October 15, 2024

Absa Bank Limited

Sandton

FULL TIME

Specialist Risk - Operational Risk Assurance Specialist

Empowering Africa’s tomorrow, together…one story at a time.

With over 100 years of rich history and strongly positioned as a local bank with regional and international expertise, a career with our family offers the opportunity to be part of this exciting growth journey, to reset our future and shape our destiny as a proudly African group.

Job Summary

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 and combined assurance across the Relationship Banking business units through the evaluation, reporting and monitoring of risks.

Job Description

Conformance Testing and Quality Assurance

Contribute to the definition of a conformance review plan that covers all business areas across Relationship 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 conformance assurance methodology and Assurance Standard.’
Execute control testing/assurance as and when required, in line with control assurance methodology and the Assurance standard.
Plan the delivery of assigned assurance activities to a high quality and in line with Key Performance Indicators as per the methodology which includes adequate project scheduling, preparation of the announcement memo and meeting key deliverables in terms of assurance timelines.
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 Relationship Banking business unit.
Contribute to the compilation of a comprehensive combined assurance plan for Relationship Banking by consulting with all assurance providers across the three lines of defense.
Ensure that there is adequate coverage of material risks, key controls, and any other significant components that materially impact and inform the Relationship 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 Relationship 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
3 - 6 years of Audit/Assurance experience.
3 years’ experience in a Financial Institution and Operational Risk environment.
Professional certification, such as, CIA, CISA, CISSP, CISM or any other related qualification.

Education

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

Absa Bank Limited is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. In compliance with the Employment Equity Act 55 of 1998, preference will be given to suitable candidates from designated groups whose appointments will contribute towards achievement of equitable demographic representation of our workforce profile and add to the diversity of the Bank.

Absa Bank Limited reserves the right not to make an appointment to the post as advertised