Head, Internal Control

Standard Bank Group is a leading Africa-focused financial services group, and an innovative player on the global stage, that offers a variety of career-enhancing opportunities – plus the chance to work alongside some of the sector’s most talented, motivated professionals. Our clients range from individuals, to businesses of all sizes, high net worth families and large multinational corporates and institutions. We’re passionate about creating growth in Africa. Bringing true, meaningful value to our clients and the communities we serve and creating a real sense of purpose for you.

To lead, manage and deliver an integrated Risk Management Function in order to enable the country to seize opportunities in pursuit of growth, by managing Risks in a manner that balances the interests of clients and other stakeholders, while protecting the safety and soundness of the Enterprise, ensuring the ethical standards are adhered to and maintained. The role provides assurance on the control and risk status for the Country.

Determine the Control Strategy

• Lead the development and execution of the First Line control agenda in partnership with Business and Enabler Partners, Risk, Compliance, Legal, and Internal Audit, ensuring alignment with the Bank’s overall strategy and regulatory expectations.
• Foster strong strategic partnerships with the Country Senior Management Team, business lines, and critical stakeholders to support sound governance, informed decision-making, and sustainable business performance.

Execution Oversight and Monitoring

• Take ownership of the development and execution of the annual control assurance review universe, working collaboratively with Risk, Compliance, Legal, and Internal Audit stakeholders to ensure comprehensive coverage and alignment with governance and regulatory requirements
• Perform appropriate monitoring activities to provide assurance on the effectiveness and state of the control environment to executive management and all relevant stakeholders.
• Ensure that formal planned reviews and spot checks are conducted across the bank in line with the risk based engagement methodologies, including the production of reports.
• Drive the implementation of regulatory directives through robust operational processes and controls, while advancing integrated risk initiatives to strengthen the Bank’s consolidated risk management framework.
• Monitor implemented risk and compliance management processes – as identified and assessed by Risk and Compliance to ensure adherence to standards, policies and procedures.
• Identify inadequate processes and controls and provide Risk, Legal and Compliance and/or Business Units/ Enablers with the irregularities to facilitate the modification of processes where required.
• Ensure that formal root cause analysis for control failures is conducted across the bank and appropriate remedial actions are identified and implemented for sustainabilty.
• Monitor and ensure the timely implementation of agreed remedial actions arising from internal audits, regulatory reviews, IFR investigations, control reviews, and other assurance engagements, including validation of corrective measures prior to issue closure.
• Ensure that appropriate training initiatives towards improvement of the control environment are planned and executed as required. 
• Participate in the bank’s business initiatives, forums, committees, policy / process development or reviews, e.g. risk & compliance committees, new products, projects etc. to ensure that control requirements are appropriately considered executed and reported.
• Ensure effective implementation of the non-financial risk framework i.e. loss control, incident management, RCSA & KRIs, BCM, IRM roles as per the approved risk management framework.
• Present routine monitoring and control review reports to business / process owners and ensure their understanding and commitment to the report and agreed action plans..
• Drive the adoption of automation and advanced data analytics to enhance proactive risk identification, monitoring, and decision-making, while developing and embedding risk appetite metrics for business units in collaboration with assurance partners and business leaders to ensure alignment with the Bank’s risk management objectives.
• Ensure Risk Management services remain effective, competitive, and aligned with industry best practices, while strengthening the control environment to minimize operational losses arising from control failures and managing risk appetite metrics within approved tolerance levels.

Effective People Management & Administration practices.

• Lead and manage the Control Function by fostering a high-performing, service-oriented team, ensuring effective people management through continuous performance evaluation, capability development, employee engagement, and the retention of high-potential talent.
• Establish clear performance objectives and performance contracts for team members, and continuously monitor, review, and evaluate performance against agreed targets to drive accountability, excellence, and business outcomes.
• Develop, implement, and maintain a robust talent development plan that supports employee growth, succession planning, capability building, and the achievement of individual and organizational objectives.

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting or a related field.
• Professional certifications such as ACIB, CIA, CISA, CFSA, ACCA, or CPA will be an added advantage.

Experience Required

• More than 10 years of progressive experience in Risk Management and business leadership, with deep expertise across the risk management spectrum and a strong understanding of the broader business environment.
• Demonstrated knowledge of regulatory frameworks and governance requirements, coupled with a proven track record of leading large-scale initiatives and high-performing teams. The role requires the ability to influence senior executives, employees, regulators, and other key stakeholders, while effectively navigating complex organizational landscapes to drive strategic change and business outcomes.
• 1-2 years of people management experience, with a proven ability to lead teams, manage competing priorities, and consistently deliver results within demanding timelines and high-pressure environments.

Technical Competencies:

• Analysing Insurable Risk
• Risk Response Strategy
• Evaluating Risk Management Effectiveness
• Risk Identification
• Compliance
• Risk Reporting
• Risk Response Strategy

Behavioural Competencies:

• Developing Strategies
• Developing Expertise
• Making Decisions
• Upholding Standards
• Resolving Conflict