Chief Risk Officer

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Job Summary

Absa Bank Botswana is seeking to appoint a Chief Risk Officer, a senior executive and member of the Country Management Committee, responsible for leading the Bank’s Risk function and providing independent oversight across the Bank’s material risk types.
The role is accountable for ensuring that the Bank’s strategic objectives are delivered within approved risk appetite, regulatory requirements and the Group Risk framework. The CRO will provide leadership across enterprise risk, operational risk, market risk, fraud risk, conformance and control oversight, while also providing independent assurance and challenge over the credit function.
Direct management of credit risk remains with the Credit Director. The CRO’s role in relation to credit is to provide independent oversight, assurance, governance and challenge to ensure that the credit function operates within approved risk appetite, policy, regulatory expectations and Group standards. The successful candidate will lead the country Risk function, represent Risk at executive and governance forums, support strategic decision-making, drive risk culture and strengthen control effectiveness across the Bank.

Job Description

Main Accountabilities  
•  Leading the country Risk function in line with Group Risk strategy and the Bank’s strategic objectives.
•  Providing independent oversight of the Bank’s risk profile and ensuring timely identification, reporting and escalation of material risks.
•  Overseeing enterprise risk, operational risk, market risk, fraud risk, conformance and control risks.
•  Providing independent assurance and challenge over the credit function, including portfolio trends, concentrations, arrears, watchlist exposures, impairments and governance effectiveness.
•  Supporting executive and Board-level decision-making through quality risk insight and reporting.
•  Partnering with business leadership to provide constructive risk challenge and support sustainable growth.
•  Driving risk governance, control improvement, process efficiency and regulatory alignment.
•  Leading and developing a high-performing Risk team.
•  Promoting a strong risk culture based on accountability, transparency and sound judgement.
Education and experience required:
•  Relevant degree in Finance, Risk Management, Economics, Business, Accounting, Law or related field.
•  Postgraduate qualification, CFA, MBA or equivalent professional qualification would be advantageous.
•  At least 10 years’ senior risk management experience in banking or financial services.
•  Executive or senior management experience in a complex financial services environment.
•  Strong knowledge of enterprise risk, operational risk, market risk, credit risk oversight, governance, controls and regulatory expectations.
•  Experience engaging with executive committees, Board committees, regulators and Group-level stakeholders.
Key competencies:
•  Strong leadership and stakeholder management skills.
•  Excellent technical risk management capability.
•  Independent judgement and ability to provide effective challenge.
•  Strong analytical, communication and influencing skills.
•  Ability to lead change and embed effective governance.
•  High levels of integrity, accountability and professional judgement.

Education

Bachelor's Degree: Risk Management and Financial Risk Management (Required)