specialist knowledge and skills
• Facilitation
• Negotiation
• Microsoft Office ‐ Teams, Word, Excel, PowerPoint
• InDesign knowledge advantageous
• Supplier management
• External and internal reporting requirements

Competencies: 

• Relating and networking
• Creating and innovating
• Persuading and influencing
• Deciding and initiating action
• Learning and researching
• Commercial thinking
• Adapting and responding to change
• Goal orientated

Education

• Bachelor`s Degrees and Advanced Diplomas: Financial Sciences (Required)

Absa Bank Limited is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. In compliance with the Employment Equity Act 55 of 1998, preference will be given to suitable candidates from designated groups whose appointments will contribute towards achievement of equitable demographic representation of our workforce profile and add to the diversity of the Bank.

Absa Bank Limited reserves the right not to make an appointment to the post as advertised