Head: Fraud Risk Governance, Reporting and Strategy

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

Job Summary

To lead the development, implementation, and continuous enhancement of the fraud risk governance framework for Business Banking. The role ensures effective fraud risk oversight, robust reporting, and strategic alignment between business objectives and the fraud prevention strategy. It provides senior leadership and guidance to ensure that fraud risk is identified, measured, monitored, and mitigated across all business banking products, processes, and digital channels.

Job Description

Key accountabilities

 

Fraud Risk Governance

•        Develop, implement, and maintain the Fraud Risk Governance Framework aligned to enterprise risk management standards and regulatory requirements.

•        Ensure fraud risk management policies, standards, and operating procedures are up-to-date, consistent, and effectively embedded across business banking units.

•        Chair or represent the function in fraud risk and governance committees, ensuring transparent decision-making and escalation processes.

•        Partner with Group Risk, Compliance, and Internal Audit to ensure alignment and assurance on fraud control effectiveness.

 

Strategic Leadership & Collaboration

•        Partner with the Head of Payments Fraud, Head of Lending Fraud, Head of Data Insights & Analytics and Fraud Operations to ensure cohesive fraud risk management across detection, investigation, and recovery functions.

•        Lead or contribute to strategic fraud reduction initiatives and digital transformation projects (AI-driven fraud detection, automation, analytics tools).

•        Act as a trusted advisor to Business Banking leadership on fraud governance and risk trends.

•        Promote a strong fraud risk culture, awareness, and accountability across all levels of the business.

 

Reporting & Insights

•        Oversee fraud data aggregation, analysis, and reporting to senior management, risk committees, and regulators.

•        Produce and deliver insightful management information (MI), dashboards, and trend analyses to inform strategic decisions.

•        Drive data quality and integrity within fraud reporting systems.

•        Translate complex risk data into clear, actionable insights for business leaders.

 

Risk Assessment & Oversight

•        Lead the fraud risk assessment process across all business banking products and digital channels (loans, deposits, trade finance, payments, etc.).

•        Monitor the fraud risk appetite, thresholds, and control performance indicators.

•        Ensure early identification of emerging fraud threats and oversee the development of risk mitigation strategies.

•        Support new product development with fraud risk input and control design.

 

Stakeholder & Regulatory Engagement

•        Maintain relationships with external stakeholders (regulators, law enforcement, industry bodies).

•        Influence senior leadership and cross-functional partners including Product, Tech, Operations, Information Security, Legal, and Compliance.

•        Provide strategic direction on responses to major fraud incidents, losses, and control failures.

•        Manage audit and regulatory interactions, ensuring timely responses and remediation of findings.

Preferred Education

•          Bachelor’s degree in Risk Management, Finance, Accounting, Forensics, Statistics or Business Administration advantageous

•          CFE (Certified Fraud Examiner) advantageous

Preferred Experience

•          10+ years’ experience in fraud risk management, governance, risk reporting, or financial crime risk within banking or financial services.

•          Strong understanding of fraud risk frameworks, governance structures, and fraud typologies within business banking.

•          Exposure to fraud analytics, data-driven decisioning, control automation and knowledge of fraud prevention and detection systems.

•          Working knowledge of regulatory requirements and internal governance standards related to fraud risk.

•          Experience in driving fraud governance, strategy, or oversight in a large financial institution.

•          Experience interfacing with regulators and senior executives.

Knowledge and Skills

•          Commercial Mindset (Senior) – Level 4

•          Strategic Leadership – Level 4.

•          Technical Expertise – Level 4

•          Analytical Thinking – Level 4

•          Stakeholder Influence – Level 4.

•          Innovation & Change Leadership – Level 4

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