Head of Internal Control, Compliance and Risk Management

•  To oversee the organization’s internal control framework
•  To Ensure compliance with policies, procedures, and regulations and identify and mitigate risks across all business operations
•  To collaborate with various departments to establish and maintain adequate internal controls
•  To oversee the institution’s risk management framework, policies, and procedures to identify, assess, monitor, and mitigate risks across all business lines
•  To Collaborate with senior management, business units, and other stakeholders to ensure effective risk management practices are implemented in alignment with regulatory requirements and organizational objectives
•  To ensure the organization operates within legal and regulatory frameworks and complies with all regulations
•  To uphold ethical standards

•  Internal Control:
  •  Internal Control Framework:
    •  Develop, implement, and maintain the organization’s internal control framework, including policies, procedures, and systems designed to safeguard assets, ensure the reliability of financial reporting, and comply with laws and regulations
    •  Evaluate the effectiveness of internal controls and make recommendations for enhancements or improvements as necessary
  •  Risk Assessment and Mitigation:
    •  Conduct risk assessments to identify and prioritize key risks within the organization
    •  Develop risk mitigation strategies and controls to address identified risks, including operational, financial, compliance, and strategic risks
    •  Monitor and track risk mitigation efforts to ensure timely and effective implementation
  •  Compliance and Regulatory Requirements:
    •  Ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and industry standards governing the organization’s operations
    •  Keep abreast of regulatory developments and changes in internal control best practices and implement necessary adjustments to internal control processes and procedures
  •  Collaboration with Internal Audit:
    •  Collaborate with the internal audit function to plan and execute internal audits, ensuring alignment with internal control objectives and priorities
  •  Policy Development and Documentation:
    •  Develop and maintain internal control policies, procedures, and documentation in accordance with industry standards and best practices
    •  Communicate internal control policies and procedures to relevant stakeholders and ensure understanding and compliance
  •  Training and Awareness:
    •  Provide training and awareness programs to employees on internal control principles, practices, and responsibilities
    •  Foster a culture of accountability and transparency regarding internal controls throughout the organization
  •  Reporting and Communication:
    •  Prepare and present periodic reports on the status of internal controls, key risk exposures, and control deficiencies to senior management and the board of directors
    •  Communicate findings and recommendations to management and stakeholders and facilitate discussions on remediation efforts
  •  Continuous Improvement:
    •  Lead initiatives to continuously improve the effectiveness and efficiency of internal control processes and procedures
    •  Implement automation and technology solutions to enhance internal control monitoring and reporting capabilities
•  Compliance:
  •  Developing Compliance Policies and Procedures:
    •  The Head of Compliance is responsible for developing and implementing compliance policies, procedures, and controls to ensure adherence to applicable laws, regulations, and industry standards
  •  Regulatory Compliance Management:
    •  Staying updated on relevant laws, regulations, and industry guidelines affecting the banking sector. Interpreting and communicating regulatory requirements to appropriate stakeholders within the organization
  •  Non-Compliance Risk Assessment and Management:
    •  Conducting risk assessments to identify potential non-compliance risks and developing strategies to mitigate those risks. This may involve monitoring regulation changes and assessing their impact on the organization’s operations
  •  Training and Education:
    •  Providing compliance training and education programs to employees to ensure they understand their obligations and responsibilities regarding compliance. This may include anti-money laundering (AML) training, know-your-customer (KYC) procedures and other relevant topics
  •  Monitoring and Surveillance:
    •  Implementing systems and processes for monitoring and surveillance to detect and prevent potential compliance breaches, such as fraud, market manipulation, or insider trading
  •  Reporting and Documentation:
    •  Preparing and submitting regulatory reports as required by relevant authorities. Maintaining accurate records and documentation of compliance activities, audits, and investigations
  •  Internal Audit and Review:
    •  Coordinating with internal audit teams or external auditors to conduct periodic reviews and assessments of compliance programs and controls. Addressing any findings or deficiencies identified during audits
  •  Compliance Investigations:
    •  Conducting or overseeing investigations into suspected compliance violations, such as fraud, misconduct, or breaches of regulations. Implementing appropriate corrective actions and disciplinary measures as necessary
  •  Advisory and Consultation:
    •  Providing guidance and advice to senior management and other stakeholders on compliance matters, including the potential impact of new regulations or business initiatives
  •  Ethical Standards and Conduct:
    •  Promoting a culture of ethics and integrity within the organization by setting an example of compliance with regulations and ethical standards. Encouraging employees to report concerns or violations through appropriate channels
  •  External Relationships:
    •  Building and maintaining relationships with regulatory agencies, industry associations, and relevant external stakeholders
    •  Representing the organization in regulatory discussions and forums
  •  Compliance Technology and Systems:
    •  Overseeing the implementation and maintenance of compliance-related technology solutions and systems to enhance efficiency and effectiveness in managing compliance processes
  •  Crisis Management and Response:
    •  Developing and implementing crisis management plans and procedures to address compliance-related emergencies or incidents promptly and effectively
  •  Strategic Planning:
    •  Participating in strategic planning processes to ensure that compliance considerations are integrated into the organization’s overall objectives and initiatives
  •  Continuous Improvement:
    •  Continuously evaluate and improve the compliance program’s effectiveness through feedback, monitoring, and assessment mechanisms
•  Risk Management:
  •  Risk Identification and Assessment:
    •  Lead the identification and assessment of various types of risks, including credit, market, liquidity, operational, and compliance risks
    •  Develop methodologies and tools for quantifying and evaluating risks, including stress testing and scenario analysis
    •  Monitor emerging risks and changes in the risk landscape and assess their potential impact on the institution
  •  Risk Governance and Policies:
    •  Establish and maintain a robust risk governance framework, including risk appetite statements, risk policies, and procedures
    •  Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and industry best practices in risk management
    •  Review and update risk policies and procedures to reflect changes in the business environment and regulatory landscape
  •  Risk Monitoring and Reporting:
    •  Implement systems and processes for monitoring key risk indicators (KRIs) and early warning indicators
    •  Prepare comprehensive risk reports for senior management, board of directors, and regulatory authorities, highlighting key risks, trends, and mitigating actions
    •  Present risk-related findings and recommendations to senior management and board committees
  •  Risk Mitigation and Control:
    •  Develop and implement risk mitigation strategies and controls to minimize exposure to identified risks
    •  Collaborate with business units to design and implement effective risk management practices and controls
    •  Conduct risk assessments of new products, services, and business initiatives to manage risks adequately
  •  Regulatory Compliance:
    •  Ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and regulatory guidelines related to risk management
    •  Liaise with regulatory authorities and participate in regulatory examinations and audits
    •  Monitor regulatory developments and assess their impact on the institution’s risk management practices
  •  Risk Culture and Awareness:
    •  Promote a robust organisational risk culture by fostering awareness of risk management principles and practices
    •  Provide training and guidance to employees on risk identification, assessment, and mitigation
    •  Encourage open communication and reporting of risk-related concerns and incidents

•  Education: Bachelor’s or Master’s in Finance, Economics, Business Administration, Accounting, Law or a related field
•  Experience: A minimum experience of 7 years in Internal Control, compliance or risk management within the microfinance sector, with a comprehensive understanding of Internal control and compliance procedures and various risk types and mitigation techniques

•  Internal Control:
  •  Strong knowledge of internal control principles, frameworks and best practices
  •  Familiarity with relevant laws, regulations, and industry standards applicable to the organization’s operations
  •  Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills
  •  Effective communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate and build relationships across the organization
  •  Leadership and team management abilities, with a focus on fostering a high-performing and collaborative team environment
  •  Proficiency in MS Office suite and internal control software tools
  •  Ethical integrity, attention to detail, and a commitment to upholding internal control standards and compliance requirements
•  Compliance:
  •  Regulatory Knowledge: Deep understanding of microfinance regulations, laws, and industry standards relevant to compliance, including but not limited to anti-money laundering (AML), know your customer (KYC), data privacy, consumer protection, and financial crime regulations
  •  Risk Management: Proficiency in identifying, assessing, and mitigating compliance risks. Ability to develop and implement risk management strategies and controls to prevent compliance breaches and ensure regulatory compliance
  •  Policy Development and Implementation: Skill in developing, implementing, and maintaining compliance policies, procedures, and controls tailored to the organization’s risk profile
•  Risk Management:
  •  Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills, with the ability to assess complex situations and develop practical solutions
  •  Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively interact with stakeholders at all levels of the organization
  •  Leadership and managerial experience, with the ability to lead and develop a team of risk management professionals
  •  Sound knowledge of regulatory requirements and industry best practices in risk management
  •  Strategic thinking and the ability to align risk management initiatives with the institution’s overall business objectives

•  Technology and Data Management Expertise
•  Crisis Management and Business Continuity Planning
•  Cybersecurity and Information Security Awareness
•  Global Regulatory Knowledge
•  Continuous Learning and Adaptability

Location: Douala