Internal Auditor - CIB Credit Risk

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Job Summary

The CIB Credit Risk AVP role is responsible for providing independent assurance that the management of credit risk across the CIB Business Unit aligns with internal policies, regulatory requirements, and industry best practices. This role plays a key part in assessing the design and effectiveness of credit risk management frameworks, governance structures, and control processes.
The position is a key role that requires someone with Wholesale Credit Risk expertise to provide assurance on CIB Credit Risk and the effectiveness of the wholesale credit risk management practices, methodologies and systems (e.g. primary risk, counterparty credit risk, credit concentration risk, mandates and scale, credit portfolio management, credit risk strategy, portfolio segmentation, assessment and aggregation, wholesale credit impairment, model use, and distressed restructures/forbearance).
The role also provides exposure to Sustainability Risk (ESG) through the assurance of methodologies and processes used across for Environmental, Social, and Governance risks as part of the credit sanctioning process.

Job Description

Key Responsibilities

Audit Execution and Delivery

• Ensure timely delivery of assigned tasks in accordance with agreed project timelines.

• Perform risk-based audits, including planning, scoping (identifying key risks and controls), fieldwork, and reporting.

• Prepare audit observations that are concise, factually accurate, and clearly identify root causes and risks. Ensure agreed management actions fully mitigate identified issues.

• Evaluate the effectiveness of risk management practices, as pertains to the specific financial risk type under review.

• Assess compliance with regulatory and internal policy requirements (e.g., IFRS 9, Basel, National Credit Act etc as applicable).

• Utilize data analytics to inform audit testing strategies and obtain deeper insights into control effectiveness.

• Ensure delivery is aligned with internal audit methodology and quality standards.

Relationship and Portfolio Management

• Engage with stakeholders across the 1st and 2nd lines of defense.

• Conduct ongoing business monitoring and maintain a strong understanding of key issues and trends to inform audit planning and continuous risk assessment.

• Contribute to the Combined Assurance effort by collaborating with other assurance providers across the 3 Lines of Defense to strengthen the control environment.

• Provide clear input into risk and governance committee reporting, highlighting emerging risks and control gaps.

Skills and Experience

• Strong understanding of credit risk management practices and processes across the credit risk lifecycle.

• Experience in performing internal audits or risk reviews within a financial institution.

• Working knowledge of regulatory frameworks applicable to financial risk types (e.g., Basel II/III, IFRS 9, NCR etc).

• Proficient in data analysis and able to work with data specialists to design effective audit tests.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; able to present complex issues clearly to senior stakeholders.

• Strong time management, organizational, and stakeholder engagement skills.

• Independent thinker with strong professional judgment and attention to detail.

Education and Experience

• A minimum of 3-6 years’ experience in internal audit, wholesale credit risk, credit policy and credit analytics.

• Demonstrate an understanding of credit risk management, counterparty credit risk, country and sovereign risk, credit risk strategy, risk appetite and credit risk measurement.  

• Demonstrate understanding of Sustainability risk.

• Proficiency in data analysis tools such as SAS, SQL, and Excel; experience with risk models will be considered an added advantage.

• Bachelor’s degree in risk management, Actuarial Science, Statistics, or a related field is required.

• An Honours degree in Risk Management will be regarded as a distinct advantage.

• Any certifications will be regarded as a distinct advantage.

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