This role is crucial for establishing and maintaining robust oversight of third-party risk, operational risk, and associated governance processes across a large financial institution. The specialist will play a key part in ensuring the consistent application and continuous improvement of established frameworks for managing third-party risks and operational risks. This includes making sure these practices align with the regulatory expectations and sound governance principles applicable to South African financial services organisations.

By collaborating closely with segment-specific risk teams and senior leaders, this position aims to bolster non-financial risk frameworks, enhance enterprise-wide risk reporting, and provide informed supervision of third-party relationships and significant non-financial risk exposures. A key aspect of the role involves supporting the governance, upkeep, and ongoing enhancement of group-wide non-financial risk policies, frameworks, and governance forums. Through direct exposure to group-level risk governance and reporting mechanisms, the specialist will contribute to the overall advancement of the organisation’s capabilities in managing non-financial risks, ensuring the resilience of its third-party arrangements, and generating insightful risk analysis to support strategic decisions.

Strengthening Oversight and Enhancing Governance

The core responsibilities of this position revolve around reinforcing the group's oversight capabilities in several key areas. This includes:

• **Third-Party Risk Management (TPRM) Oversight:** Providing group-level supervision of the TPRM framework to ensure its uniform application, sustained effectiveness, and adherence to regulatory requirements across all business segments. This involves scrutinising significant third-party risk assessments and ongoing monitoring activities, with the aim of identifying material risks, control deficiencies, inter-segment dependencies, and systemic issues. Furthermore, the specialist will track and report on critical third-party dependencies, ensuring that significant risk exposures and emerging concerns are escalated promptly.
• **Operational Resilience:** Contributing to the enhancement of the group’s operational resilience, which includes overseeing critical services and third-party dependencies that could potentially disrupt service continuity.
• **Non-Financial Risk Oversight:** Supporting group-level oversight of non-financial risks, with a particular focus on material and emerging risks. This entails promoting consistent practices for risk identification, assessment, and mitigation throughout the organisation by offering guidance, challenging existing approaches, and ensuring alignment with group frameworks and standards. A vital part of this is contributing to the continuous development and refinement of the group’s non-financial risk frameworks, methodologies, and standards.

What They're Looking For

Ideal candidates will possess a solid foundation in risk management, typically gained through 3 to 5 years of relevant experience in fields such as risk, finance, quantitative analysis, or corporate finance within the financial services sector. A deep understanding of valuation methodologies, financial modelling, and the analytical techniques used in scenarios like business rescue or financial recovery is essential.

Key competencies include strong analytical and data manipulation skills, with demonstrated proficiency in building and maintaining financial models. Familiarity with current and evolving regulations and industry standards pertinent to recovery and resolution planning is highly valued. Furthermore, candidates must exhibit a high level of proficiency in advanced Excel, PowerPoint, and Word, coupled with excellent communication and organisational abilities. Experience with specific systems like HFM and CDM, as well as a good understanding of the organisational structure and risk management processes, would be advantageous. Given the sensitive nature of the work, a commitment to confidentiality and strong ethical principles is paramount. Lastly, the role demands strong analytical and risk management practices, logical thinking, meticulous attention to detail, and the ability to effectively communicate complex information through various channels.

The organisation is looking for individuals who can adapt to regulatory developments, multitask effectively, and take accountability for their work, while also being collaborative team players. A postgraduate or Honours degree in Risk Management, Law, Finance, or Data and Analytics is required. Professional certifications in Third-Party Risk Management (such as CISSP, CISA, CISM, CRISC, or equivalent), Risk Management, or Audit are also beneficial.

In South Africa, roles focusing on operational and third-party risk management within large financial institutions are typically well-compensated, reflecting the critical nature of these functions. Experience in this area often opens doors to further specialisation in enterprise risk management, cyber risk, or specific regulatory compliance domains, supporting significant career progression within these complex environments.

Qualifications

Postgraduate or Honours degree in Risk Management or Law or Finance or Data and Analytics

Third-Party Risk and /or Third-Party Risk Certifications (CISSP, CISA, CISM, CRISC or equivalent), Risk Management or Audit, Business Knowledge.

We can be a match if you have:

• 3–5 years’ experience in risk management within a financial services environment (e.g. banking or insurance), with a strong focus on operational risk and third‑party risk management.
• 1–2 years’ experience operating at a specialist or Group‑level oversight role.
• Demonstrated experience working with cross‑functional teams and stakeholders across third‑party and operational risk activities.
• Strong understanding of relevant regulations, industry standards and operational risk management practices.
• 3–5 years’ experience interpreting and analysing data to support risk management frameworks and reporting.
• Experience monitoring external developments, regulatory change and third‑party risk best practices, and translating these into organisational standards.

Skills & Attributes

• Strong understanding of non-financial risk management frameworks and governance practices.
• Knowledge of third-party risk management, outsourcing and operational resilience concepts.
• Strong analytical, reporting and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Ability to translate complex risk issues into clear insights for senior management.
• High levels of integrity, sound judgement and collaboration.
• Ability to work in a pressured environment with tight timelines for delivery

You will have access to:

• Challenging work in a complex and exciting environment
• Opportunities to innovate and create efficiencies.
• Opportunity to engage with Treasury functions and depending on your career ambitions, craft yourself a niche career path in a specialized area of finance.

 Are you interested to take the step? We look forward to engaging with you further. Apply now!

Important Closing Date Note

Take note that applications will not be accepted on the below date and onwards, kindly submit applications ahead of the closing date indicated below.