Manager: Model Development PPB & BB Credit Risk- Africa Regions (AR)

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

Job Summary

Lead the development of PPB & BB credit risk models and the methodologies that underpin them, ensuring accuracy, explainability, and compliance with Group Model Risk Policy. Deliver on time, first time submissions to validation with no overdue findings, and enable effective business adoption and monitoring across African Regions.
Provide technical leadership to a hybrid team (permanent + contingent), and uplift market capability through targeted training and clear, executive ready communication.
Operating across 10 businesses in 9 African countries, the role requires the ability to manage complex stakeholder environments. The role also plays a critical part in strengthening country capability through training, oversight and continuous upliftment of modelling maturity across AR.

The role requires occasional travel within South Africa and across African Regions and travel to India may be required to visit contingent workforce.

Job Description

1) Model Development

• Own end to end development of credit risk models across the lifecycle: application, behavioral/Early Warning Signals, collections & recoveries, pricing & profitability, and IFRS 9 PD/LGD/EAD components as applicable.
• Set and steward fit for purpose methodologies (segmentation, feature engineering, modelling approach, calibration, cut off design, fairness/explain ability).
• Ensure high quality, audit ready documentation (Methodology, data lineage, variable dictionaries, etc.) aligned to Group Model Risk Policy (GMRP) and internal standards.
• Drive peer review and reproducibility (code control, evidence packs) primarily in SAS & Excel.
• Conduct due diligence on vendor models (methodological fit, data requirements, limitations); where appropriate, assume ownership as if internally built.
• Deliver the book of work on time, aligned to scope, budget and AR country priorities; proactively manage risks and dependencies.
• Execute targeted analytics on demand to inform modelling decisions and portfolio strategies.

2) Model Risk Governance

• On time submissions to Independent Validation Unit; minimize rework by ensuring scope clarity, evidence completeness and stakeholder pre alignment.
• Ensure no overdue findings (validation, audit, regulatory) via disciplined action tracking, root cause remediation and evidenced closure.
• Uphold policy and control environment (GMRP, documentation standards, change control, annual reviews), and hold Model Owners to account for governance obligations.
• Coordinate management responses to auditors/regulators; prepare concise briefing packs that demonstrate model suitability, accuracy and use.
• Provide independent challenge on methodology choices, data quality, and usage constraints to reduce model risk.

3) Implementation & Monitoring Enablement

• Translate model design into implementation specifications; support parallel runs, reconciliations, and cutover with clear back out criteria.
• Define monitoring thresholds/triggers (e.g., stability, discrimination, back testing) and develop monitoring templates.
• Ensure robust handover to Model Owners for ongoing monitoring, accuracy reviews and model owner reviews; verify capability and accountability in markets.
• Oversee vendor model implementation and integration; verify consistency with prototype and policy adherence.
• Support business usage/adoption through practical guidance and performance translation.

4) Stakeholder & People Leadership

• Lead a mixed team (AVPs + contingent workers) with clear objectives, code/documentation standards, and coaching on modelling craft and communication.
• Train markets on model methodology, usage and monitoring practices; build self-sufficiency and succession in-country.
• Maintain senior level engagement with Group Model Risk, IVU, Group Finance and Country Risk leadership; provide transparent updates on delivery, issues and value.
• Plan capacity, allocate resources across priorities, manage budgets and maintain a predictable delivery rhythm.

Preferred Education

• BSc (Honours) / Master’s in Statistics, Econometrics, Mathematics, Actuarial Science, Data Science, or related quantitative field.
• 6–8+ years in credit risk model development (PPB & BB) including IFRS 9 components, application & behavioral scorecards and pricing & profitability modelling/analytics.
• Proven track record of on time model approvals and closure of validation/audit findings.
• Experience engaging with validators, auditors and regulators; strong governance discipline.
• Leadership of permanent and contingent teams; market training across multiple countries (African experience advantageous).

Knowledge & Technical Skills

• Advanced SAS & Excel for development, reconciliations and monitoring (SQL/Python beneficial).
• Strong grounding in statistical/econometric methods (logistic/linear models, calibration, back testing, stability, discrimination metrics, etc.).
• Deep understanding of IFRS 9 (PD/LGD/EAD, staging, macro linkages, impairment governance) and model risk policy.
• Executive level communication; able to translate complex results into business relevant decisions.

Measures of Success

• On time model delivery and IVU submission; first time approval rate; no overdue findings.
• Model accuracy and stability (back testing, impairment performance; avoidance of material over/under prediction).
• Business adoption of model outputs with measurable value.
• Monitoring readiness (clear thresholds, templates, handover quality); adherence to governance milestones.
• Capability uplift (training coverage, improved documentation quality, reduced rework) across markets and team.

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