Head of Risk, Audit & Compliance at Afrinvest West Africa Limited

We are hiring a Head of Risk, Audit and Compliance for a recently acquired microfinance bank. The Head of Risk, Audit & Compliance is responsible for designing, implementing, and overseeing the Bank's enterprise risk management, internal audit, and regulatory compliance frameworks. The role ensures the Bank operates safely, profitably, and in full compliance with CBN Guidelines for MFBs and applicable Nigerian laws, while building scalable structures to support the planned transition to a National MFB license within five years. The role works closely with the MD/CEO, CFO, and Head of Operations, and supports the effective functioning of the Board Risk & Audit Committee.

Job Details

• Develop and maintain the Risk Management Framework, risk appetite statement, and enterprise risk register in line with CBN MFB Guidelines and Prudential Guidelines, ensuring scalability for National license operations.
• Identify, assess, and monitor key risks — credit, operational, liquidity, market, compliance, strategic, and reputational — across all branches and business lines.
• Conduct periodic stress testing and scenario analysis on growth, branch expansion, and new product initiatives; present findings and recommendations to Management and the Board Risk Committee.
• Maintain credit risk policies covering underwriting standards, concentration limits (by product, sector, geography, and obligor), portfolio quality monitoring (PAR, NPLs, roll rates, recoveries), and CBN-compliant provisioning and write-off processes.
• Develop and implement a risk-based internal audit plan covering all branches, business lines, and support functions; ensure independent, objective execution and timely reporting of findings to Management and the Board Audit Committee.
• Conduct periodic audits of financial controls, credit processes, branch operations, IT systems, and compliance with internal policies and CBN regulations.
• Track and report on the status of all audit findings; ensure management responses are adequate and that agreed remediation actions are implemented within committed timelines.
• Support external audits and CBN examination processes, coordinating management responses and driving timely closure of all findings.
• Monitor and ensure full compliance with all applicable regulatory requirements including CBN MFB Guidelines, Prudential Guidelines, BOFIA 2020, AML/CFT Regulations, KYC/CDD requirements, CBN Consumer Protection Framework, and NDPA 2023.
• Act as the Bank's designated Compliance Officer and AML/CFT Reporting Officer, overseeing Customer Due Diligence (CDD), Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD), sanctions screening, transaction monitoring, and filing of STRs and CTRs to the NFIU.
• Coordinate all CBN regulatory examinations and inspections; ensure timely, accurate regulatory reporting and proactive closure of all regulatory findings.
• Proactively track and prepare for National MFB license requirements covering risk governance, capital adequacy, and enhanced compliance standards.
• Design and maintain a standardised internal control framework replicable across all existing and new branches.
• Develop, update, and enforce risk, compliance, and operational policies, SOPs, and process manuals; conduct periodic spot checks and branch visits to verify consistent implementation.
• Review new products, channels, and expansion initiatives for risk, control, and regulatory compliance implications, providing clear advisory input prior to launch.
• Prepare and present comprehensive risk, audit, and compliance reports to Management and the Board/Board Committees; support the effective functioning of the Management Risk Committee, Credit Committee, and ALCO.
• Provide risk and compliance input into strategic planning, particularly around branch expansion, product diversification, digital channels, and the National license transition roadmap.
• Develop and deliver regular training on risk management, AML/CFT, KYC, and internal controls; promote a strong culture of compliance, ethics, and risk ownership at all levels.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Business Administration, Law, or Risk Management.
• Relevant professional certifications are a strong advantage: CRMS or CBN-recognised risk certification, ACA/ACCA, ACAMS or equivalent AML/CFT certification, CIA, or CISA.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in risk management, internal audit, compliance, or internal control within a Nigerian financial institution; Microfinance Bank or retail bank experience strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience designing or significantly upgrading risk, audit, and compliance frameworks in a growing or multi-branch environment.
• Strong working knowledge of CBN regulations for MFBs, including the distinction between State and National MFB license requirements.
• Strong grasp of enterprise risk management across credit, operational, liquidity, market, compliance, and reputational risk dimensions.
• Sound credit analysis and portfolio management skills in micro, SME, and retail lending contexts.
• Excellent analytical, investigative, and problem-solving abilities; high integrity and independence of judgment.
• Ability to build scalable processes, controls, and frameworks and influence senior management and cross-functional teams.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including Board-level reporting.