Head of Finance Systems & Operational Risk, Africa (GFS Kenya & Ghana) at Standard Chartered Bank Kenya

Job purpose:

Finance Systems, Operational Risk:

• To provide guidance and support to all Africa countries in managing their operational risk. In addition to local finance systems support, enabling an effective bridge between country teams, Group OR and Finance systems teams within the Group
• Work closely with Country CFOs in driving an effective Operations risk management framework, and promoting a strong risk management and compliance culture.
• To be the single point of contact for Finance Systems for Africa region and drive the local implementation of global change initiatives based on Finance global standards, working closely with the FT Program Manager Africa and Country CFOs in the region.   

Head GFS Africa:

• Work with the Head Global Finance Services, to align GFS Africa with group, migrate best practice processes and a standard operating model.
• Support Finance Transformation initiatives across GFS Africa, ensuring the region is represented appropriately, actively participates in all work streams and delivers on all FT benefits
• Provide local oversight and direction to all GFS Teams in Kenya and Ghana.

The Role Responsibilities

Management of Finance Operational Risk

• Ensure that Operational Risk Management Framework and related policies and guidelines have been implemented and are functioning effectively in African countries.
• Provide assurance that operational risk identification and measurement capabilities are objective, consistent and compliant with Group standards and applicable regulations.
• Conduct and coordinate the Regional Finance Operational Risk Forum (FORM FORUM) and ensure that all risks / issues for the region are clearly articulated, discussed and followed up for closure.
• Liaise with Finance Operational Risk and Policy to ensure there is adequate training of FORMs in compliance and operational risk.
• Conduct peer reviews to support Country Operational Risk teams in order to avoid / minimize operational risk.
• Ensure that processes exist in the countries to review and resolve the daily TP vs GL recon. If required liaise with the systems maintenance teams, IT, Operations and Business Finance to resolve the same.
• Represent Africa region in project working groups sharing best practices and highlight top OR issues for the region.
• Support Country teams in designing and implementing control measures and monitoring plans for compliance and operational risk management and ensure their effectiveness.
• Own regional / country roadmap for local regulatory reporting requirements, ensuring global finance data standards, systems and operational capabilities are optimized.

Finance Systems

• Manage the implementation of business multi-country and multi-product projects within the region, liaising with the business, GTO and Group Finance systems as appropriate.
• End to end accountability for the local delivery of finance technology solutions to agreed time, cost, quality and scope within accepted risk parameters at both the country and regional level.
• Ensure process, standards and risk compliance (including security, regulatory and audit requirements) are met.
• Ensure information / data standards are in line with group policy and meet all regulatory and financial reporting requirements, working with the Data Management Committees as required
• Allocate resources effectively to maximize efficiency of all the projects and manage the demand and supply of the Finance Systems resources.
• Develop and maintain effective financial information systems to satisfy the reporting needs of the region, including identifying with Group Finance Systems, a strategy/roadmap for the replacement of IDS.
• Ensure delivery of FT benefits to realize cost efficiencies, leveraging improved data standards, automation and standardization

GFS Governance

• Implement the strategy for the Global Finance Services in Africa to align to the Group Standard Operating Model.
• Implement robust performance management metrics for the Global Finance Services in Africa.
• Ensure robust end to end processes and control between the country teams, group functions and the Global Finance Services in Africa.
• Ensure all Global Finance Services in Africa governance processes are embedded within Country Finance Kenya.
• Implement robust and defendable SLAs and charging mechanisms for the Global Finance Services in Africa.
• Drive operational excellence across Africa Finance, through leadership in the development and implementation of re-engineering initiatives, building scale in the Global Finance Services in Africa and maximizing efficiencies in country to create capacity and invest in building capability.

GFS Oversight and People

• Provide strong leadership to the Country Finance Operational Risk in order to attract, retain and develop finance professionals in the team, to effectively support and advise the business.
• Drive the implementation of the Finance Capability framework across the region
• As a senior leader in the Finance function, actively drive and participate in learning & development initiatives to continue to build the skills of the function to meet the changing demands of the industry
• Embed a high performance culture and ensure a robust approach is taken to deliver high quality succession pipelines.
• Working with the Head Global Finance Services and the respective GPMs and CoEs, to enhance awareness of Africa Finance across the function globally, and that the Africa Finance function is fully engaged in all group initiatives.
• Guide and train relevant country teams in proper identification and escalation of operational risks according to Group Standards.
• Play a leadership role in driving the development and implementation of re-engineering initiatives, including Finance Transformation.

Finance Transformation Agenda

• Support local implementation of global change initiatives based on Finance global standards.
• Coordinate and liaise with Group teams and countries in resolving queries and providing relevant information
• Proactively review the portfolio of FT initiatives affecting region/Country and work with FT team to resolve scheduling or resource conflicts.

Country Responsibilities

• Participation in country CFO strategy sessions and aligning same to GFS deliverables.
• Engagement with CFOs on adhoc demands that requires support from GFS and structured regular calls with CFOS on priorities and support required from GFS.
• AME CFO meetings- GFS MT/site lead meetings/GPM COE Quarterly catch ups/command center calls. 
• Participating in Command Centre/in country leadership team meeting.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Support country teams in audits and regulatory interactions.

Our Ideal Candidate

• Relevant professional qualifications, likely to have 10 years or more experience in a finance role within a bank.
• Understanding and knowledge of international financial reporting standards, corporate law and secretarial practices, tax laws and other applicable regulatory standards such as Basel / Internal Control Standards / listing regulations.
• Extensive banking experience and familiarity with accounting for a broad spectrum of products; an understanding of the changing external environment and ability to anticipate and communicate changes and impact to the business. Sound knowledge and experience in relation to internal controls in a banking environment.
• A strong communicator with good written and oral communication skills and experience of effective management of senior stakeholders.
• Ability to effectively balance conflicting demands and to provide constructive challenge and feedback to business leaders.
• Comfortable with change, demonstrable experience of continuous improvement and re-engineering initiatives.
• Strong people leadership capabilities, with proven experience of building teams and developing talent.
• Strong stakeholder management abilities with proven experience of sustainable working relationships with peers in the organization.