Head of Controls

Head of Controls - South, West & Central Africa (SWC)

Function: Finance

Reports to: Finance Director, SWC

Market Scope: South Africa + West & Central Africa (partner markets)

Level: 4

1. Role Purpose

The Head of Controls - SWC is responsible for providing leadership, oversight, and continuous improvement of the control environment across South Africa and the West & Central Africa partner markets.

The role ensures that CARM governance, control testing, in-market assurance activities, and change-related control reviews are effectively designed, embedded, and understood across the entire SWC cluster.

This position is the primary custodian of control excellence for SWC and acts as a key enabler of compliant, well-governed, and efficient business operations.

2. Key Responsibilities

A. Oversight & Leadership on Controls

• Lead and continually strengthen the controls environment across SWC, ensuring alignment with global control standards and market requirements.
• Provide clear direction, challenge, and support to business functions on control expectations.
• Ensure control ownership is clearly defined, understood, and consistently applied across all markets.
• Drive an annual control improvement roadmap for SWC.

• Own and maintain the full CARM framework for SWC.
• Lead the annual CARM risk-based scoping process; ensure completeness, accuracy, and alignment with global guidance.
• Oversee testing cycles, including first-line execution and independent second-line assurance.
• Ensure quality of documentation, evidence, and remediation tracking.

• Plan and deliver periodic in-market assurance visits (SWC markets).
• Conduct deep dives on high-risk process areas to assess design and operational effectiveness of controls.
• Identify thematic issues, gaps, and areas requiring escalation or structural improvement.
• Share market-specific reports and insights with local leaders and the FD SWC.

• Review business transformation initiatives, new systems, process changes, route-to-market shifts, and structural reorganisations to ensure controls are embedded from the outset.
• Assess the control impact of new commercial programmes, supply changes, or partnership models.
• Provide clear recommendations and ensure controls are implemented before go-live.

• Develop and deliver annual training programmes on CARM, controls, policies, and governance expectations.
• Build market capability through workshops, targeted coaching, and onboarding for new control owners.
• Regularly communicate updates, policy changes, and insights to drive awareness and accountability.
• Create materials that translate complex controls concepts into practical guidance for market teams.

• FD - SWC (Direct Manager)
• SWC Leadership
• SWC Market Finance Directors
• Global/Regional Controls Teams
• Commercial, Supply Chain & HR functions
• Internal & External Auditors
• GBS / Shared Services (where applicable)
• COE

• Chartered Accountant / ACCA / CPA (or equivalent).
• Strong background in controls, audit, or assurance.

• 8-12+ years' experience in internal controls, audit, or finance.
• Experience in multi-market or partner-market environments is an advantage.
• Strong understanding of financial processes, CARM/SOX/COSO frameworks, and control design.

• Expert understanding of financial control design and testing.
• Strong analytical and investigative capability.
• Ability to influence cross-functional stakeholders and senior leaders.
• Structured, proactive, and able to work independently across diverse markets.
• Skilled communicator able to simplify complex controls topics.

• Quality and consistency of control execution across SWC.
• Strength of CARM test results and closure of remediation actions.
• Effectiveness and impact of in-market deep dives.
• Controls embedded effectively in business change initiatives.
• Improved capability and awareness across markets (training feedback, adoption).
• Reduction in recurring control issues or audit findings.