Senior Manager – Testing (Data & Analytics) at Equity Bank Kenya

JOB PURPOSE

• The Senior Manager – Testing (Data & Analytics) is responsible for independently evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of regulatory and financial crime controls using robust, data-driven Second Line testing methodologies.
• The role leads population-based testing, advanced analytics and continuous monitoring, delivers evidence-based findings and root cause analysis, independently validates remediation closure, and provides insight to Management and Board Committees on control effectiveness

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead the risk-based, data-driven Second Line compliance testing methodology and annual analytics testing plan.
• Design population testing, statistical sampling, SQL and Python analytics, dashboards and reproducible control tests.
• Lead independent testing of KYC, CDD/EDD, beneficial ownership, customer risk rating, transaction monitoring, sanctions screening and regulatory reporting controls.
• Oversee source data reconciliation, completeness, lineage, analytical assumptions, script validation and data confidentiality.
• Develop continuous monitoring, reusable testing routines and controlled analytical innovation.
• Approve evidence-based findings, root cause analysis, severity ratings and independent closure validation.
• Present testing results and insights to Management and Board Committees.
• Lead, develop and allocate resources across the Testing (Data & Analytics) team.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Develop and maintain the compliance testing methodology covering test design, sampling, analytics, evidence standards, rating and reporting.
• Develop a risk-based annual testing plan aligned to the compliance risk assessment, regulatory priorities and inspection findings.
• Design and approve full-population and analytics-based tests that are documented, repeatable and reproducible.
• Lead independent testing of financial crime and regulatory controls, including KYC, CDD/EDD, UBO, risk rating, monitoring, screening and regulatory reporting.
• Ensure source data is reconciled, complete and traceable, and that analytical assumptions and scripts are validated and version-controlled.
• Ensure secure handling of customer and confidential data in line with the Data Protection Act and Bank policies.
• Build continuous control monitoring routines and reusable analytics to increase testing coverage and efficiency.
• Approve findings, root cause analysis and severity ratings, and agree remediation ownership with accountable First Line functions.
• Independently validate remediation evidence before closure of testing findings.
• Prepare testing MI, dashboards and thematic insights for Management, Board Committees and the Board.
• Coordinate with Internal Audit to avoid duplication while preserving the independence of each line of defence.
• Support regulatory inspections, audits and independent reviews by providing testing evidence and analytics.
• Promote the use of analytics tools, automation and data visualisation across the Compliance function.
• Lead, mentor and develop the team, including performance management, capability building and succession planning

Qualifications

CORE COMPETENCIES AND SKILLS

• Strong knowledge of Kenyan banking regulation, AML/CFT/CPF requirements and CBK and FRC expectations.
• Expertise in compliance testing methodology, control design and operating effectiveness assessment.
• Advanced SQL capability and proficiency in Python, R, SAS or comparable analytics tools.
• Experience with data visualisation tools such as Power BI and with statistical sampling techniques.
• Strong understanding of data lineage, reconciliation, data quality and reproducible analytics.
• Excellent report writing, Board reporting and executive communication skills.
• Strong stakeholder engagement, influencing and constructive challenge capability.
• Demonstrated leadership, people management and team development skills.
• High integrity, independence, professional scepticism and sound judgement.

EXPERIENCE

• Minimum 10 years’ experience in Compliance Testing, Internal Audit, Financial Crime Compliance, Risk or Data Analytics within the financial services sector.
• At least 5 years’ experience in a management role.
• Demonstrated experience leading data-driven control testing and analytics programmes.
• Proven experience presenting testing results to senior management and governance forums.
• Prior experience in a Tier 1 bank and familiarity with CBK and FRC supervisory expectations will be an added advantage.

ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Statistics, Computer Science, Information Systems, Data Science or a related field.
• Master’s degree in a relevant discipline will be an added advantage.
• Professional certifications such as CISA, CIA, CAMS, CPA(K), ACCA or recognised data analytics certifications.
• Demonstrated commitment to continuous professional development in compliance testing and data analytics.