Specialist: Risk - Operational and Resilience Risk Assurance at Absa Group Limited (Absa)

Job Summary

• Ensure that all activities and duties are carried out in full conformance to the Enterprise Risk Management Framework (ERMF), Operational and Resilience Risk Management Framework (ORRMF), as well as related Internal Absa policies and standards.  
• Evaluate the implementation of Absa Group ERMF and ORRMF policies and standards through the performance of conformance testing and quality assurance reviews. 
• Administer the completion of reviews in line with the Assurance Standard and related assurance methodologies as outlined in Absa policies and standards.  Document assurance approaches, execute testing strategies, maintain working papers and report on findings and recommendations.  Collaborate with stakeholders to ensure deliverables are achieved timeously. 
• Support the embedment of effective assurance practices across the Everyday Banking business unit through the evaluation, reporting and monitoring of risks.

Job Description

• Evaluate the implementation of Absa Group ERMF and ORRMF policies and standards through the performance of conformance testing and quality assurance reviews. Administer the completion of reviews in line with the Assurance Standard and related assurance methodologies as outlined in Absa policies and standards.  Document assurance approaches, execute testing strategies, maintain working papers and report on findings and recommendations.  Collaborate with stakeholders to ensure deliverables are achieved timeously. Support the embedment of effective assurance practices across the Everyday Banking business unit through the evaluation, reporting and monitoring of risks.  

Conformance Testing and Quality Assurance

• Contribute to the definition of a conformance review plan that covers all business areas across Everyday Banking.
• Continuously consider the appropriateness and relevance of the conformance review plan and adjust the plan to accommodate any changes in the risk landscape through the combined assurance process.
• Identify opportunities to streamline and integrate the conformance plan to reduce intrusion on first line teams.
• Execute the conformance review plan in order to ensure conformance to frameworks, policies, and standards, including the Assurance Standard.
• Evaluate the quality of data maintained on risk management tools and systems and provide recommendations for remediation where weaknesses are identified.
• Perform comprehensive independent conformance testing to ensure that results of first line Management Assurance testing can be relied upon (quality and consistency), in line with requirements of Risk and Assurance Standards. Provide recommendations for improvements where required.
• Raise Dispensations, Waivers, Breaches (DWBs) or issues where non-conformances have been identified, especially where these are material.
• Engage business stakeholders and maintain effective follow-up and tracking of the remediation of weaknesses and gaps identified through conformance testing.
• Report all material concerns as appropriate and through risk and control governance committees.
• Contribute to the definition of approaches and processes for less intrusive assurance techniques to improve assurance efforts (automation, data analysis, checklists, testing of algorithms, continuous monitoring, indicators, etc.).

Governance and Assurance

• Support the execution of the combined assurance agenda for the Everyday Banking business unit.
• Contribute to the compilation of a comprehensive combined assurance plan for Everyday Banking by consulting with all assurance providers across the three lines of defence.
• Ensure that there is adequate coverage of material risks, key controls, and any other significant components that materially impact and inform the Everyday Banking risk and control profile.
• Continuously consider the appropriateness of the plan and drive changes to the plan by influencing other assurance providers’ plans in real time where any changes to these elements occur.
• Support the administration of the Everyday Banking Combined Assurance Forum (consolidation and analysis of the plan, resolution of data quality issues, compilation of the report, documentation of minutes, scheduling of meetings, etc.).
• Drive conformance to the Assurance Standard.
• Work with Group teams and drive automation of combined assurance management.
• Continuously stay abreast of industry developments and learnings on the topic of combined assurance.

Operational and Resilience Risk Framework, Policies and Standards

• Monitor and report on framework, policy and standard implementation status, concerns, and challenges, escalating material issues identified and indicating the level of severity and associated risks.

Education and Experience Required

• Relevant NQF level 7 qualifications or B degree (Operational Risk or Internal Audit advantageous)
• 3 years’ experience in a Financial Institution (non-negotiable)
• 3 years’ experience in an Operational Risk Environment (non-negotiable)
• 3 years’ experience in an Assurance Environment (Internal Audit, External Audit, Management Assurance, Quality Assurance, etc.) (non-negotiable)

Knowledge & Skills: (Maximum of 7)

• Excellent knowledge of Operational Risk Management.
• Skilled in the execution of Operational Risk tasks and usage of all tools.
• Familiar with the dynamic nature of Operational Risk.
• Able to adapt to shifting priorities and work demands, while maintaining a focus on quality of execution and timely, consistent delivery.
• Able to adjust schedule to meet priority ad hoc and/or executive requests, including handling tight deadlines and evolving priorities.
• Capable of handling pressure and responding to feedback in a timely and constructive manner.
• An understanding of the operations of a financial organisation.
• Keeping abreast of changes in industry and developing own competency through continuing education.
• Strong Assurance Execution skills (Internal Audit, External Audit, Management Assurance, Quality Assurance, etc.).
• Exposure to different sizes of reviews (Small, Medium, Large).
• Planning reviews, drafting scope notification letters, defining and agreeing on audit procedures, documenting working papers, raising issues, drafting and finalisation of reports.
• Strong communication skills across various levels of management (from AVP to P level).
• Experience in the assurance lifecycle, data analysis, and process analysis.
• Drafting, socialisation, and finalisation of high-quality reports.
• External candidate: at least 1 to 2 years in a managerial position, having risen through the ranks (e.g., Supervisor, Manager, Assistant Manager) in an Assurance function.

Competencies: (Maximum of 8 competencies)

• Deciding and initiating action
• Persuading and influencing
• Relating and networking
• Presenting and communicating information
• Analysing data (including data analytics and dashboards)
• Planning and organising
• Coping with pressure and setbacks
• Learning and researching

Education

• Bachelor's Degree: Business, Commerce and Management Studies (Required), Bachelor Honours Degree: Internal auditing