Audit Manager: Sustainability Assurance and Integrated Reporting

Absa Ins & Fin Advise(Pty; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Job summary

Absa is seeking an Audit Manager: Sustainability Assurance and Integrated Reporting to provide independent assurance over the Group's sustainability strategy, ESG risks, and disclosures. You will evaluate governance, risk management, data quality and reporting readiness across the organisation and support external disclosures and assurance readiness.

In this pivotal role you will lead assurance over sustainability programmes, monitor delivery against targets, and collaborate with governance

Qualifications

• Experience in sustainability governance and risk management.
• Familiarity with ESG reporting standards and assurance.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills in data and controls.

Responsibilities

• Provide independent assurance over sustainability strategy, risks and disclosures.
• Assess governance, risk management and data controls supporting sustainability reporting.
• Evaluate effectiveness of delivery plans, targets and ownership across the Group.
• Support readiness for external disclosures and assurance engagements.
• Lead assurance over key sustainability programmes and metrics.

Skills

Sustainability

ESG Risk

Audit

Governance

Job description

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 Absa

Absa 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 Summary

Overall job purpose

The 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 Description

Key accountabilities

• 1. Sustainability strategy and execution assurance

  Outcome: 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 assurance

  Outcome: 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 considerations

  Outcome: 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 disclosures

  Outcome: 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 disclosures

  Outcome: 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 engagement

  Outcome: High-quality assurance is delivered