Are you up for a challenge and looking to join a great place to work? We are looking for a Head of Risk and Internal Assurance to join our team. If you think that could be you, please read on.

Who are we?

VITALITE Zambia Limited is a Zambian registered company founded in 2013. VITALITE was created to increase rural electrification and combat the poverty tax affecting low-income, energy-poor households across Zambia.

VITALITE Zambia Limited is a Zambian registered company founded in 2013. VITALITE was created to increase rural electrification and combat the poverty tax affecting low-income, energy-poor households across Zambia.

Our mission is to make quality products and services accessible and affordable to all Zambian households. We pride ourselves on having been the first to pioneer a fully integrated pay-as-you-go (PAYGO) service in Zambia and aim to become the country’s leading rural service and distribution company.

According to an independent survey of our customers (run by impact reporting agency, 60 Decibels in March 2021), 88% find we’ve very much improved their quality of life.

What’s it like to work here?

• We have built a vibrant and dynamic team in which all of us are treated fairly and given equal opportunity to progress
• We work in an emotionally safe environment within which we all have the opportunity to fully express ourselves
• Everyone is encouraged to create positive impact for themselves, their colleagues and our customers by taking full accountability for what we do every day

According to an independent survey (run by global gender advisory firm, Value for Women in February 2021):

• 94% of team members feel respected by their colleagues
• 97% of team members like our mission and purpose
• 86% of team members believe men and women have equal career opportunities
• 94% of team members believe issues of sexual harassment are taken seriously here
• 89% of team members believe we encourage open and honest communications

What is the job about?

We are looking for a highly committed, dependable and motivated individual to join our Risk and Internal Assurance team. This position will report to the Managing Director.  Successful applicants for this role will be in charge of the following:

1. Internal Assurance

•  Perform periodic reviews of the processes and procedures to eliminate and/or mitigate business/enterprise and operational risks.
• Develop and manage Business Continuity Plan including development of related training and awareness activities
• Perform reviews of control mitigation plans of functions and ensure adequate and prioritized management attention on remediating known issues and preventing recurrences.
• Cooperate with team members at all levels to ensure issues arising from audit and other compliance reviews are well understood by all levels of management and staff and that learning on fraud and control issues are shared amongst relevant teams.
• Perform departmental risk assessments to identify high risk areas within the organization that are further summarized for senior management and board reporting
• Ensure timely and proactive follow-up of Audit and other issues to ensure timely updates and closure.
• Perform ad-hoc reviews as requested by management and the chief Internal Auditor.

2. Compliance Reviews and Reporting

•    Develop communication and training programs to help employees understand their roles in compliance.
• Develop and deliver the Internal Assurance audit plan.Perform regular audits to ensure compliance with regulations, policies and procedures.
• Oversee maintenance of records related to compliance activities including any complaints on investigations.
• Perform reporting to Executive Committee, Risk/Finance/Audit sub-committee and Board as required.
• Develop and execute Compliance Monitoring Framework and perform related reporting.

3. Fraud, Special Investigations and Reporting

• Plan and undertake investigations into allegations of fraud and other incidents.
• Lead the reduction of fraud losses by efficiently and effectively investigating, preventing, detecting, analyzing and reporting
• Lead the identification of control weaknesses and implementation of related solutions and controls.
•   Lead the development and delivery of education, training and awareness activities as part of fraud prevention.
• Lead the development of effective relationships with police and other law enforcement agencies in relation to fraud/theft/other evidenced criminal acts.

4. Risk Management

•  Lead the regular assessment of risks related to existing company activities
• Lead the assessment of risks related to company change / project activities
• Cooperate with the Finance Director in the management of the Credit Default Write Off process

5. Business processes

• Develop and update Standard Operating Procedures
• Assist with the implementation of Standard Operating Procedures

6. Department Management

• Oversee allocation of tasks to members of the Department
• Oversee staff members and monitor work quality
• Ensure HR policies are adhered to
• Ensure staff members follow VITALITE policy
• Lead development of Department policies.

7. Miscellaneous

• Support any priority VITALITE activity as required by VITALITE management
• Further develop work related skills on a regular basis in order to ensure excellent work performance
• Adherence to VITALITE code of conduct
• Adherence to VITALITE Standard Operating Procedures

Minimum Requirements

• Strong understanding of Credit analysis and policies
• Good understanding of Risk Management principles
• Extensive experience of credit risk management and associated analytic techniques and practices. This should include good knowledge of scorecards, stress testing and forecasting.
• Planning and organization expertise, including proven track record within a credit risk management environment in developing creative solutions to complex issues and delivery within defined timescales.
• Possess strong numerical capability, and understanding of statistics
• University Degree
• ACCA /CIMA or other related professional qualifications
• Strong analytical and problem solving skills
• Excellent planning skills
• Hands on attitude
• Able to handle and prioritize multiple projects simultaneously
• High personal standards
• Results oriented
• Excellent interpersonal skills; stakeholder management and collaboration
• Excellent and effective communication skills, both written and oral
• Strong team leadership attributes

Female candidates are encouraged to apply