ATIDI: Senior Enterprise Risk Management Officer – Nairobi, Kenya

CA Global Headhunters has been retained by ATIDI based in Nairobi, Kenya to recruit for this position. For more information on ATIDI please visit their website www.atidi.africa. Should you meet the minimum requirements and wish to apply for the position please apply directly to CA Global Headhunters.

Reference Number: SR-S-ERMO-001

Nature and Scope:

The Senior Enterprise Risk Management Officer (SERMO) is a member of ATIDI’s Risk Management Department, responsible for supporting the Chief Risk Officer in implementing and overseeing the Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) framework.

Within the Three Lines of Defence model, the SERMO sits firmly in the second line, providing independent oversight, challenge, and advisory support to business units (first line) while working closely with Internal Audit (third line) to strengthen risk governance. The SERMO ensures that ATIDI operates within its Risk Appetite Framework, meets regulatory and rating agency expectations, and maintains resilience against emerging risks.

The role also leads risk training and awareness, develops and coordinates a network of Risk Champions across departments, and ensures risk intelligence directly supports ATIDI’s strategy, resilience, and stakeholder confidence.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Role within the Three Lines of Defense

• First Line (Business Units):

Provide independent oversight and challenge to ensure that underwriting, investment, operations, and other front-line activities identify, assess, and manage risks in line with policies and risk appetite.

• Second Line (Risk Management & Compliance):

Lead enterprise and operational risk functions, maintain the corporate risk register, monitor exposures, and report to management and the Board. Ensure risk frameworks and policies are effectively implemented across the institution.

• Third Line (Internal Audit):

Collaborate with Internal Audit to ensure effective testing of controls, validation of risk management practices, and timely resolution of audit findings.

2. Enterprise Risk Management & Governance

• Enhance ATIDI’s ERM framework, policies, and procedures, ensuring alignment with international standards (COSO, Basel, Solvency, IFRS).
• Maintain the corporate risk register, covering all risk categories (strategic, Financial Risk - Business, Financial Risk – Investment, operational, compliance, reputational).
• Monitor adherence to ATIDI’s Risk Appetite Framework; escalate breaches or emerging risks to the CRO and Senior Management.
• Provide independent risk assessments for sovereign exposures, new products, and major transactions.

3. Operational Risk & Resilience

• Lead operational risk management activities: risk and control self-assessments (RCSAs), incident/loss event capture, root-cause analysis, and remediation.
• Develop and monitor Key Risk Indicators (KRIs) and Early Warning Indicators (EWIs).
• Strengthen operational resilience through business continuity management (ISO 22301), IT/cyber risk oversight, fraud risk management, and third-party/vendor risk frameworks.
• Coordinate incident response and crisis management reporting.

4. Risk Monitoring, Reporting & Advisory

• Conduct stress testing and scenario analysis.
• Prepare timely risk dashboards, heatmaps, and reports for Executive Management, the Risk Management Committee, and the Board.
• Support regulatory, shareholder, and rating agency engagements by providing transparent and credible risk insights.
• Track the implementation of internal/external audit findings and ensure closure of risk-related recommendations.
• Provide training and advisory support to business units to embed risk culture across ATIDI.

5. Training, Awareness & Risk Champions

• Design and deliver risk management training sessions and workshops for staff across all levels.
• Promote risk awareness and accountability through tailored learning programs.
• Establish, coordinate, and manage a Risk Champions Network within business units to strengthen first-line ownership of risks.
• Mentor and support Risk Champions to act as local points of contact for risk issues, reporting, and escalation.

Role Specifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in risk management, Finance, Economics, Business Administration, Information Systems, or related discipline. A Master’s Degree will be an added advantage;
• Membership in recognised professional associations, preferably FRM, PRM, CFA, CRM, CISA, CRISC;
• Minimum 8 –10 years progressive experience in risk management, with exposure to enterprise risk, operational risk, credit/sovereign risk, etc, in an insurer, development bank, multilateral institution, Central Bank or financial services firm or CIA;
• Demonstrable experience managing enterprise risk frameworks and operational risk programs in complex, multi-country environments;
• Experience in risk culture building through training, coaching, and setting up Risk Champions programs;
• Experience designing and executing stress testing, scenario analysis, and early warning systems;
• Knowledge of Basel, Solvency II, IFRS 17, and other regulatory/risk standards relevant to financial institutions and insurers;
• Strong exposure to business continuity planning (ISO 22301), crisis management, and operational resilience frameworks;
• Experience in data-driven risk reporting would be an advantage;
• Excellent writing and presentation skills, with ability to prepare Board-level risk reports, dashboards, and position papers;
• Deep understanding of enterprise, operational, sovereign, political, and financial risk frameworks;
• Ability to synthesize complex information into actionable risk intelligence for decision-making;
• Ability to anticipate emerging risks (e.g., geopolitical shifts, debt sustainability, ESG, cyber threats);
• Aligns risk oversight with ATIDI’s long-term strategic goals and mandate;
• Skilled at working within the Three Lines of Defence model, ensuring clarity of roles and effective collaboration;
• Ability to design and lead a Risk Champions Network, empowering first-line ownership of risks;
• Strong interpersonal skills, able to challenge and support at the same time;
• Builds trust with management, peers, and external partners;
• Understanding of information security, cyber risk, fintech disruptions, and their impact on operations;
• Upholds objectivity, transparency, and professional ethics, even under pressure;
• Demonstrates courage to escalate concerns and enforce accountability;
• Ability to work effectively in a multicultural environment and cross-functional teams; and
• Demonstrate ATIDI's core values - unity of purpose, customer first approach, integrity, getting it first the right time and creativity

Benefits and Contractual information:

• 3-year contract
• Willing and able to relocate to Nairobi, Kenya
• Only qualified candidates are encouraged to apply.

Closing date for this position:  02/11/2025

Should you have any queries please contact: [email protected]

Please visit www.caglobalint.com for more exciting opportunities.

CA Global Finance

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