Senior Manager: Portfolio Assurance

Portfolio Managers enable the organization to protect its funding and investments and balance the level of risk in a portfolio through proactive management of risk limits while providing a complete overview of the portfolio risks that could impact the accomplishment of the organization's strategic objectives.
This role will undertake independent oversight of the organisation's portfolio to ensure its long-term sustainability on an ad-hoc and targeted basis. The risk assurance activities are crucial in embedding the intended risk culture creating awareness and understanding of risk within the organization and providing management with risk information for decision-making.
To provide reporting for the Board, through Exco, in such a manner that enables segmented analysis of risks at both product and overall portfolio levels, identifying trends, running sensitivities for concentrations and deviations to expected performance

QUALIFICATIONS

• CA / B Com postgraduate qualification (or equivalent degree).
• MBA / FRM / CFA / PRMIA or equivalent would be an added advantage.
• IFRS 9 Technical knowledge would be an added advantage.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE

• 8 to 10 year's relevant experience in a financial institution, of which a number of years must be in the risk management space.
• Knowledge and understanding of portfolio risk management life cycle and measurement of risk tolerance
• Experience working in a high-level collaborative environment
• Experienced and passionate about working with data to derive meaning and identify trends.
• Extremely organized and persistent, with drive and determination to achieve goals
• Require excellent computer skills and proficiency with Microsoft Office (Excel, Access, Word, PowerPoint)
• Exceptional planning and organizational skills: the ability to handle several complex tasks simultaneously is essential
• Proven communication skills are essential - must possess good written and verbal skills to be able to work and communicate effectively with others.
• Ability to present and communicate technical information in a clear and concise manner
• Must possess the ability to make deductions and meaning from rather complex and abstract situations and make sound decisions from these factors
• Ability to work under pressure and cope with stress in a coordinated and rational manner making decisions even under stressful/ high pressure situations
• Negotiation and interpersonal skills essential to influence people towards achieving a predetermined goal

Governance and Assurance

• Formulate, monitor, and evaluate the Risk Appetite Framework, encompassing various risk and concentration limit metrics.
• Develop, review, and enhance policies, guidelines, methodologies, and procedures relating to the full credit and investment value cycle within the organisation.
• Independently assess that existing portfolios (within CSG) are being managed in alignment with the organisation's policies and standards and adherence to best credit risk principles, providing a 2nd line risk assessment, and leading the development or enhancement of such policies and procedures.
• Work with credit risk and CSG managers to ensure that policy matters are relevant, fully understood and applied in a consistent manner.
• Monitor and report on compliance with regulatory requirements, policies, and guidelines.
• Review, maintain and update the client's Credit and Investment submission templates, where necessary.
• Report trends in policy and standards breaches to relevant management to ensure that policies are implemented going forward.

Portfolio monitoring

• Produce trend analysis reports such as impairment and sector risk reviews and run sensitivities for concentrations and deviations to expected performance.
• Perform proactive ongoing credit monitoring and risk management at a portfolio level, and recommend strategies to keep portfolio risks within stipulated acceptable levels.
• Understand how macro-economic factors impact the portfolio and provide risk appetite recommendations.
• Recommend stress testing of the book against approved and emerging risk parameters to be conducted by the Quantitative Modeling team and input the results into the analysis of the adequacy of capital and provisions, as well as generating updates on industry risk positions.
• Proactively manage portfolio risk by informing the organization whether it is equipped to take on more risk and how it can increase portfolio value, have a higher rate of success and maximize portfolio value.
• Use understanding of regulatory frameworks and accounting standards (incl. Capital framework / Basel III/IV and IFRS 9) to inform business strategy and decisions (capital allocation and Impairment /NPL management and monitoring).
• Independent credit risk modeling oversight.
• Monitor trends of internal risk grades and produce summary reports that provide insight as to whether rating standards, protocols, and policies are consistently applied across portfolios and sectors.
• Together with the Quantitative Modelling team propose required changes to ratings standards, protocols, and policies, including reasons for such changes.
• Provide insight into the development, selection, implementation, and ongoing review and alterations of models used in the rating process.

Reporting

• Report quarterly on portfolio positions to the organisation's Executive Committee and to Board Risk Sustainability Committee.
• Produce trend analysis reports including, amongst others, concentration limits and impairments trend analysis.
• Develop and prepare statistics, reporting on portfolio trends, and assisting the Head: RGPM and CRO in preparation to lead the IMC processes.
• Prepare risk input for the quarterly CEO's report.
• Provide input into strategy preparations and strategy papers and assist in the preparation of the required documentation
• Ensure that all risk information reports are comprehensive and accurate to enable decision making by management.
• Provide relevant and required information to present to lenders and rating agencies (eg: Moodys) and present as and when required.

Strategic insight

• Collaborate, consult, and enquire both internally and externally about best practices in risk assurance and portfolio management and make recommendations for the implementation of such best practices at the organisation.
• Assess, measure, and manage risk within the portfolio that could impact the accomplishment of the strategic objectives.
• Attendance of Credit Committees and Executive Policy / ALCO / Board Risk Sustainability meetings as and when required and respond to questions and concerns as raised at these meetings.
• Attendance of Investment Monitoring Committee and provide advice on policy matters at a portfolio, industry, and sector level, as and when required.
• Provide credit risk information sessions and workshops on templates/policies and changes as the need is identified across the organization, to embed the intended risk culture and create awareness and understanding of risk.
• Provide advisory services internally on risk policy matters and ensure adherence.
• Facilitate constructive working relations and healthy working morale with internal stakeholders.

Regulatory and Industry Alignment

• Monitor global trends, best practices, and regulatory developments in credit risk portfolio management and assurance, ensuring the organisation remains compliant and competitive.
• Liaise with regulators and external auditors, ensuring credit risk portfolio management and assurance activities meet or exceed regulatory expectations.
• Proactively manage the institution's response to regulatory changes, ensuring seamless integration into existing risk frameworks.

Leadership and Stakeholder Engagement

• Work collaboratively with a team of risk professionals, fostering a high-performance culture focused on innovation, accountability, and excellence.
• Engage with senior stakeholders across the organization to provide expert guidance on risk-related matters, ensuring alignment with strategic goals.
• Represent the organization in external forums and discussions on credit risk portfolio management practices, promoting the institution's reputation as a thought leader.

TECHNICAL/FUNCTIONAL COMPETENCIES

• Solution minded
• Business Acumen
• Report writing presentation skills
• Strong attention to detail
• Project Management Skills
• Problem Solving
• Client Insights Focus
• Strong Analytical Skills
• Planning and Organizing

BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES

• Good Communication Skills
• Self-motivated and self-driven skills
• Coping with Pressures and Setbacks
• Negotiating and influencing
• Interpersonal Skills