Head of Risk & Compliance (HR & C/06/26) will oversee the development, implementation, and enforcement of robust risk management and compliance frameworks to ensure organizational adherence to regulatory standards and internal policies. This executive role requires a strategic leader with extensive experience in risk assessment, regulatory compliance, and corporate governance, alongside a proven track record in driving compliance initiatives across diverse business functions. Key responsibilities include identifying emerging risks, mitigating potential threats, and fostering a culture of compliance within the organization. The ideal candidate will possess strong analytical skills, exceptional leadership abilities, and a deep understanding of industry-specific regulations, while collaborating closely with senior management and key stakeholders to align risk strategies with business objectives.
The incumbent will functionally report to the Board of Directors (BoD) and administratively to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), with accountability for ensuring all material risks are systematically identified, evaluated, assessed, monitored, and reported in strict adherence to the Bank’s mission, regulatory obligations, and its approved Risk Appetite Statement (RAS). Additionally, the role holder is expected to uphold and reflect the Bank’s Christian identity through demonstrated spiritual leadership and unwavering ethical behavior.
Oversee and execute essential duties and obligations, ensuring seamless operational workflows and adherence to organizational standards. Facilitate critical tasks while maintaining high levels of accountability and efficiency to meet strategic objectives. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive productivity and uphold compliance with established policies and procedures. Address challenges proactively to optimize performance and support overarching business goals.
Head the Risk Management Department, providing leadership, supervision, and professional development to drive optimal performance. Establish clear performance metrics, set measurable targets, and oversee the execution of departmental goals to ensure consistent achievement of objectives.
Act as a primary advisor to the CEO, Executive Leadership, and Board on matters pertaining to risk management.
Deliver timely, accurate, and audience-appropriate risk reports to the Board of Directors and Senior Management, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives and regulatory standards.
Regulatory bodies, management teams, and designated risk owners collaborate to ensure compliance, mitigate potential risks, and uphold organizational standards through structured oversight and accountability measures.
Plan, develop, and execute the Bank’s Enterprise Risk Management Framework, ensuring alignment with strategic goals, regulatory requirements, and HOPE International standards.
Ensure the Bank maintains comprehensive adherence to all relevant statutes, regulatory provisions, directives, and prudential standards stipulated by the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) and other pertinent regulatory bodies.
Monitor regulatory changes and evolving compliance obligations, providing strategic guidance to the CEO and Board Committees regarding their implications and necessary measures.
Collaborate with Information Technology and Digital Banking teams to systematically identify, evaluate, assess, monitor, and mitigate IT and digital risks—such as cybersecurity threats, system reliability concerns, data protection vulnerabilities, technology resilience gaps, and continuity risks—to ensure secure, stable, and uninterrupted digital banking operations.
Collaborate with every business unit and support function to proactively identify, evaluate, monitor, and address financial and operational risks throughout the Bank—including process breakdowns, internal control deficiencies, fraud vulnerabilities, service delivery shortfalls, and workforce-related risks—aiming to bolster operational resilience, ensure regulatory adherence, and maintain consistent, high-quality customer service standards.
Foster an enduring culture of compliance and ethical behavior throughout the Bank by delivering targeted training, facilitating open communication, and maintaining consistent engagement with stakeholders.
Holds a relevant academic qualification, demonstrates substantial experience in the field, and possesses strong technical competencies essential to the role.
A bachelor’s degree in Risk Management, Finance, Economics, Business Administration, Accounting, Statistics, or a closely related field is required.
A Master’s Degree or professional certifications like FRM, RISC, CFE, or CPA/ARCA would be highly beneficial.
Seeking candidates with at least eight to ten years of progressively responsible experience in risk management, internal audit, compliance, or financial management, ideally within a regulated financial institution. A minimum of five years in a senior leadership or managerial capacity is required.
Possesses a comprehensive understanding of Enterprise Risk Management frameworks, including COST and ISO 31000.
Basel II and Basel III regulatory standards, along with Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery frameworks,
Conduct comprehensive evaluations of credit risk and analyze portfolio performance through advanced analytics. Develop and implement operational risk tools, specifically Risk and Control Self-Assessments (ROSA), to identify, measure, and mitigate potential operational vulnerabilities.
KAI, loss event databases, and regulatory frameworks governing microfinance and banking institutions in Kenya are essential components of this role.
Candidates should possess substantial experience collaborating with regulatory bodies, external auditors, and Board committees.
Candidates must demonstrate strong expertise in generating risk reports, analyzing data, and operating risk management systems, including platforms like Audit Board, risk dashboards, and business intelligence tools.
A robust proficiency in leadership and behavioral competencies is essential for this role. Candidates must demonstrate exceptional interpersonal skills, the capacity to inspire and guide teams effectively, and a strong ability to foster a positive and productive work environment. Proficiency in conflict resolution, emotional intelligence, and adaptive leadership styles is required to manage diverse teams and drive organizational success. Additionally, the ideal candidate will exhibit a commitment to continuous personal and professional development, ensuring alignment with the evolving needs of the organization.
Individuals must demonstrate a robust ethical foundation and the capacity to embody and exemplify Christian values in their leadership approach.
Proven expertise in analytical thinking, problem resolution, and strategic decision-making is essential.
Demonstrated capability to persuade key executives and collaborate seamlessly with the Board of Directors.
Demonstrates exceptional communication and presentation abilities, adept at distilling intricate risk-related information into concise, practical insights for diverse audiences.
Proven expertise in fostering a robust risk culture and guiding multifaceted, interdisciplinary teams to achieve shared objectives.
Maintains the highest standards of integrity, confidentiality, and sound judgment at all times.
Eligible candidates are required to download the “Job Application Form” from www.smep.co.ke/careers and submit their completed applications via email to recruitment@smep.co.ke. The email subject line must include the Job Title and Reference number, and all applications must be received no later than Tuesday, June 30th, 2026. Please note that only applicants selected for further consideration will be contacted.
Qualifications
BA/BSc/HND , MBA/MSc/MA , Professional Certificate
Experience Required
8 - 10 years
