ROLE POSITIONING AND OBJECTIVES

The role leads the review of processes and systems across BAT East & Southern Africa (22 countries) for compliance with BAT Group and local corporate governance requirements. It leads the preparation for:

• Bi-annual review of the risk and controls framework for BAT East & Southern Africa
• Audit committee papers for the BAT Kenya plc and BAT Uganda Limited Audit Committee’s which occur at least 3 times annually to review business risks and the status of compliance to approved business processes and controls
• The East & Southern Africa cluster Risk and Controls Committee which meets 2 times in a year to review risks and results of compliance and audit reviews carried out by the compliance manager and internal audit manager.
• Monthly monitoring of internal controls as per Controls Excellence Dashboard that reviews effectiveness of system-based controls and tracks status of action plans.

WHAT YOU WILL BE ACCOUNTABLE FOR

• Perform compliance reviews on pre-identified high-risk processes and prepare written reports for Board of Directors and Senior Leadership Team that clearly and accurately explain the findings and action plans for improvement.
• Conduct independent risk-based operational process reviews to help ensure that the systems and procedures support the achievement of business goals and objectives.
• Drive review of risk & control framework and lead cross-functional teams in self-assessment of internal controls (annual control navigator assessment) and monitor implementation of remedial action plans.
• Perform ad-hoc reviews and investigations into suspected irregularities and report the same to the Board of Directors and Senior Leadership Team.
• Provide formal training for the operating companies’ management and staff to raise the awareness of risk and control.
• Provide administrative support to the Audit & Risk Committees of BAT Kenya plc & BAT Uganda.
• Develop and drive process efficiency improvements, based on best practice and in line with Group standardisation.
• Monthly monitoring and reporting of internal controls as per Controls Excellence Dashboard that reviews effectiveness of system-based controls and tracks status of action plans
• Develop leadership skills for own career advancement.

ESSENTIAL EXPERIENCE, SKILLS, AND KNOWLEDGE

Knowledge / Qualifications

• Financial or audit background with a professional accountancy qualification (such as ACCA, CPA) and a relevant university degree.
• Minimum of 7 years relevant finance/audit experience of which at least 3 years should have been in a controlling or audit related field.
• Working knowledge of SAP is an added advantage.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint.

Skills

• Effective communication and interpersonal skills as well as the ability to manage relationships and work with managers across all levels within the company and externally.
• Good influencing skills with ability to interact with all levels of senior management and Board of Directors.
• An ability to work effectively with all levels of staff within the company and externally – this should be demonstrated by successful experience in business partnership and decision support.
• Basic understanding of commercial business drivers.
• Pro-active, persuasive, and creative as the jobholder will be introducing new rules and changing standards of practice.
• Project management skills – able to work independently and maintain level of independence whilst working in partnership with the Head Office Finance team.