Governance and Control Supervisor

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Job Summary

Responsible for the on-going embedment, assessment and effectiveness of controls in place to mitigate risks inherent to the Business area, taking into consideration changing economic conditions, legal and regulatory requirements, operating procedures and processes and internal work practices.

Job Purpose

Define, embed and maintain a robust control framework, in line with the requirements of the ERMF, by leading on control management and execution for the First Line of Defence within the relevant business unit, to ensure sustainability and delivery of strategic initiatives of the business in line with the Absa Values and principles of conducting business.

The main responsibilities will be to:

• Assisting development and enhancement of the control framework of the Business Unit to ensure controls remain relevant to existing and emerging risks identified, in line with Group Risk frameworks.
• Performing detailed major risks testing as well as other conformance testing in line with core control activities
• model/plan.
• Track progress of all risk and control related actions to ensure due dates are met with the appropriate level of assurance provided.
• Providing relevant MIS as would be required, on specified and ad hoc frequencies to stakeholders
• Be aware and act as the focal contact point for all control-related matters relative to the Business Unit
• Promoting a greater understanding of control management and assurance in order to embed a risk and control culture within the Business unit.
• Provide expert guidance, support, oversight and independent challenge through effective working relationships and stakeholder management relating to Risk & Control activities.

• Supporting team member (if any) in relevant Control-forums as would be required.

Job Description

Controls and Risk Management

• Assisting for risk identification, ownership, management and control within approved mandate, and as documented under the Enterprise Key Risk Control framework, including embedment of a relevant risk and control culture.

• Assisting Management in ensuring adherence to local and international regulations, group policies and procedures, operational and management controls in relation to the business risks.

• Maintaining an effective control environment across all risks, processes and operations arising from the business, including implementing the appropriate standards to meet group policies and local regulatory requirements.

• Maintaining an effective follow up of control gaps identified and ensuring remediation of weaknesses identified through conformance reviews/assurance work undertaken.

• Conforming to policies, standards, plans and procedures established within the Bank and compliance with external laws and regulations, including reporting requirements of regulatory bodies and maintaining oversight of effective embedment of the above to the Business Unit.

• Reviewing and challenging the identification, evaluation and prioritisation of risks applicable to the Business Unit where potential impact, threats and vulnerabilities are quantified, including completion of major risks testing and RCSA testing for the Business Unit at specific frequency.

• Updating the Head of Functions on the control areas of concern within their environment; and agree on actions and/ or remedial actions to improve performance.

• Supporting the business in development of appropriate action plans to mitigate risk where remedial action is identified as required.

• Driving effective tracking and closure of all risk and control related actions with appropriate independent conformance testing to confirm closure as required and fixing issues to ensure sustainability of the control framework.

• Ensuring timely delivery and accuracy of insightful risk and control data that enables the business to identify areas of improvement and drive enhanced business performance accordingly.

• Working with the business to promote a culture of risk awareness and control to ensure consistency of practice and approach throughout the business.

Mandatory Risk and Control objective

• Accountable and responsible for complying with the Bank’s internal controls as set out in applicable procedures, Absa policies and standards, local regulations and as per the Enterprise Wide Risk Management Framework to ensure that no actions on your part leads to a control failure.

• Embedding and fostering a control culture by ensuring the highest control standards are applied at all times.

Management Information System reporting

• Acting as management information coordinator for MI reporting in specific forums.

• Ensure accurate and timely information is being provided and responsible for reporting to the appropriate control committee/ governance forums.

• Support in building forums’ presentation deck.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Ensuring effective working relationships within the team and creating a high-performance culture and an environment culture.

• Ensuring team members( if any) are kept fully informed through a process of two-way communication, which encourages active participation in the running and ongoing improvement of team performance

• Proactively managing the day-to-day operation of the direct reports driving out inefficiency, maximising productivity, and managing change, planning and scheduling activity.

Role/Person Specification

Preferred Education:

• Degree with minimum 4 years relevance experience or equivalent of 7 years bank related experience.

• Degree in Computer science/IT related degrees/Cyber security related certifications

Preferred Experience:

• Has previously worked in an Operational Control or Audit testing environment

• Proven experience and application of risk and control management policies and detailed knowledge of basic risk policies and regulatory change impacting the financial sector

Knowledge & Skills:

• Meticulous attention to detail.

• A strong aptitude for data analysis.

• Excellent problem-solving skills.

• IT skills

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including good presentation and and report writing skills.

Technical Competencies:

• Auditing methodology

• Risk Assessments and control testing methodology

• Analytical

• Knowledge of IT related controls, design and security standards

Behavioural Competencies:

• A keen interest in the financial system.

• Ability to work to deadlines, under pressure.

• Ability to work on your own initiative and as part of a team.

Education