Head of Risk and Permanent Control Officer

For one of our client, a Pan african Bank based in Paris we are looking for a Head of Risk and Permanent Control Officer.

The Head of Risk is part of the Risk Management Department of the bank's Paris branch and reports to the bank Chief Risk Officer (CRO).

Job purpose:

The purpose of the Head of risk’s job is to perform the Chief Risk function and the execution of its equivalent regulated / prescribed responsibilities (not limited to) below

Its role is to ensure that all aspects of risk and control frameworks are operating effectively including:

• Ensuring that these frameworks are maintained and updated as approved by thee bank,
• Making operative the risk controls required by the frameworks to remain within the Bank’s agreed risk appetite,
• Compiling, assessing, and reporting risk information to the GM, CRO, CEO, the Board Risk Committee, and the Board,
• Ensuring that the Bank’s risk management framework complies with relevant legislation and regulation,
• Supporting the CRO London in advising the Chief Executive Officer, Board and the bank Committees,
• Complying with the FCA/PRA Individual and Senior Manager Conduct Rules and its European and French equivalents, as outlined below,

In regard of the “Permanent control” part of the Head of risk job, the Head of risk is responsible for the ongoing implementation of risk management measures and the implementation of the second line defence controls, especially verifying Compliance with the Anti-money laundering (AML) and Combating the Financing of Terrorism (CFT) system.

Key tasks and duties:

The Head of risks role includes the following tasks:

• Responsibility for the risk management framework throughout the Bank, including credit risk management, market risk management (including liquidity), operational risk management and other risks such as conduct and prudential risk management,
• Developing, managing, and refining qualitative and quantitative risk reporting in all risk areas which meets the needs of the Executive and Board to support effective decision making in line with the Bank’s risk appetite,
• Working closely with the CRO, CEO, and other senior managers across the business moulding a high-achieving, well-controlled organisation which can achieve growth targets safely,
• Assisting the Executive and Board with the setting of the Bank’s risk appetite (including but not limited to credit risk, operational risk, market risk, liquidity risk and conduct risk) and establishing, monitoring and implementing a framework of key risk indicators,
• Continuously developing, enhancing, and embedding the risk framework for managing risks across the Bank, ensuring that processes are fit for purpose,
• Be a key owner and sponsor of the Paris ICAAP (Internal Capital Adequacy Assessment Process), ILAAP (Internal Liquidity Adequacy Assessment Process) and RRP (Recovery and Resilience Plan) framework: engaging senior management and challenging scenario planning, associated stress testing and documentation; ensuring that the ICAAP and the ILAAP processes are embedded and used at appropriate points,
• Assisting to establish and maintain corporate governance systems and committee structures and reviewing and confirming investment processes,
• Embedding a positive culture of confident and informed risk-taking through training, communication, and promotion of the agreed risk framework and in line with the Bank’s risk appetite,
• Partnering effectively with third parties, regulatory bodies, and others as appropriate and serving as a role model for high personal and corporate ethical values and standards of integrity in line with the Bank’s core values,
• Providing essential input as a member of senior management and the Executive Committee and credibly challenging the management of current issues and the development and implementation of strategy,
• Define second level controls at entity level, coordinate them and monitor corrective actions,
• Define and update the scope of internal control,
• Contribute to defining the annual permanent control plans to be implemented within the Bank,
• Coordinate and contribute to the drafting of annual reports on internal control and the AML-CFT system,
• Ensure permanent control procedures and documentation are implemented,
• Participate in the implementation of the control system and the changes to be made to it for new activities or products,
• Coordinate the implementation and monitoring of corrective actions for the main anomalies identified,
• Define and participate in employees training initiatives,
• Lead/Attend Committees and Reviews,
• Reporting on the performance to Executive Directors and the Supervisory Board,
• Implement a system for supervisory and monitoring outsourced activities, including:

i. General definition of permanent controls for outsourced activities,

ii. Contract signing process with external service providers,

iii. Regular reports from the service provider to the client,

iv. Contingency and business continuity plans,

v. Audit clauses enabling on-site inspections,

vi. Monitoring of indirect subcontractors,

vii. Audit clauses and right of on-site inspection by the French Prudential Control and Resolution Authority (ACPR).

This list is not exhaustive and is subject to change in line with the Company's needs, while remaining consistent with Head of Risk business and skills.

Skills and qualifications required :

The Head of risks must have the following qualifications:

• Minimum of 7-10 years post-graduation experience,
• A degree or its equivalent in any of the followings: Accounting, Economics, Numerate Discipline, or related Business discipline,

The Head of risks must have the following skills and knowledges:

• Leadership skills including the ability to manage risk and control activities in a financial operation and including an extensive understanding of Credit, Market and Operational risks,
• Considerable knowledge and experience of best practice in risk management and governance frameworks, methodologies, and emerging practice in relation to French and European financial services,
• Strong product knowledge of trade finance, loan, and treasury instruments,
• Fully conversant in both French and English (written and oral communication),
• Understanding of both UK and European Banking Regulations,
• Analytical and entrepreneurial skills to observe transactions and quantify wider risks independently,
• Confidence to act with thoughtful consideration towards the bank’s best interests in compliance with regulation, prudential management of the enterprise and commercial acumen,
• Proven ability to oversee several risk types, including credit, market, operational, investment, regulatory and strategic risk and specifically liquidity, refinancing, concentration, and counterparty risk,
• The ability to liaise closely with senior management and exercise oversight over governance, risk, and control arrangements in a financial operation,
• Planning and organizing,
• Negotiation skills,
• Commercial awareness,
• Cross functional awareness,
• Highly developed communication (both verbal and written) and presentation skills,
• Interpersonal sensitivity,
• Flexibility,
• Problem solving and decision-making skills, with the ability to analyze complex information to identify the key issue/action and drive resolution