Management Assurance Consultant at Absa

Job Summary

Support the Senior Manager: Governance drive and execute on the agreed Combined Assurance coverage plan. Assist in the improvement of the control environment for the Group People & Culture Function through assurance activities in alignment with the assurance methodology, governance and delivery objectives.

Job Description

Accountability: Planning Assurance Reviews

• Assist the Senior Manager: Governance develop the Assurance Plan through consultation with the respective Risk Leads, Senior Manager Assurance and Governance Lead.

• Plan the delivery of assigned assurance activities to a high quality and in line with Key Performance Indicators as per the methodology which includes adequate project scheduling, preparation of the announcement memo and meeting key deliverables in terms of assurance timelines.

Accountability: Executing Assurance Reviews

• Develop an in-depth knowledge of the centres of excellence in the Group People & Culture Function and various business areas and use this knowledge to assess risks and controls through identifying, assessing and documenting risks and controls within these processes.

• Provide consulting services to implement lasting change and sustained improvements around critical processes to support the bank’s top priorities.

• Support the Risk teams in validating effective controls as per the Control Self-Assessment (CSA) and (CPA) Critical Process Assessment for the business units.

• Coordinate and conduct special assurance, investigations, and/or ad hoc projects with supervision and direction from the Senior Manager: Governance.

• Execute on the Design Effectiveness Testing (DEA) and Operational Effectiveness Testing (OET) in line with methodology requirements based on the detailed working papers.

• Perform and proactively participate in the timely clearing of review notes raised by the Senior Manager: Governance to ensure overall high quality of work performed.

• Perform business process analysis (BPAs) and control deep dives on specific control themes as defined by the Senior Manager: Governance.

• Identify opportunities for using Data Analytics and enhanced automated monitoring and testing techniques.

Accountability: Reporting

• Use business knowledge to assess evolving risks that support the identified observations which are insightful, address the root cause, have agreed actions that fully mitigate the risk, support the Issues Assurance process and require no further audit work to support them.

• Anticipate potential barriers, issues, and management concerns and create action plans which include escalation to Senior Manager: Governance and recommendations to address these concerns in a timeous manner.

• Capture the findings on Connected Risk in a timely manner.

• Ensure appropriate tracking is kept updated with the progress made on remediation of 1, 2 and 3 Line of Defense Audit observations and overdue findings are escalated in line with relevant standard.  

• Support management in validation of 2 and 3 of defence issues.

Accountability: Stakeholder Engagement

• Develop and maintain relationships with key assurance contacts on each review by attending continuous stakeholder meetings. In addition, engage closely with stakeholders during assignments and encourage open discussion and interaction with business on the risks associated in their environment.

• Business Monitoring and stakeholder engagement - Develop and maintain relationships with business (including 1and 2 Line of Defense) and actively monitor the risk profile of the business to inform assurance planning, reporting and delivery.

• Provide input into Risk and Committee reporting (MCA & CE), clear messaging and impact on the risk and control environment of the business.

Education and experience required

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

• Professional certification, such as, CIA, CISA, CISSP, CISM or any other related qualification.

• 3 - 6 years Audit/Assurance experience / information systems audit experience.

Knowledge and skills: (Maximum of 6)

• Display professional skepticism and apply a residual risk lens to potential audit issues with management and in final reporting.

• Understanding of the control, regulatory changes and risk issues in business.

• Continuous upskilling on both technical and other core competencies.

• Good understanding of technology and its application including knowledge of current and emerging technologies.

• Demonstrates understanding of IT general and application controls.

Competencies: (Maximum of 8 competencies)

• Learning and researching

• Delivering results and meeting stakeholder’s expectations.

• Relating and networking

• Adapting and responding to change

• Persuading and influencing

• Planning and organising

Education

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