Operational Risk Advisor at Absa Bank Limited

Job Summary

• To provide specialist advice and support in area of specialisation enabling the effective implementation of risk frameworks.

Job Description
Job Purpose:

• In support of the Head of Operational and Resilience Risk, help deliver the Operational Risk strategy of excellence, responsible for delivering expert Operational Risk consultancy services to all business areas operating within the country.
• Assist the Head of Operational and Resilience Risk to embed an operational risk management culture in all business areas operating within the country.
• Delivering operational risk management tools, advice and reporting in line with the laid down policies and procedures.
• Participate in initiatives to manage risk and improve the country risk profile.
• Required to submit regular reports to the Head of Operational and Resilience Risk in line with the laid down reporting framework.
• Contribute to in-country Operational Risk Budgeting and cost management.

Key Accountabilities
Operational and Resilience Risk Management Processes -60%

• In support of the Head of Operational and Resilience Risk, provide operational risk advisory services within the country with the main objective of educating business line-management in the use of the various Operational Risk Management and Assessment tools available to business.
• Embed operational risk management ownership in all business units through providing expert advice, sharing best practice and risk mitigation techniques with business management to enable them to proactively manage the operational risks within the business area.
• Assist the Head of Operational and Resilience Risk to manage and coordinate all operational risk-related activities in the country and provide expert support to business line-management as necessary and provide regular feedback to Heads of business units and the Head Office.
• Provide guidance, education, and training business line managers in event reporting.
• Ensure that the various Group policies governing Operational and Resilience Risk Management Framework (ORRMF) and other policies are properly disseminated and embedded in the business units in a timely manner.
• Regularly attend local Executive meetings and represent the Head of Operational and Resilience Risk as delegated. Address any issues that require input from a non-financial risk management perspective, or new strategic initiatives that require risk management principles applied to them.
• Advise and assist the business to minimize Operational Losses through proactive.
• Fraud Management
• Information Security Management
• Operational Loss Control
• Contribute to the delivery of operational risk management services in a positive manner through value adding advice to reduce costs or by improved controls or by improving profitability where possible.
• Ensure that there is awareness and capability for all operational events to be reported using the Operational Risk Management System (ORMS).
• Ensure that using the ORMS tool, events are categorized and analyzed into the risk universe profile, trend analysis performed, and proactive action taken.
• Analyze trends and overall risk profile information supplied by the Centre and support the business to devise suitable risk mitigation action plans.
• Assess new procedures and procedural changes to identify operational risks and proactively mitigate them.
• High level insight into contracts, project plans, definition documents, strategic initiatives, executive minutes, or any other documentation that would require operational risk management involvement therein and provide feedback to the relevant teams.

Relationship / Stakeholder Management -20%

• Create and maintain fit for purpose multi-layer relationship network with all relevant functions and participate actively in all Basle 2 and Operational and Resilience Risk initiatives within the country.
• Assist the Head of Operational and Resilience Risk to respond to Regulatory Consultations on Operational and Resilience Risk.
• Ensure that business functions deal with events, audit findings and new risks in a measured and controlled manner, track actions and challenge assertions as to completion, adequacy, and effectiveness
• Work as part of a larger team of Non-Financial Risk professionals on larger or broader projects as required
• Ensure that ongoing adherence to ORRMF policies is monitored, tracked and reported on
• Contribute to the ongoing improvement of existing policies as required
• Assist in the preparation of monthly reports on the state of Operational and Resilience Risk for the monthly Risk Control Forum, CMC and Centre Operational & Resilience Risk function.
• Assist in the preparation of quarterly reports on the state of operational risk for the Executive Risk Committee (ERC), Board Risk & Audit Committee and Board.
• Monitor and review the documentation emanating from ORMS and other reporting in each business unit, ensuring a consistency of high standards in terms of delivery within timeframes and information content.
• Communicate with the Head of Operational and Resilience Risk and discuss strategy, contribute to discussions relating to the ORRMF, tools and processes, help build the collective strength of the Operational Risk team and improve the profile of the team in the business.

Communication -20%

• Ensure that Group/ Africa Regions (AR) Risk frameworks, policies and standards are cascaded appropriately to all levels of the business, and that appropriate actions are taken by the business to comply.
• Communicate and maintain a raised level of operational risk awareness in all staff in the business through direct contacts, operational risk awareness circulars, training and engagement of all stakeholders within the country as assigned by the Head of Operational and Resilience Risk.
• Provide expert advice, share best-practice and risk mitigation techniques with business management to enable them to proactively manage the operational and resilience risks within the business area.
• Communicate with the Head of Operational and Resilience Risk and discuss strategy, contribute to discussions relating to the Operational and Resilience Risk framework, tools and processes, help build the collective strength of the Operational Risk team and improve the profile of the team in the business
• Review compliance with Group and AR non-financial risk policies and report discrepancies to Head of Operational Risk accordingly.

Preferred Qualification

• Graduate Level
• Certification in risk management

Essential Experience

• Operational & Resilience Risk Management
• Control & Governance
• Fraud Prevention
• Performance Management
• Time management and personal organization

Preferred Experience

• Operational & Resilience Risk Management
• Control and Governance
• Auditing
• Compliance
• Project Management
• Experience in Banking – minimum 2 years

Knowledge And Skills

• Good Understanding of Absa Operational and Resilience Risk Policies
• Knowledge of bank products, processes and systems that support them
• Detailed understanding of the African Region (AR)Operational Risk Strategy, operating structure and interface with other functions
• Good understanding of legislation relating to the banking industry
• Knowledge of constructing reports, executive summaries, and briefs
• Data Analytics and Storytelling
• Review and challenge mindset
• Communication and Influencing skills
• Stakeholders’ management
• Teamwork
• Report writing

Education

• Higher Diplomas: Business, Commerce and Management Studies (Required)