Head of Risk - SmartCash PSB at Airtel Nigeria

Airtel Nigeria (Airtel Networks Limited) is a leading telecommunications services provider in Nigeria headquartered in Lagos, the commercial nerve-centre of Nigeria. The telco ranks amongst the top four mobile service providers in terms of subscribers with a customer base of more than 39.8 million. The company's product offerings include 2G, 3G and 4G wireless services, mobile commerce and enterprise services.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Head of Risk - SmartCash PSB

Job Identification: 809
Location: Lagos

About the Role

• The job purpose is to provide independent leadership and oversight for the Bank's Enterprise Risk Management Framework by identifying, assessing, monitoring, controlling, and reporting all material risks across Smartcash PSB.
• The role is responsible for ensuring that risk management practices are embedded across the organization, consistent with the Bank's risk appetite and in compliance with CBN regulations, corporate governance requirements, and industry best practices.
• The role also serves as the principal advisor to the Board and Management on strategic, operational, regulatory, technology, cyber, liquidity, compliance, and emerging risks.

Responsibilities
Enterprise Risk Management Framework:

• Develop, implement, and continuously enhance the Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) Framework.
• Establish risk policies, standards, methodologies, and procedures.
• Ensure risk management practices are aligned with Board-approved risk appetite and strategic objectives.
• Promote a risk-aware culture across the Bank.

Risk Identification and Assessment:

• Identify, assess, and monitor strategic, operational, financial, liquidity, technology, cyber, regulatory, conduct, and reputational risks.
• Maintain enterprise-wide risk registers and risk assessments.
• Conduct periodic reviews of risk exposures and emerging risks.

Risk Monitoring and Reporting:

• Prepare periodic risk reports for the Board, Board Audit & Risk Management Committee, Management Committees, and regulators.
• Monitor compliance with approved risk appetite limits and thresholds.
• Escalate material risk breaches and recommend corrective actions.

Governance and Regulatory Compliance:

• Ensure compliance with applicable CBN regulations, PSB Supervisory Framework requirements, and other regulatory directives.
• Support risk governance processes and Board oversight activities.
• Provide risk input into regulatory examinations and audits.

Technology, Cybersecurity and Information Risk:

• Oversee technology and cyber risk management practices.
• Assess technology transformation initiatives, digital products, agent banking, and payment ecosystem risks.
• Collaborate with Information Security teams to ensure robust cyber risk controls.

Operational Risk Management:

• Establish operational risk policies and loss event management processes.
• Monitor key risk indicators (KRIs).
• Conduct root cause analysis of significant incidents and monitor remediation plans.

Business Continuity and Resilience:

• Oversee Business Continuity Management (BCM) and Operational Resilience frameworks.
• Coordinate business continuity testing and crisis management exercises.
• Ensure adequate contingency and disaster recovery preparedness.

Product and Change Risk Review:

• Review and challenge new products, services, processes, systems, and strategic initiatives from a risk perspective.
• Provide independent risk sign-off where required.

Internal Capital Adequacy Assessment Process (ICAAP):

• Collaborate with Finance to prepare the Bank’s ICAAP document annually.
• Coordinate stress testing of pillar II risks and ensure all material risks are mitigated to acceptable levels, minimizing impact on capital requirements for the Bank. 

Board and Stakeholder Engagement:

• Act as the primary risk advisor to the Board Audit & Risk Management Committee.
• Present risk insights and recommendations to senior management and Board Committees.
• Engage external stakeholders, regulators, and auditors on risk-related matters.

Team Leadership and Capability Development:

• Build and develop a high-performing risk management function.
• Drive succession planning, capability building, and professional development within the Risk team.
• Foster a culture of accountability and effective risk ownership across the organization.

Educational Qualifications  

• First Degree or equivalent in any discipline.
• Relevant postgraduate qualification will be an advantage.
• Professional certifications in Risk Management, Banking, Compliance, Finance, Information Security, or Governance (e.g., FRM, PRM, CRISC, CISA, ACCA, ACA, CFA, CIBN) are desirable.

Relevant Experience & Functional / Technical Skills:

• Minimum of 15 years post-qualification experience in Risk Management or related functions within Financial Services, Banking, FinTech, Telecommunications Financial Services, or Information Technology environments.
• At least 10 years must have been within the Banking/Financial Services sector and minimum 5 years at Senior Management level
• Demonstrated experience engaging Boards, Regulators, and Executive Management.
• Strong knowledge of Enterprise Risk Management Frameworks, Risk Governance, Internal Controls, Cybersecurity Risk, Business Continuity Management, and Regulatory Risk.
• Strong leadership and stakeholder management capability.
• Enterprise Risk Management and Governance expertise.
• Strategic thinking and business acumen.
• Regulatory and supervisory engagement experience.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent presentation, report writing, and Board engagement skills.
• Influencing and decision-making capability.
• Strong communication and interpersonal effectiveness.
• Ability to operate independently while maintaining constructive challenge and oversight.

Application Closing Date
17th July, 2026; 11:59 PM.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online