SOUTH AFRICAN FORESTRY COMPANY (SAFCOL) VACANCIES

​CHIEF RISK OFFICER (CRO)
Status: Permanent
Location: Pretoria
Grade: E3
Reporting line: Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
 
Role Mandate
We are seeking an experienced and dynamic Chief Risk Officer (CRO) to lead the Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) function within our organization, ensuring the effective development, deployment, and continuous improvement of our risk management framework. The CRO will play a key role in driving the execution of the enterprise risk strategy, ensuring alignment with business objectives, and adhering to the organization’s defined risk appetite. The CRO will be responsible for overseeing governance practices, compliance standards, and regulatory requirements while aligning the risk framework with industry standards. A critical part of the role will involve identifying, assessing, and addressing climate change risks, ensuring that the organization is prepared to manage and mitigate the impacts of environmental and climate-related challenges. Additionally, the CRO will focus on managing financial risks to ensure business sustainability, overseeing financial risk assessments, and implementing strategies to safeguard against economic fluctuations, market volatility, and operational disruptions that may impact long-term growth. The CRO will lead the implementation of the Risk & Control Framework, support the integration of government-led land restitution and reform initiatives, and ensure business continuity through effective land use strategies. Ensure the organization is resilient in the face of both environmental and financial challenges.
 
Key Accountabilities
• Develop and implement an Enterprise Risk Strategy that is aligned with the overall Business Strategy
• Ensure a fit-for-purpose Risk Management Strategy & Governance Framework is in place for SAFCOL that is relevant to the needs of customers & revenue generation requirements and target cost to serve
• Design and own the end-to-end Risk Operational Infrastructure Platform for SAFCOL (incl. its subsidiaries), in accordance with the Enterprise Risk Management Framework (ERMF), ensuring the Risk Operating Model in Minimum Capital Requirement (MCR) is fit for purpose
• Oversee the development of Land Use and Business Sustainability Strategy aligned with the overall Risk Strategy
• Oversee the creation of a Land Use and Business Sustainability Plan that mitigates the risk of business interruption to the Company’s core activities due to the Land Reform Programme
• Drive the execution of operational risk and governance in SAFCOL so that offerings are innovative and competitive, whilst maintaining and protecting the quality of SAFCOL’s asset book
• Centralise the accountability and provide oversight of multiple functional areas that include Environmental Management, Governance and Control, Conformance, Business Continuity, Security, Compliance & Occupational Health & Safety with a view on current trends and future projections
• Drive partnership with SAFCOL Internal Audit and Divisional management during the scoping of audits to ensure fair coverage
• Provide oversight into the Business Development and Project Management process to ensure that all risks have been considered and sufficiently addressed
• Centralise the accountability and provide oversight of multiple functional areas that include Environmental Management, Governance & Control, Conformance, Business Continuity, Security, Compliance & Occupational Health and Safety with a view on current trends and future projections
• Ensure effective alignment between the ERM process and Internal Audit & Risk financing
• Ensure that the Business Continuity Tool is in place, updated regularly, and signed off annually
• Ensure the development of Risk and Control Self Assessments (RCSA’s) & Critical Process Assessments (CPA’s) for the Function is facilitated and updated at the required intervals (normally quarterly). Complete attestations to testify to the adequacy of controls on request
• Ensure Risk Control unit to proactively manage business risks and provide an early warning system to the MCR Risk Senior Management
• Present the Function’s requirements in Group meetings such as the EXCO level, Operational Risk Committee, and others as required. Obtain a clear understanding of the Compliance & Regulatory requirements that have an impact on the SAFCOL business and communicate these requirements to the organisation
• Set a budget for the Division, including the setting of goals and targets
• Rigorously monitor expenditures against approved budgets and put measures in place to address variances. Continuously identify areas for improved efficiency and reduced cost
• Establish risk appetite in conjunction with the business, to ensure that SAFCOL maintains exposure in line with this appetite based on a balanced risk/reward decision
• Partner with Company key stakeholders to obtain a commercial awareness of the local market and industry specifics leading to improved customer and/or business solutions, and ensure the appropriate Operational Risk Management and governance is in place
• Ensure the development and update of the BCM Tool, with the latest plan and relevant stakeholders' contact information on a monthly basis, or when necessary
• Drive the development and maintenance of SAFCOL’s Business Sustainability Management Program related to Land Restitution and other Land Reform Programmes
• Provide management oversight and direction for both physical and logical aspects of security, including information security
• Ensure SAFCOL’s Information security (InfoSec) policies, supporting standards and procedures are in place and implemented
• Direct SAFCOL’s entire Security Framework, including the Information Security Controls at all Company locations mediated through the Regional Security Committees
• Ensure Safety & Security Frameworks, protocols and policy are in place for the Group
• Ensure that special investigations on security breaches and security risk assessments are conducted
• Oversee the monitoring and evaluation of security contracts and SLA
• Ensure the development of a high-performing team through embedding formal Performance Development and informal coaching
• Develop appropriate Employee Engagement Survey action items together with the management team of the Business Unit and ensure that items are executed with business impact
• Oversee the SHEQ activities of the Group and provide direction and leadership to divisions and plantations to ensure that the relevant standards and systems are implemented in relation to Group and ISO standards
• Lead the development of an Annual Business Plan for the SHEQ department
• Ensure adherence to sustainability practices and environmental improvement initiatives
• Oversee the implementation of appropriate monitoring criteria to measure SHEQ performance at strategic and operational level
 
Qualifications, Experience & Other
• A Master’s degree or Equivalent (NQF Level 9) qualification
• Business Continuity, Information Security, Risk, and Ethics qualifications – will be an added advantage
• A minimum of 10 - 12 years in Risk Management, Enterprise Risk, Manufacturing, Climate Change Management, Compliance, Safety, Security & Business Continuity, Land Claims Management, or similar experience
• Experience in managing Control, Risk, Operations, Health & Safety, Security or Project Management environments
• At least 5 years’ experience operating at a senior management level
• Knowledge and familiar with Treasury Regulations
• Working knowledge of the PFMA and other public sector governance frameworks
• Membership with relevant professional bodies, i.e. Institute of Risk Management South Africa (IIRMSA) & Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA)
• Legislation knowledge and understanding are critical and key i.e., Companies Act, PFMA, Management of State Forest Act, National Forestry Act, Competition Act
• Understanding King IV Report
• Valid Driver’s Licence
 
Leadership Competencies
• Strategic Thinking
• Leading Others
• Driving Change
• Operational Delivery
• Commercial Insight
• Self-Awareness
 
Behavioural Competencies
• Networking & Negotiation
• Future Orientated
• Financial Management
• Reporting
• Integrity
 
Technical Competencies
• Regulatory, Governance & Compliance
• Risk & Security Management (Principles & Guidelines)
• Business Continuity Management/Business Sustainability
• Business Ethics
• Risk Assessment Terminology & Risk Assessment Techniques

​SAFCOL Group is an equal opportunity Company with a focus on gender equality and people with disabilities. 
 
Employment Equity will be taken into consideration in terms of all appointments within SAFCOL 
 
By submitting your CV to SAFCOL, you hereby give permission to circulate your information to the interview panel members for this vacancy only. Your information will not be used for any other position/purpose and will be disregarded after an offer has been made. 
 
Interested qualified individuals can e-mail a concise CV with relevant copies of qualifications in confidence to: 
Ms Sandra van der Walt, Human Capital Practitioner, sandrarecruitment@safcol.co.za, contact number 082 079 1092 
 
Closing Date: 31 January 2025 
 
Should you not have received a response within 30 days of the closing date, please consider your application unsuccessful.