Lead Resolution Planning Specialist at South African Reserve Bank

Brief Description        

• In terms of the Financial Sector Regulation Act, the South African Reserve Bank is required to plan and prepare for systemic events and the orderly resolution of designated institutions. The main purpose of this position is to lead the development and execution of resolution strategies for banks and non-bank systemically important financial institutions that fall within the scope of the resolution framework set out in the Financial Sector Regulation Act. This includes leading the design and implementation of crisis management strategies, policies, and processes in the interest of financial stability and according to international standards.

Detailed Description        
The successful candidate will be responsible for, among other things, the following key performance areas:

• Lead the development of policies, standards, and guidance in terms of South Africa’s resolution framework. 
• Lead the development and coordinate the execution of resolution strategies for designated institutions.
• Lead resolvability assessments conducted by the SARB as resolution authority.
• Ensure the SARB keeps abreast of international standards and best practices in the resolution and crisis preparedness. 
• Coordinate the testing of crisis management capacity in the SARB and in the financial sector and formulate recommendations on meeting crisis preparedness and resolution planning standards.
• Coordinate the develop and refinement of methodologies to measure the systemic significance of financial institutions.  
• Produce reports, with input from relevant internal and external stakeholders, on industry-wide crisis management and resolution issues.
• Coordinate and/or assist with the activities of the Resolution Policy Panel, Crisis Preparedness Committee and Financial Sector Contingency Forum, including chairing and/or participating in working groups that report to the committees.
• Work on new and complex problems emerging in financial institutions relating to their resolvability.
• Participate in international organisations and committees relating to crisis management and resolution and respond to requests for information by such organisations and committees.
• Brief and make presentations to internal and external forums of the Bank on crisis management and/or resolution planning.
• Mentor other specialist on crisis management and resolution planning and the implications thereof. 
• Represent the Bank at domestic and international committees/meetings responsible for developing resolution and crisis management that would affect the resolution of financial institutions within South Africa.
• Provide training to stakeholders on crisis management and resolution planning.

Job Requirements        
To be considered for this position, candidates must have:

• A Master’s Degree in Finance, Investment, Law, Accounting or Financial Risk Management; and
• ten years’ experience in banking, structured finance, valuations, financial markets, central banking or corporate insolvency.

Additional requirements include:

• ability to work effectively in a small and specialised team;
• ability to work in an unstructured environment that requires flexibility and adaptability;
• ability to contribute to and design new policies and processes;
• ability to build networks; and
• ability to increase the general understanding of, and support for, the activities and responsibilities of the Resolution Planning Division.
• sound knowledge of resolution tools and frameworks, and applicable international standards;
• sound knowledge of relevant regulatory frameworks and international standards; 
• proven facilitation and presentation skills;
• excellent interpersonal skills;
• excellent communication skills (verbal and written); and
• proficiency in the use of Microsoft (MS) Office products such as MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint.