Risk & Internal Control Officer (Assistant Manager) at UPDC Plc

Objective/Purpose of the Job

• The Risk & Internal Control Officer is responsible for conducting risk assessments, reviews internal controls, and ensures compliance across all subsidiaries.
• The role involves analyzing market and regulatory trends, maintaining the corporate risk register, and identifying control gaps or process inefficiencies.
• The officer collaborates with department heads to embed risk awareness, monitors key transactions, and reports emerging risks to management while promoting a strong culture of com liance and control.

Key Accountability/Key Performance Indicators

Risk Management

• Conduct comprehensive enterprise-wide risk assessments covering project development, sales, leasing, property management, hotel operations, and facility services, while monitoring key risk indicators to identify potential threats and emerging risks and provide periodic reports to management and the Board.
• Analyse market trends, regulatory updates, and macroeconomic factors affecting real estate investments, facility management, and hospitality operations to inform strategic decision-making.
• Stay abreast of developments in real estate, facility management, and hospitality sectors to bring an informed perspective to the risk management and compliance process.
• Maintain and periodically update the corporate risk register, documenting risk ratings, mitigation strategies, and implementation progress.
• Collaborate with business unit heads to embed risk awareness and controls in daily operations.

Internal Control

• Review and assess the adequacy and effectiveness of internal controls and risk management frameworks across all departments and operational units.
• Identify control weaknesses, process inefficiencies, or compliance breaches; recommend practical solutions and ensure timely implementation of corrective actions.
• Conduct daily and periodic reviews of key financial, operational, and administrative transactions to detect control lapses or irregularities.
• Follow up on implementation of risk mitigation and audit recommendations.

Compliance & Governance

• Ensure company-wide compliance with relevant laws, regulations, internal policies, and industry standards; escalate breaches or non-compliance promptly to management.
• Support the development and enforcement of risk and compliance policies, procedures, and controls.
• Promote a culture of risk awareness by organizing workshops and capacity-building sessions for em Io ees on internal controls and com liance ractices.

Reporting

• Prepare and present periodic risk management and internal control reports to senior management, the Audit Committee, and relevant stakeholders.
• Track implementation status of mitigation and control improvement plans and report progress periodically.

Education/Knowledge, Skills, Attributes, Experience and other Requirements

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• Professional certification such as ACA ACCA CIA, CRMA, CISA, or CRM is an added advantage.
• Minimum of 3-5 years' experience in risk management, internal control, internal audit, or
• compliance, preferably in real estate, facility management, or hospitality.
• Strong knowledge of risk management frameworks.
• Familiarity with relevant laws, regulations, and corporate governance principles.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and ERP systems

Preferred Skills:

• Ability to identify, evaluate, and prioritize risks across operational, financial, and compliance areas.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Capable of conducting control testing, and root cause analysis of control failures.
• Excellent communication and report writing abilities.
• High ethical standards and integrity.
• Attention to detail and ability to identify control gaps.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Ability to recommend practical, risk-based solutions to control weaknesses.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with cross-functional teams