Senior Manager - Credit Risk Policy

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

Group Credit Risk is accountable for the development, maintenance, publication, socialisation and effectiveness assessment of the Group’s Credit Risk Policies.
The Senior Manager Credit Risk Policy is responsible for the end-to-end management of the Group Credit Risk Policy portfolio and oversight of all BU Standards and localised documents in the Africa Regions.
Activities on the Group Credit Risk portfolio include the development, drafting, analysis, challenge and review, communication, socialization, roll-out and maintenance of the said portfolio and to act as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) for the interpretation of the various Credit Risk Policies and Standards.
The analysis of the effectiveness of the Group policies and standards will also include:
An assessment of policy and standard compliance; and,
Escalation of matters of non-compliance through the consideration of deviations (dispensations or waivers and breach) notifications.

Job Description

Strategic Planning and Implementation

• Ensure operational implementation of the Group’s strategy and plan towards Risk Frameworks and Policies in support of the Group’s strategy and business objectives.
• Guide the relevant Principal Risk Officer and assist the Head Credit Risk Policies & Assurance to oversee the delivery, drafting and regular review of the Group’s Credit Risk Frameworks and Policies. Act as a catalyst and Subject Matter Expert, based on research, knowledge and experience in the proactive feedback to the various Business Units and Business Areas after analyzing submitted draft Policies and Standards.
• Implement and maintain a system of internal control that achieves speedy, concise, and reliable development and review, approval and management of frameworks and policies.
• Manage delivery of the end-to-end policy management. I.e., Policy and Standard review, Socialization, Publication, driving of BU self-assessments and subsequent, identification and management of any deviations to Policy and Standards.
• Act as a Credit Risk Subject Matter Expert to the Group and the various business units: To enable the development of Group policy and standard training and delivery of advisory services across the enterprise group where need be.
• Conduct regular meetings with the CRE’s of the various business areas to assess their ongoing needs and assist with the interpretation of policies and standards where required.
• Sponsor research on policy trends and advise the Risk Exco of new and forthcoming developments.
• Provide constructive expert challenge of the Group’s credit risk profile.
• Provide thought leadership into the development of the Group’s Credit Risk strategy and approach.
• Enable the delivery of the transformational agenda to continuously improve the efficiency and compliance levels of frameworks and policies to new/amended market, business, or regulatory requirements.

Stakeholder Relationship Management

• In conjunction with BU’s design, establish and embed appropriate, fit for purpose, governance structures to manage Risk in line with the ERMF.
• Ensure all relevant stakeholders are engaged in the risk governance structures, in compliance with the ERMF and Group governance requirements.
• Provide oversight to the BU Standards and the localized versions of the Africa Region documents.
• Support the senior risk teams, subject matter experts and BUs to deliver on their risk reporting and monitoring responsibilities by designing and implementing an effective and fit for purpose risk reporting operating model.
• Build strong relationships with all internal and external stakeholders.
• Effectively communicate developments within areas of activity to all relevant stakeholders, acting as a single point of contact for defined groups.
• Ensure impeccable and timeous service levels.
• Facilitate open communication and discussion between stakeholders.

Policy Administration and Reporting

• Editing and formatting of Policies and Standards prior to publication.
• Publication of Policies, Standards, and other relevant documentation on the Policy Hub.
• Reporting of the policy portfolio into the relevant governance committees

Education and experience required

• B-degree (NQF level no. 7) in business / banking / risk / accounting
• 10 years Credit Risk / banking / financial services environment experience
• 5 years’ experience as a Senior Risk Manager / Partner
• Exposure to Credit Risk Governance and Risk and Control Committees.
• Knowledge and skills: (Maximum of 6)
• B-degree (NQF level no. 7) in business / banking / risk / accounting
• 10 years Credit Risk / banking / financial services environment experience
• 5 years’ experience as a Senior Risk Manager / Partner
• Exposure to Credit Risk Governance and Risk and Control Committees.
• Knowledge and skills: (Maximum of 6)
• Knowledge of banking legislation, risk regulation and industry standards, including Basel and the related requirements thereof.
• Knowledge of the Credit risk environment and Credit Risk management throughout its lifecycle and the requirements contained therein.

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