Manager - Risk

The Manager - Risk Management is responsible for proactively detecting and scrutinizing business-wide risks (strategic, operational and financial) that ultimately impact on the organizations’ financial success.

MANAGER, RISK MANAGEMENT

RISK MANAGEMENT UNIT

GUARDIAN ASSET MANAGEMENT

GUARDIAN GROUP

JOB OBJECTIVE:

The Manager - Risk Management is responsible for proactively detecting and scrutinizing business-wide risks (strategic, operational and financial) that ultimately impact on the organizations’ financial success.  He/She is responsible for formalizing the process of risk management across the business and working with the Functional Units in balancing risk-taking and decision-making. Additionally, the incumbent is required to handle the preparation of yield curves, credit ratings, reviews and outlooks, coordination of security valuations and the calculation of risk metrics in line with regulatory requirements and disclosures for financial reporting purposes for the business units under its purview.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

1.   Core Risk Management Function
•   Develop and implement a process to collate, analyze and report on business-wide risks across GAMISL and other business units under its purview. This includes coordination with the different teams and introducing standardization where applicable. Assist in the assessment and monitoring of forward-looking risks and key risk indicators (KRIs).
•   Develop policies for implementation within the business.
•   Identify opportunities for re-engineering of existing processes and implement new processes/procedures. 
•   Establish a process for Annual Reviews and where necessary Interim and Quarterly reviews of credit exposures.
•   Develop and calculate metrics for monitoring risks such as VAR and guide the Business Units in using these metrics in consideration of their risk / reward decisions. This includes employing project management tools and techniques to carefully monitor progress and ensure early identification of problems. 
•   Calculation of risk metrics in line with regulatory requirements and disclosures. 
•   Oversee factors that have a material impact on the risk profile of the business and provide insight into these. Make recommendations for prioritizing risks.
•   Participate in the any Risk Committee meetings across the businesses where applicable. 
•   Maintain awareness of regional and international developments and innovations with a view to transferring best practices where possible. 
•   Stay abreast of regulations and Guardian Groups policies, determining impact on business and communicating to business stakeholders.
•   Analyze problems and issues into their component parts; draw credible conclusions from analysis of problems and issues; make effective recommendations based upon analysis of problems and issues; escalate all unforeseen issues and provide solutions.

2.   Report Management
•   Prepare reports showing the results of stress testing, scenario testing and risk control and self-assessments.  
•   Present ideas on the management of risks via reports and presentations, outline findings and make recommendations for improvements.
•   Assist with the collation and preparation of reports on the Business’ risk profile. 
•   Assist in the preparation of risk disclosures for financial reporting purposes and for new IFRS requirements / amendments.

3.   Preparation of Yield Curves and Risk Premiums
•   Coordinate the preparation of yield curves monthly and credit and corporate risk premiums on a quarterly basis.

4.   Coordinate Security Valuation Exercise 
•   Coordinate the preparation of input files for bond valuations.
•   Coordinate the review and checks on derived bond prices.

5.   Preparation of Credit Ratings, Reviews and Outlooks
•   Coordinate the preparation of credit ratings, reviews and outlooks on an annual basis and to support IFRS requirements.

6.   People Management
•   Lead, motivate, inspire and encourage employees through effective performance management – setting of clear goals and objectives and to ensure that performance assessments are completed and submitted on time and accurate.
•   Leave Management and Preparation of Enrolment Forms for approval in accordance with established procedures. Ensure equitable distribution of work which includes when any staff is on leave.
•   Devise ways to optimise procedures and keep staff motivated.
•   Train, motivate and direct employees to optimise productivity and promote professional growth; through continuous performance discussions, coaching and timely completion of appraisals.
•   Improve staff work processes: determine if inefficiencies exist and find solutions, develop and implement monitoring tools.
•   When required conduct interviews or assist with head hunting for appropriate staff.
•   Attend to all escalated discipline and grievance matters to ensure staff operate within the set professional guidelines of the company and fair treatment of all.
•   Huddles with staff to discuss performance and any appropriate action to be taken.

7.   To perform any other job-related duties as assigned by the Executive.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

•   Undergraduate degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics or related
•   At least three (3) years of risk management experience in operational risk, market risk, or credit risk
•   At least 2 years Managerial/Supervisory experience – interfacing/communicating with senior management and executive Committees

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENT:

As a regulated entity with obligations under the Know Your Employee guidelines, a Certificate of Character is required.

PERSONALITY:

The Manager Risk Management must be an assertive, confident and decisive individual.  He/She must be able to work independently, be flexible and have the ability to deal with constant change.  The ideal candidate must be organized, methodical, meticulous and results-oriented.  Excellent time management skills are critical as the incumbent will be required to deliver on multiple projects with competing deadlines.  The approach to work must be professional and he/she must have unquestioned integrity, strong work ethic and respect for confidentiality.  The individual must also possess excellent interpersonal and communication skills and presentation skills as he/she will be required to interact with staff at all levels throughout the organization. The candidate must have a strong bias towards deriving solutions to measure, mitigate and manage risk as opposed to avoiding risk.