Audit Manager: Sustainability Assurance and Integrated Reporting

Absa · Johannesburg

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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

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 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 leadership

Outcome: 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 leadership

Outcome: 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 knowledge

Core experience

• More 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 ESG

• Strong 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 frameworks

• Strong 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 controls

Experience assessing governance, risk appetite, policies, controls, data, monitoring and reporting within a complex and regulated organisation.

Reporting and assurance

Strong 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 experience

Big 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.

Leadership

Proven ability to lead assignments and teams, manage performance, coach colleagues and work effectively across functions and business areas.

Core competencies

• Sustainability and ESG technical expertise
• Sustainability assurance
• Risk-based auditing and professional scepticism
• Regulatory and reporting framework knowledge
• ESG data, metrics and disclosure assurance
• Strategic and systems thinking
• Analytical and critical thinking
• Executive stakeholder engagement and influence
• Clear, concise report writing
• Delivery and quality management
• People leadership and coaching
• Collaboration across functions and geographies
• Curiosity and continuous learning

Qualifications and credentials

• Relevant 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.

Education

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