Group Head of Risk at Cellulant

Role Summary:

• The VP: Risk / Group Head Risk at Cellulant will be a strategic leader responsible for designing, implementing, and overseeing a comprehensive risk management framework. The VP: Risk / Group Head Risk role focuses on Risk Management, including but not limited to credit, operational, liquidity, and market risk, and internal controls. . Reporting directly to the Group Chief Risk and Compliance Officer , the VP: Risk / Group Head Risk will play a pivotal role in shaping Cellulant's risk culture, aligning risk management practices with business strategy, and using advanced risk analytics and AI tools to support sustainable growth in the African fintech landscape.

Key Responsibilities

Risk Governance and Strategy

• Develop and Execute Risk Framework: Establish and implement a risk management strategy aligned with Cellulant's business objectives and appetite for risk, tailored to the regulatory landscape across African markets.
• Establish Risk Governance: Set up a robust risk governance framework to ensure thorough oversight and control over Cellulant's risk exposure.
• Collaborate with the Board and Risk Committee: Work closely with the Board and Risk Committee to review and update risk policies, tolerances, and appetites in line with business needs.

Operational Risk Management

• Operational Resilience: Identify and manage operational risks, including process, system, and human errors, through effective frameworks that minimise disruptions to service.
• Embed Risk Awareness in Operations: Ensure that risk considerations are embedded in Cellulant's processes and that risk assessments are conducted on new products, processes, and systems.
• Continuous Improvement Initiatives: Lead risk mitigation strategies that leverage digital solutions and are scalable as the organisation expands.

Credit and Counterparty Risk

• Credit Risk Management: Oversee the development of credit policies, manage credit exposure, and assess creditworthiness for partnerships and customer transactions.
• Counterparty Intelligence: Evaluate and manage counterparty risks associated with regional and international partnerships, ensuring robust assessments to minimise potential losses.

Market and Liquidity Risk

• Market Exposure Management: Regularly assess exposure to market risks, including currency fluctuations, interest rate changes, and other financial variables impacting Cellulant's operations.
• Liquidity Management: Implement and monitor liquidity risk frameworks to ensure the organisation has sufficient resources to meet operational needs.
• Scenario Testing and Stress Analysis: Conduct scenario testing and stress analysis to evaluate Cellulant's resilience to adverse market conditions, creating early warning systems and mitigating potential disruptions.

Data and Technology Risk Management

• Risk Technology Integration: Utilise AI, Decision Intelligence (DI), and risk analytics to enhance data-driven risk assessments and improve decision-making capabilities across credit, operational, and market risks.
• Cybersecurity and Data Privacy: Lead initiatives to protect against data breaches and cybersecurity risks, collaborating closely with IT to implement safeguards.
• Automated and Digital Risk Monitoring: Drive automation in risk monitoring and reporting to improve real-time assessment and proactive risk management capabilities.

Reporting and Risk Analytics

• Develop Comprehensive Reporting: Provide the CEO and Board with regular, actionable reports on risk exposures, mitigation efforts, and emerging trends.
• Risk Dashboard and Key Risk Indicators (KRIs): Oversee the creation of real-time risk dashboards to enhance visibility and monitoring of critical KRIs and risk trends.
• Leverage Data Analytics: Use advanced data analytics for identifying emerging risks, providing actionable insights to business leaders, and maintaining alignment with Cellulant's risk appetite.

Risk Culture and Awareness

• Promote a Proactive Risk Culture: Lead initiatives that instill a risk-aware culture, fostering accountability and ownership of risk management across all levels of the organisation.
• Risk Training and Development: Conduct regular training sessions and awareness programs, ensuring all teams understand and proactively manage risks associated with their functions.
• Support and provide input to Internal Control Function to develop, maintain and implement a comprehensive risk-based annual internal control plan that covers all aspects of the business, including information systems, financial operations, and general business processes. Provide input to Internal Control Function towards ensuring the plan aligns with strategic business objectives and is adaptable to emerging risks.

Internal Controls:

• Support and provide input to Internal Control Function to develop, maintain and implement a comprehensive risk-based annual internal control plan that covers all aspects of the business, including information systems, financial operations, and general business processes. Provide input to Internal Control Function towards ensuring the plan aligns with strategic business objectives and is adaptable to emerging risks.

Key Competencies and Attributes:

• Strategic and Analytical Thinking: Ability to balance growth and risk, implementing data-driven approaches to assess and mitigate risks.
• Technological Proficiency: Familiarity with AI, Decision Intelligence, and advanced analytics to support real-time, actionable risk insights.
• Risk Leadership: Proven experience in leading cross-functional risk teams, embedding risk-aware practices throughout the business.
• Communication and Stakeholder Management: Strong skills in communicating complex risk information to executive teams, boards, and stakeholders, with a collaborative approach to fostering a risk-conscious culture.

Qualifications and Experience

• Educational Background: Bachelor's degree in Finance, Risk Management, or a related field; an advanced degree or MBA is advantageous.
• Professional Experience: Minimum of 10 years in risk management within financial services, with at least 5 years in a senior role within a fintech or similar high-growth environment.
• Certifications: Relevant certifications in risk management (e.g., FRM, PRM) are preferred.
• Market Knowledge: Familiarity with the African fintech landscape, including credit, market, and operational risk specific to emerging markets.

Performance Metrics

• Alignment with Risk Appetite: Ensure risk exposures align with Cellulant's risk tolerance.
• Efficiency in Risk Reporting: Timely, insightful reporting that drives proactive risk management actions.
• Risk Culture Development: Increased risk awareness and ownership across Cellulant teams.
• Stakeholder Engagement: High level of collaboration with business units to mitigate and manage risk exposure effectively.