Control Assurance Specialist

Overview

A role has arisen for a Control Assurance Specialist who will report directly to the Control Assurance Manager. The successful candidate will function autonomously while working alongside a driven, successful and extremely competent team of risk and governance professionals. This position would suit someone who is adaptable, who can work to high standards and across multiple disciplines. The successful incumbent will thrive in a challenging and pressured environment with exposure at all levels of the organisation.

Key Responsibilities

Process and Thematic Reviews

• Engage at various levels of organisation both internally and externally
• Complete process and thematic reviews, per the Control Assurance plan
• To assess control adequacy of controls by reviewing process documentation, risk and control self-assessments, etc
• Suggest and agree actions with Management to remediate any weaknesses identified
• Perform control effectiveness testing to ensure that suggested remedial actions/controls are implemented within processes/business areas
• Consider the risk management process outcomes (risk and control assessment, key risk indicators, feedback from Management) to assess areas of process and control improvements

Operational Risk Standard and Risk Analysis

• Facilitate the identification, assessment and monitoring of key risks and assessment of the adequacy and effectiveness of key controls per functional area within M&G SA
• Support Management to implement the relevant aspects of the M&G plc Risk Management Framework and Operational Risk Standards across the business and to manage any changes as required by the framework and standards. This includes review, assessment and facilitation of risk and controls self-assessments, analysis of incidents to determine root causes, trends and repeat incidents, identification and management of issues and actions, process documentation reviews to confirm that risks and controls are appropriately documented
• Utilise control and assurance tools to assess, monitor, and report on key risks, providing clear feedback on control effectiveness and supporting the development of strong risk awareness and compliance practices across the organisation

External Assurance Providers

• Engage with ISAE3402 service provider and Management across the organisation to co-ordinate the delivery of control effectiveness testing across the business
• Provide challenge and oversight into the ISAE review process with regards to updates to processes and controls, design adequacy and completeness
• Engage with Management and the ISAE3402 service provider to facilitate workshops, walkthroughs, status update meetings, and report sign off and resolve queries and exceptions
• Support Management to resolve exceptions and audit related queries to ensure a positive audit outcome

Internal Audit Reviews

• Facilitate business readiness reviews and engage with Management to assist in internal audit reviews
• Assist with the facilitation of internal audit reviews and provide input into draft report observations
• Follow up on review findings and engage with the business to ensure that findings are closed out in a timeous manner

Qualifications, Skills & Experience

• Tertiary qualification in Commerce/Certified Internal Auditor
• A minimum of five years' working experience in financial services or asset management
• Internal audit or risk management experience preferred
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Excellent numeracy skills
• Technical understanding of financial products and instruments

Competencies & Personal Attributes

• Good problem solving and analytical skills
• Well-developed communication skills
• Ability to constructively challenge assumptions, control weaknesses, and proposed actions, using evidence-based insights to influence decision-making and strengthen governance.
• Ability to work under pressure with limited supervision
• Ability to maintain service standards
• Ability to work accurately and in detail
• Ability to work in a team environment
• Action orientated
• Excellent planning and organising
• Ability to liaise with all levels of management in a professional manner
• Strong ability to persuade and influence stakeholders at all levels, using clear reasoning and evidence-based insights to drive alignment and support improvements in controls and risk management
• Ability to deliver results through cross-functional teams by providing guidance, setting clear expectations, and ensuring accountability for control and risk-related deliverables
• Ability to promote risk awareness and strengthen risk culture through proactive business engagement, thorough reviews, and constructive, actionable feedback

Confidentiality is an absolute requirement and any breach of confidentiality or honesty will not be tolerated. Integrity must be unquestionable.