Job Location
📍 Accra, Ghana
Job Type
Full-Time | Senior Management | Risk & Compliance
About the Role
We are seeking an experienced and highly strategic Head of Credit Risk Governance to provide independent oversight of credit risk across the organization. This senior leadership role is critical to ensuring strong governance, regulatory compliance, and effective challenge within the three lines of defense framework.
The role requires deep expertise in credit risk governance, Basel III/IV frameworks, Bank of Ghana (BoG) regulations, and Board-level engagement. The successful candidate will work closely with senior management, regulators, and the Board to safeguard the institution’s credit risk profile and long-term sustainability.
Key Responsibilities & Result Areas
1. Governance & Independent Oversight (40%)
- Establish and maintain an independent credit risk oversight function aligned with the three lines of defense model
- Provide robust and objective challenge to business and credit risk management decisions
- Ensure effective segregation of duties between risk governance and risk execution
- Chair credit risk governance committees and issue independent risk opinions
- Monitor adherence to approved risk appetite and tolerance limits across all credit portfolios
2. Regulatory Compliance & Policy Framework (30%)
- Develop, review, and maintain credit risk policies aligned with Bank of Ghana regulations and Basel Accord principles
- Ensure full compliance with BoG supervisory requirements and reporting standards
- Act as the primary liaison with regulators on all credit risk governance matters
- Prepare and submit ICAAP, stress testing, and periodic regulatory risk reports
- Lead regulatory examinations, manage findings, and oversee timely remediation
3. Board & Senior Management Reporting (20%)
- Prepare monthly independent credit risk reports for Credit Committee and quarterly reports for the Board Risk Committee
- Present portfolio risk assessments and emerging risk issues to senior management and the CRO
- Provide risk opinions on strategic initiatives, new products, and significant credit exposures
- Escalate material risk breaches and governance concerns to appropriate forums
- Maintain comprehensive dashboards and key credit risk indicators for Board-level review
4. Framework Development & Validation (10%)
- Design and enhance governance structures, controls, and operating frameworks
- Oversee stress testing governance, including scenario design and validation
- Review and validate credit risk models, methodologies, and rating systems
- Establish risk taxonomies, classification standards, and measurement frameworks
- Monitor regulatory developments and industry best practices for continuous improvement
Education, Skills & Experience
Education & Qualifications
- Advanced degree in Finance, Risk Management, Economics, or a related discipline
- Professional banking or financial services qualifications are an added advantage
Experience
- Minimum of 8 years’ experience in credit risk governance, regulatory oversight, or related senior risk roles
- Strong expertise in credit risk measurement, modeling, and portfolio management
- Demonstrated experience in policy development and regulatory reporting
Technical Knowledge
- In-depth knowledge of Basel III / Basel IV, ICAAP, capital adequacy, and stress testing
- Strong understanding of Bank of Ghana credit risk regulations and supervisory expectations
- Experience with risk appetite frameworks and tolerance-setting methodologies
Leadership & Communication Skills
- Proven ability to challenge senior management constructively and independently
- Extensive experience presenting to Board-level committees and regulators
- Strong stakeholder management across internal and external parties
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to simplify complex risk concepts
- Demonstrated people leadership and team development capability
Key Stakeholders
Internal
- Board Risk Committee, Audit Committee, Board Credit Committee
- CEO, Chief Risk Officer, Credit Director, CFO
- Market Risk, Operational Risk, Enterprise Risk, Internal Control
- Credit, Treasury, Compliance, and Internal Audit teams
External
- Bank of Ghana Supervision Department
- External Auditors, Credit Rating Agencies, Risk Consultants
- Industry risk forums, professional associations, and peer institutions
Information Security Responsibilities
- Ensure secure handling of sensitive credit risk and regulatory data
- Adhere to data privacy laws and internal governance policies
- Implement and maintain appropriate access controls for risk systems
- Ensure data integrity and accuracy of regulatory submissions
- Protect confidentiality of Board and regulatory communications
How to Apply
Interested candidates should apply via the official application channel provided. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Important Notice: We do not request payment for job applications or recruitment. Any individual or agency asking for money in relation to a job should be treated with caution.
