Risk Management 

• Implement, maintain and periodically review the institution's Risk Management Framework, Risk Management Policy and associated plans, procedures and methodologies to ensure effective identification, assessment, mitigation and monitoring of institutional risks.
• Facilitate and coordinate risk assessments across academic, administrative and operational departments to identify, evaluate and prioritise risks that may affect the achievement of institutional objectives.
• Develop, maintain and regularly update departmental and institutional risk registers, ensuring that identified risks are appropriately assessed, documented, assigned to responsible risk owners and monitored.
• Coordinate the development and implementation of appropriate risk mitigation strategies and action plans in consultation with relevant risk owners, and monitor progress against agreed timelines.
• Monitor changes in the institution's internal and external operating environment, including emerging risks, regulatory developments and industry trends, and assess their potential impact on the institution's risk profile.
• Collaborate with academic and operational departments to identify weaknesses in existing processes, procedures and internal controls, and recommend appropriate measures to minimise risk exposure.
• Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of existing risk management processes, mitigation measures and internal controls, and recommend improvements where necessary.
• Promote a risk-aware institutional culture by providing guidance, facilitating workshops and conducting risk management awareness and training sessions for staff and relevant stakeholders.
• Support the integration of risk management principles into institutional planning, decision-making, operational activities and governance processes.
• Monitor the implementation of risk-related recommendations arising from internal audits, external reviews, regulatory engagements and governance committee decisions.
• Identify, assess and monitor compliance risks arising from applicable legislation, regulatory requirements, institutional policies and relevant higher education quality assurance frameworks.
• Support departments in identifying compliance gaps and implementing appropriate corrective measures to mitigate regulatory and institutional risks.
• Keep abreast of developments in legislation, regulations, regulatory frameworks and industry standards relevant to the institution's operations.
• Collaborate with relevant stakeholders to strengthen institutional policies, standard operating procedures, internal controls and compliance monitoring mechanisms.

Risk Governance, Monitoring and Reporting

• Prepare and present periodic risk management reports, dashboards and analyses to relevant governance structures, including the Audit and Risk Committee, Executive Management and other designated committees.
• Coordinate the preparation of risk management documentation, committee reports, meeting packs, presentations and other supporting materials.
• Monitor and report on the implementation status of risk mitigation plans, outstanding risk-related actions and recommendations arising from governance structures.
• Facilitate risk management meetings and engagements with relevant stakeholders, including the preparation of agendas, recording of minutes and monitoring of agreed action items, where required.
• Maintain accurate, complete and up-to-date risk management records, registers, supporting evidence and reports to ensure effective monitoring, reporting and institutional accountability.
• Contribute to the development, implementation and continuous improvement of risk management tools, templates, reporting mechanisms and relevant components of the institution's Digital Quality Management System (DQMS).

 Internal Audit 

• Assist with the development and periodic review of the institution's risk-based internal audit plan, taking into consideration institutional risks, regulatory requirements and operational priorities.
• Conduct assigned internal audits across academic, administrative and operational departments in accordance with approved audit scopes, methodologies and timelines.
• Develop audit scopes, audit programmes, working papers and other relevant documentation to guide the execution of internal audit engagements.
• Engage with relevant process owners and stakeholders to communicate audit objectives, scope, information requirements and audit procedures.
• Evaluate the design, adequacy and operating effectiveness of internal controls, systems and processes, with particular consideration of:
• Effectiveness and efficiency of institutional operations.
• Compliance with applicable legislation, regulatory requirements, institutional policies and standard operating procedures.
• Reliability, accuracy and integrity of institutional information and reporting.
• Safeguarding of institutional assets and resources.
• Adequacy of risk management and governance processes.
• Identify control weaknesses, procedural gaps, instances of non-compliance and opportunities for process improvement, supported by appropriate audit evidence.
• Document audit findings, determine associated risks and root causes, and formulate practical recommendations to strengthen internal controls and operational effectiveness.
• Compile internal audit reports and communicate findings and recommendations to relevant stakeholders for consideration and management responses.
• Engage with responsible process owners to agree on corrective action plans, responsible persons and implementation timelines.
• Conduct follow-up reviews to assess the implementation and effectiveness of agreed corrective actions and report on outstanding audit findings.
• Maintain complete and accurate audit working papers, supporting evidence and audit records in accordance with institutional requirements.
• Contribute to the maintenance and monitoring of the institution's internal audit coverage plan and established audit review cycle.

Qualifications:

·        Bachelor's degree in a relevant field, such as business, law, or risk management.

• Having a professional certification in risk management or compliance is advantageous.

 Experience:

 ·        A minimum of 3 years working experience in an internal audit and risk management environment, preferably in the Higher Education sector.

Additional favourable Characteristics/ traits:

• Working knowledge of the King IV Code of Corporate Governance
• Strong knowledge of relevant laws, higher education regulations, and policies, and ability to interpret and apply them to the institution's operations.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify potential risks and develop strategies to manage and mitigate them.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build relationships with internal and external stakeholders and effectively communicate complex issues to a variety of audiences.
• Experience developing policies and procedures, conducting risk assessments, and managing compliance and risk management programs.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team, and to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously.
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.