Audit Manager: Sustainability Assurance and Integrated Reporting

Absa Bank Limited; Johannesburg; In loco; ZAR 1.000.000 - 1.800.000; Tempo pieno

Descrizione del lavoro

Absa Bank Limited is seeking an Audit Manager to lead Sustainability Assurance and Integrated Reporting. You will assess governance, data quality, and controls across sustainability initiatives and disclosures, providing independent assurance for the Group's ESG commitments.

You will oversee complex assurance engagements, engage senior stakeholders, and stay ahead of regulatory developments to ensure credible, traceable reporting in the Integrated Report and external disclosures.

Competenze

• Over six years of experience in sustainability assurance, ESG, climate risk or sustainability reporting.
• Experience leading complex assurance or audit engagements and engaging senior stakeholders.
• Knowledge of sustainability regulation, reporting frameworks and assurance standards.

Mansioni

• Lead sustainability and ESG assurance engagements, including governance, data, controls and disclosures.
• Assess governance, risk and controls across sustainability initiatives and reporting.
• Provide assurance over Integrated Reporting and external disclosures.
• Engage stakeholders and communicate assurance findings to governance forums.
• Monitor developments in sustainability regulation and adapt assurance plans.
• Collaborate with other assurance teams to strengthen overall assurance posture.

Conoscenze

Sustainability assurance

ESG risk

Stakeholder engagement

Audit leadership

Formazione

Bachelor's Degree in Audit/Accounting/related field

CA(SA) / CIA preferred

Strumenti

ISSA 5000

ISAE 3000

Descrizione del lavoro

Empowering Africa’s tomorrow, together…one story at a time.With over 100 years of rich history and strongly positioned as a local bank with regional and international expertise, a career with our family offers the opportunity to be part of this exciting growth journey, to reset our future and shape our destiny as a proudly African group.Belonging at AbsaAbsa is committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive. We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from suitably qualified individuals from diverse backgrounds. In support of our Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) commitments and Employment Equity objectives, preference may be given to candidates from underrepresented designated groups, including persons with disabilities. We encourage applicants who may require reasonable accommodation during the recruitment process to let us know so that appropriate support can be provided.Job SummaryOverall job purposeThe Audit Manager: Sustainability Assurance and Integrated Reporting provides independent assurance over the Group’s sustainability strategy, sustainability and ESG risks, responsible business practices, commitments, metrics and disclosures.The role assesses whether sustainability commitments are supported by appropriate governance, risk management, policies, targets, delivery plans, reliable data and effective implementation. It also provides assurance over sustainability-related information within the Integrated Report and other external disclosures and supports readiness for evolving sustainability reporting, regulatory and assurance requirements.Job DescriptionKey accountabilities1. Sustainability strategy and execution assuranceOutcome: Sustainability commitments are supported by effective governance, clear accountability and measurable delivery.Assess sustainability governance, decision-making, accountability and oversight across the Group and business units.Evaluate whether sustainability priorities are supported by clear objectives, targets, delivery plans, ownership and monitoring.Assess sustainability insights and analytics used for decision-making and performance monitoring.Provide assurance over selected sustainability programmes and initiatives, including whether intended outcomes and benefits are appropriately defined, monitored and reported.2. Sustainability and ESG risk assuranceOutcome: Sustainability and ESG risks are appropriately identified, assessed, managed, monitored and reported.Assess sustainability and ESG risk frameworks, risk appetite, policies, standards and supporting governance.Evaluate processes for identifying, measuring, monitoring and reporting material sustainability and ESG risks.Assess whether sustainability considerations are embedded in relevant business, operational, credit and lending decisions.Assess the completeness and reliability of sustainability risk reporting to relevant governance forums.3. Regulatory and prudential considerationsOutcome: Sustainability-related regulatory requirements and risk exposures are appropriately identified, assessed and supported by evidence.Assess the control environment supporting applicable ESG and sustainability-related regulatory and disclosure requirements.Evaluate processes used to identify and assess sustainability and ESG risk exposures and, where relevant, their connection to broader risk and prudential considerations.Monitor developments in sustainability regulation and supervisory expectations and incorporate relevant developments into assurance planning.4. Sustainability data, metrics and disclosuresOutcome: Sustainability information is complete, accurate, consistent, traceable and supported by appropriate evidence.Assess the governance, methodologies, data lineage, controls and evidence supporting sustainability metrics and targets.Evaluate consistency between sustainability information reported internally, to governance forums and through external disclosures.Assess the completeness and balance of sustainability disclosures, including performance against commitments and targets.Assess evidence trails, ownership, review controls and remediation processes supporting assurance readiness.5. Integrated Reporting and sustainability disclosuresOutcome: Sustainability disclosures are appropriately connected to the Group’s strategy, risks, governance and performance.Provide assurance over sustainability-related sections and metrics within the Integrated Report and other relevant external disclosures.Assess connectivity between material sustainability matters, strategy, risks, performance measures and targets.Evaluate materiality processes and the traceability of sustainability matters into narrative and quantitative disclosures.Work with relevant assurance providers to strengthen combined assurance and minimise unnecessary duplication.6. Audit delivery and stakeholder engagementOutcome: High-quality assurance is delivered within agreed timelines and provides practical, evidence-based insights.Lead sustainability and ESG-related internal audit assignments, including risk assessment, scoping, testing, evidence review and reporting.Apply professional judgement and challenge to the assessment of sustainability governance, controls, data, methodologies and disclosures.Engage senior stakeholders constructively and communicate assurance results clearly.Present relevant assurance findings and thematic insights to governance forums where required.Work with other Internal Audit teams to integrate sustainability considerations into relevant audits across the audit plan.7. Methodology, regulatory knowledge and thought leadershipOutcome: Internal Audit maintains the expertise and methodologies required to provide credible and current sustainability assurance.Act as an Internal Audit subject matter expert for sustainability, ESG assurance and sustainability-related reporting.Maintain current knowledge of relevant sustainability and ESG regulatory requirements, reporting frameworks, standards and industry guidance.Maintain strong working knowledge of relevant sustainability reporting frameworks and guidance, including GRI Standards, Principles for Responsible Banking and relevant JSE sustainability and disclosure requirements and guidance.Maintain appropriate knowledge and practical understanding of sustainability assurance standards, including ISSA 5000 and ISAE 3000 (Revised).Monitor emerging regulatory, reporting and assurance developments and assess their implications for the Group and Internal Audit.Translate relevant developments into assurance priorities, risk assessments, methodologies and audit procedures.Develop practical sustainability assurance guidance, risk libraries and testing approaches.Provide sustainability assurance training and guidance to Internal Audit teams across relevant operations.8. People leadershipOutcome: The team has the capability and support required to deliver high-quality sustainability assurance.Provide line management, coaching, development and career support to team members.Develop sustainability, assurance, risk, reporting and data capabilities within the team.Promote knowledge sharing, constructive challenge and continuous improvement.Experience and knowledgeCore experienceMore than six years’ relevant experience in sustainability assurance, ESG, sustainability risk, climate risk, sustainability reporting or a closely related field.Demonstrable experience performing sustainability or ESG assurance work, including assessment of governance, data, controls, methodologies, evidence and disclosures.Experience leading complex assurance, audit or risk assignments and engaging senior stakeholders.Sustainability and ESGStrong knowledge of sustainability strategy, ESG risk, climate and environmental matters, social considerations, responsible finance and sustainability governance.Ability to understand sustainability commitments and evaluate whether these are supported by appropriate governance, controls, metrics and evidence.Regulatory, reporting and assurance frameworksStrong and current knowledge of sustainability and ESG regulatory developments, reporting frameworks, standards and guidance relevant to the financial services sector.Knowledge of relevant frameworks and guidance, which may include GRI Standards, Principles for Responsible Banking, JSE sustainability and disclosure requirements and other applicable sustainability and climate-related reporting requirements.Knowledge and practical understanding of ISSA 5000, General Requirements for Sustainability Assurance Engagements, and ISAE 3000 (Revised), Assurance Engagements Other than Audits or Reviews of Historical Financial Information.Ability to interpret emerging sustainability reporting, regulatory and assurance developments and translate these into practical assurance implications.Risk and controlsExperience assessing governance, risk appetite, policies, controls, data, monitoring and reporting within a complex and regulated organisation.Reporting and assuranceStrong understanding of sustainability-related and integrated reporting, non-financial information, evidence requirements and assurance methodologies.Practical experience assessing the quality, traceability and assurance readiness of sustainability data, metrics and disclosures would be strongly advantageous.Relevant industry experienceBig Four audit/assurance experience and/or strong financial services experience is preferred, particularly where this includes sustainability, ESG, risk, reporting or assurance responsibilities.Financial services experience should ideally include an understanding of the relationship between sustainability risk, lending, operations, strategy, regulatory requirements and external reporting.LeadershipProven ability to lead assignments and teams, manage performance, coach colleagues and work effectively across functions and business areas.Core competenciesSustainability and ESG technical expertiseSustainability assuranceRisk-based auditing and professional scepticismRegulatory and reporting framework knowledgeESG data, metrics and disclosure assuranceStrategic and systems thinkingAnalytical and critical thinkingExecutive stakeholder engagement and influenceClear, concise report writingDelivery and quality managementPeople leadership and coachingCollaboration across functions and geographiesCuriosity and continuous learningQualifications and credentialsRelevant degree or postgraduate qualification in audit, accounting, risk, sustainability, ESG, climate, environmental science, finance, economics or a related field.Relevant ESG or sustainability qualification or professional credential is strongly preferred.Professional qualifications such as CA(SA), CIA or equivalent audit/risk qualifications would be advantageous.Relevant training or credentials in sustainability reporting, sustainability assurance, climate risk, ESG or sustainable finance would be advantageous.Ongoing professional development in sustainability regulation, reporting and assurance standards is expected.EducationBachelor`s Degrees and Advanced Diplomas: Business, Commerce and Management Studies (Required)