Risk Specialist at Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)

About The Job

The CSIR has a vacancy for a Risk Specialist in the Enterprise Risk Management function. The incumbent will manage and drive, in collaboration with the Manager: Enterprise Risk, the monitoring, identification, analysing, reporting and implementation of the risk management framework and facilitating organisational compliance. The position is based in Pretoria.

Key Responsibilities
Risk strategic input and expert risk advisor into Divisional strategic and operational plans, in partnership with relevant stakeholders

• Provide input into the strategy of the Division/ Portfolio with specific focus on topics pertaining to risk and compliance;
• Provide expert advice and support to the Division/ Portfolio in the planning and implementation of Risk and mitigation strategies;
• Ensure alignment between Division’s/ Portfolio’s business and operational strategies and initiatives and those of the ERM.

Governance, Risk and Compliance to Risk Management framework and relevant legislation and implementation

• Enforce all relevant ERM policies, procedures, standards, norms and best practices in line with organisations Risk strategy and in line with prevailing regulatory framework;
• Remain abreast of changes in risk related legislation and ensure that the Division/Portfolio remains compliant and that governance frameworks are up to date;
• Monitor and advise on the interpretation and implementation of new / draft legislation for risk and ensure compliance thereof;
• Collaborate with training and development committees and others to ensure appropriate training of relevant staff with respect to risk awareness;
• Identify risks at the Divisional/Portfolio/ Cluster(s) level and develop risk mitigation plan
• Contribute to the cost effectiveness of the organisation.

Risk Management

• Ensure the implementation of the overall Risk Management Framework for the CSIR within the Division/Portfolio;
• Oversee and facilitate with Divisional/Portfolio leadership, the process of identifying and assessing risks (and controls) affecting the Division and Portfolios;
• Oversee the implementation and Division/ Portfolio wide embedment of a risk management culture;
• Perform risk assessments that address threats and opportunities and coordinate the development of a Division/ Portfolio, consolidated risk management plan;
• Liaise extensively with the appropriate stakeholders and role players in the Division/ Portfolio to establish relationships and gain an understanding of the risks and emerging risks, processes and controls, to enable pro-active risk management;
• Review all Division/ Portfolio risks on an annual basis;
• Consolidate and analyse risk events reported by the Division/Portfolio, perform root cause analyses to recommend improvements to ensure prevention of re-occurrence;
• Implement and monitor action plans to address high and critical key risks on the risk and control self-assessment/risk registers;
• Analyse identified trends in key risk indicators;
• Review and suggest methods to improve risk analysis and reporting;
• Design and build risk models in support of risk management;
• Analyse and monitor regulatory and market developments impacting on the organisation and communicate these to the relevant business functions;
• Advise Divisions/Portfolios on insurance and liability contractual risk transfer requirements for all types of service contracts and commodity purchases;
• Represent risk management in a range of internal risk fora;
• Interact with other control functions including Legal Services, Internal Audit Services, Finance and Operations;
• Design and document a management system in compliance with applicable ISO standards;
• Manage the Division/ Portfolio’s short-term insurance portfolio;
• Prepare periodic risk and compliance reports for management and coordinate responses to information requests from internal and external auditors;
• Benchmark the Division/ Portfolio’s performance within context.

Culture, Leadership and People management

• Manage and develop the Divisional/Portfolio risk team to ensure high calibre risk personnel;
• Conduct performance management contracting and reviews for all staff at the recommended periods, for the purpose of managing and improving both individual performance and service delivery;
• Create a culture of customer service and continuous improvement;
• Identify gaps for training or development of staff to assist with skills retention and succession planning.
   

Qualifications, Skills And Experience

• A Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in risk management or related field with at least five years of experience in risk management, compliance, audit or related experience;
• Membership of a professional risk management body;
• Practical experience in risk identification/assessment, root cause analysis and recommendation;
• Knowledge of corporate governance and risk management disciplines and best practice;
• Sound understanding and working experience with enterprise risk management practices and philosophy, including the design and implementation of processes and systems.

Closing date: 18 August 2020