Specialist, Governance, Risk & Assurance

JOB PURPOSE:

Specialist Governance Risk & Assurance is a hands-on role supporting the Risk and Assurance Department to oversee the design, operation, and evolution of AGT’s global system of internal control. You will become part of a highly functioning and specialist team, dedicated to the delivery of robust risk assurance for a growing and ambitious trading organisation. The scope of the role will include both tactical oversight of Controls Framework and Risk Management efforts day to day, and broader development of the risk mitigation strategies for the organisation as it pursues its growth agenda.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES:

Job Specific Accountabilities

Control & Assurance

• Perform internal controls and comprehensive risk assessments, utilising business understanding, technological expertise, and industry insights to develop an appropriate risk assurance strategy and action plan
• Collaborate with colleagues across defense lines to assess risk identification and mitigating controls, providing guidance where improvement is needed
• Conduct assurance testing for control effectiveness with appropriate strategies as the business evolves
• Review and challenge control outputs, identify discrepancies, and implement corrective actions
• Assess inherent and residual risks from control deficiencies, balancing business growth with the requirement for maintaining a robust control environment
• Coordinate with internal and external audit teams to understand gaps and ensure timely remediation.
• Monitor key performance indicators for control activities, producing reports to drive interventions and awareness
  
  

Advisory & Transformation

• Support the department in conducting comprehensive assessments of existing processes and controls. Perform end-to-end risk assurance and thematic reviews across teams identifying necessary changes to enhance and effectively monitor the control environment
• Drive the process of innovation, challenging the status quo to contribute to business strategic plans and group-wide initiatives to support business growth and operational efficiency
• Assist with ad hoc Group, internal and external facing projects where deliverables are tight and require effective engagement with stakeholders and colleagues at all levels of the organisation
• Develop a culture of continuous improvement by providing all levels of the organisation with the necessary awareness, processes, and tools to establish and maintain a dynamic and effective controls environment
  
  

Governance and Risk Culture

• Foster a strong, evolving risk culture embedded in daily decisions and operations, enabling a proactive, preventive approach to risk management by learning from past experiences, industry trends, and market developments
• Promote the consistent implementation of policies, procedures, controls, and processes to manage risks
• Develop and deliver training programs to raise risk awareness and support a strong risk governance culture
• Contribute to creation of a network with control colleagues across the organisation, and technology departments to further establish and maintain best practice and business relationships
• Encourage and support a risk culture that aligns with the organisation's values, goals, and aspirations through direct actions and behavioural examples
  
  

Generic Accountabilities

Leadership

• Proven track record of delivering results
• Strategic thinker with a risk-based and long-term business perspective
• Skill in creating and evaluating strategies to meet organisational objectives
  
  

Budgets and Operational Plans

• Support the Vice President of Accounting in developing and managing the department's annual budget, ensuring alignment with AGT’s business objectives and operational plans, and guaranteeing sufficient funding for all departmental activities
• Assist the Vice President of Accounting in regularly monitoring expenditures against the approved department budget; identify, investigate, and reconcile significant variances to maintain effective performance and cost control
  
  

Policies, Systems, Processes & Procedures

• Develop and implement Department policies, processes, systems, standards, procedures, and internal controls, following AGT guidelines, to support the Division's work programs in line with AGT and International Standards
  
  

Performance Management

• Contribute to the development of the Division’s KPI’s
• Support in developing and reporting out of corporate KPI’s of the entity
  
  

QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS:

Minimum Qualification

• Degree in Business Administration, Finance, Risk Management, Accounting, or a related field
• Professional qualifications like CIMA, ACCA, or a postgraduate degree in finance or risk management are advantageous
  
  

Minimum Experience

• A minimum of 5 years of experience is required, with at least 3 years in a global commodity trading house. This experience should encompass exposure to various physical and financial transaction types across roles in operations, risk monitoring, accounting, or control functions
• The candidate must be familiar with internal control principles and design requirements, possess the ability to analyse and provide credible assessments of the effectiveness of internal control structures, understand best practices in internal control testing approaches and documentation of results, and have knowledge of the systems and reporting needed to effectively monitor control activities. Familiarity and knowledge of IFRS, Corporate Governance, SOX, and compliance frameworks such as COSO and COBIT would be advantageous
• Proven and hands-on experience in establishing, executing, and managing front-to-back risk and controls assessments in a fast-paced and global business environment is essential
• Demonstrable experience and interest in leveraging technology and digitisation to transform and enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of internal control systems
• Working knowledge of Energy Trading & Risk Management (ETRMs) and Freight Management Systems is essential
  
  

Knowledge And Skills

• Proven experience in managing complexity and ambiguity to set and deliver on risk and controls initiatives with minimal involvement from a manager
• Ability to transition ideas into actionable deliverables, maintaining a balance between theory and practice
• Problem-solving and decision-making skills, with the capability to analyse complex information to identify key issues and actions
• Capable of developing and utilising broad technical capabilities and professional knowledge to identify root causes of problems and propose clear solutions
• Demonstrates technical and personal skills required to be both an effective advisor to the business and enforcer of standards and best practices
• Good interpersonal skills and ability to build and maintain trust relationships, always seeking collaboration to achieve objectives and maintain sound stakeholder relationships
• Project management skills with a track record of contributing positively to finance process, business model, and technology projects when working with both internal and external partners and service providers
• Curious, adaptable, dynamic, and fast learner with strong business instincts, able to identify potential risks early in the design phase of new projects or innovations
• Comfortable with challenging existing ways of working, seeking alternatives, and advocating new and different solutions.
  
  

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