Specialist Risk - Operational Risk Enablement - Johannesburg at Absa South Africa

Job Summary

• To effectively implement Absa Group ERMF and ORRMF policies and standards and to embed effective Operational and Resilience Risk Management (ORRM) practices within the Business Unit (BU). Contribute to establishing and maintaining an integrated and effective risk management framework where risks are identified, quantified, analysed, reported, and managed on a consistent basis in line with the ERMF and the ORRMF. Provide ORRM support to stakeholders in EB. Support the reporting and monitoring of risks and ensure the quality and completeness of risk reporting.

Job Description

• To effectively implement Absa Group ERMF and ORRMF policies and standards and to embed effective Operational and Resilience Risk Management (ORRM) practices within the Business Unit (BU). Contribute to establishing and maintaining an integrated and effective risk management framework where risks are identified, quantified, analysed, reported, and managed on a consistent basis in line with the ERMF and the ORRMF. Provide ORRM support to stakeholders in EB.  Support the reporting and monitoring of risks and ensure the quality and completeness of risk reporting.

Operational and Resilience Risk Framework, Policies and Standards

• Drive policy and standard governance in line with the ERMF and ORRMF.
• Engage with Group Risk teams to ensure proper implementation of ERMF, ORRMF and related policies and standards within the business.
• Support the business in the implementation and embedment of ERMF and ORRMF requirements, including those applicable for Risk and Control Self-Assessments (RCSAs), Critical Process Assessments (CPAs), Issue Management, Risk Events, Key Indicators, as well as Dispensations Waivers and Breaches (DWBs).
• 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.
• Communicate changes to frameworks, policies and standards and provide guidance for implementation of updated requirements.
• Provide guidance for the implementation of framework, policy, and standard requirements.

Training and Awareness

• Provide training for relevant frameworks, policies and standards and consider the utilisation of digital training platforms for training interventions.
• Act as advisor for ERMF and ORRMF policies and standards to business areas in EB, providing information on matters related to interpretation or implementation.
• Ensure that good practice is identified and communicated widely through the definition of standards and guidance documents where required.
• Ensure adequate stakeholder training for the Operational Risk Management System (ORMS), Policy and Compliance Management (PCM) system, and other related risk systems.  Provide ongoing support post the training.

Reporting and Analysis

• Source/Supply and interpret the data for compiling the monthly and quarterly risk committee pack (or other adhoc reporting as required) and ensure data quality and accuracy of reporting.
• Support the management reporting of all key concerns as appropriate through monthly and quarterly risk committees, forums, and governance committees, thus ensuring that senior management is fully aware of any key concerns that may impact EB.
• Ensure the completeness, accuracy, and validity of reporting through the monitoring of data quality on the Operational Risk Management System (ORMS), Policy and Compliance Management (PCM) system, and related risk management systems.
• Drive the implementation of appropriate standards for continuous monitoring of the EB risk and control profile.
• Engage business stakeholders and maintain effective follow-up and tracking of the remediation of weaknesses and control gaps identified.
• Maintain and develop awareness of risk management issues to support completeness, accuracy, and robustness of reporting.

Conformance Reviews

• Execute conformance reviews against frameworks, policies, and standards.
• Perform comprehensive independent conformance testing to ensure that results of 1st line MA testing can be relied upon (quality and consistency), in line with requirements of Risk and Assurance Standards.
• Evaluate the quality of data maintained on risk management tools and systems and provide recommendations for remediation where weaknesses are identified.
• 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.

Operational Risk Systems

• Support business in the maintenance of risk information on ORMS and PCM by providing guidance on system utilisation to ensure appropriate data quality and standard conformance.
• Support the business with the resolution and escalation of issues relating to system usage.

Functional Governance

• Support the Operational and Resilience Risk Team in governance-related matters, including but not limited to monitoring and tracking the Operational and Resilience Risk strategic initiatives, providing administrative support for Manco meetings, tracking of initiatives, documentation of meeting minutes and tracking of meeting action items.

Education and Experience Required

• Relevant NQF level 6 - B degree
• 3 years’ experience in a Financial Institution
• 3 years’ experience in an Operational Risk Environment.

Knowledge & Skills: (Maximum of 6)

• Knowledge of the risk environment and risk management principles.
• An understanding of the operations of a financial organisation.
• Keeping abreast of changes in industry and developing own competency through continuing education.

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 Degrees and Advanced Diplomas: Business, Commerce and Management Studies (Required)