Risk And Control Assistant Manager

Job description / Role

Mandate skills

Strong knowledge of risk frameworks (operational risk). Analytical and problem-solving skills with ability to identify gaps and propose solutions. Strong communication and stakeholder management skills. Attention to detail and ability to work under pressure with tight timelines. Overall 5+ years of work experience across operations and BFSI space with experience in risk management, or related field.

Organization unit purpose

Account Services is responsible for supporting operational activities including account opening, account maintenance - financial & non-financial and periodic review related to retail banking, business banking, wholesale banking, priority & private banking segments catering to ENBD & EI customers.

In addition, the unit also supports court case management of EI customers for courts in UAE.

Job purpose

The Assistant Manager, Risk & Control, plays a key role in protecting the organization by ensuring risks are identified, assessed, and effectively managed across Account Services supported segments. The role is responsible for driving the RCSA (Risk & Control Self-Assessment), KCAA (Key Control Assessment & Assurance), and KRI (Key Risk Indicators) frameworks, ensuring that controls are tested, gaps are addressed, and risks are reported in a timely manner.

This position also oversees the closure of audit findings and operational risk issues, conducts control reviews, and supports new product and process assessments to prevent emerging risks.

Beyond monitoring, the role focuses on building a strong culture of risk awareness, guiding teams through training, workshops, and active engagement. By combining analysis, control testing, and stakeholder collaboration, the Assistant Manager ensures that the organization remains audit-ready, compliant with regulatory standards, and resilient against operational disruptions.

Supporting in consolidation, preparation of Operational Risk Committee (ORC) packs, follow up and closure of post identified actions.

Job content

Internal audit & assurance

• Oversee open audit findings, compliance actions, and operational risk issues; ensure timely closure of open actions within agreed timelines.
• Track, monitor, and escalate overdue items to management, ensuring accurate updates are provided to senior stakeholders.
• Support units to self-report issues and be audit-ready before internal or external reviews.
• Recommend best practices and ensure control standards are implemented consistently across units.
• Ensure no audit findings or prevent reopened findings (and add operational risk actions too).
• Quality assurance on oversight adherence to sampling guidelines.
• Enhance and maintain oversight on quality and ensure error rates are kept minimal, recommend mitigating actions.

Risk assessment, initiatives & awareness

• Manage the RCSA (Risk & Control Self-Assessment) process across units, ensuring comprehensive identification and evaluation of risks and controls.
• Conduct KCAA (Key Control Assessment & Assurance) reviews, validating control effectiveness and identifying gaps.
• Define, monitor, and enhance KRIs (Key Risk Indicators), ensuring timely and accurate reporting results monthly and escalating critical issues.
• Conduct NPPA (New Product & Process Assessments) with impacted teams to identify potential risks and propose controls.
• Carry out thematic reviews to ensure comprehensive coverage.
• Drive and create initiatives and projects for driving control initiatives and projects.

Control & process review

• Carry out periodic reviews of control checks, root cause analyses on real-time alerts, and policy/process changes (internal & external).
• Perform control testing and quality assurance checks to ensure adherence to intra-day and end-of-day standards.
• Support units in documenting and updating SOPs/PFDs with adequate risk controls.
• Review and challenge process risk gaps in collaboration with unit heads and recommend process enhancements.

Operational risk monitoring & reporting

• Track, analyze, and report operational risk events, ensuring timely resolution and closure.
• Loss events: Conduct root cause analysis and recommend controls to avoid recurrence.
• Drive monthly risk review sessions with functional risk champions and senior management.
• Maintain a risk register with adequate controls and mitigation actions.
• Support fraud risk management by tracking investigations, implementing corrective actions, and raising awareness.

Risk culture

• Promote risk awareness across the organization through training, formal communications, and ongoing engagement.
• Conduct workshops and awareness sessions on risk and control practices.
• Encourage ownership of risk controls within business units.

Job / person specifications

Education and/or professional qualification

• Bachelors degree in finance
• MBA
• ACAMS / ORM / ICA Compliance Certification

Experience

Overall 5+ years of work experience across operations and BFSI space with experience in risk management, or related field.

Job knowledge

• Strong knowledge of risk frameworks (operational risk).
• Analytical and problem-solving skills with ability to identify gaps and propose solutions.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Attention to detail and ability to work under pressure with tight timelines.

Knowledge & skills

• Ability to design, develop and execute new process frameworks.
• Ability to coordinate and present.
• Ability to plan and manage change.
• Relationship and conflict management.
• Exceptional communication skills.
• Negotiation and influencing skills.
• Advanced business presentation skills.

Behavioral competencies

• Proactive / self-starter.
• Deadlines driven / achievements focused.
• Problem solving.
• Analytical and ability to interpret complex management information.
• High integrity.