IT Quality Assurance Specialist

Our clients is a financial services company that provides affordable voluntary cover against special risks such as civil commotion, public disorder, strikes, riots and terrorism to any individual, business, government or corporate entity that has assets in South Africa. They are looking for an IT Quality Assurance Specialist to be based in Sandton.

Purpose of the job

• Performs complex level proactive (risk) reviews, quality assurance follow-ups, continuous monitoring projects and general quality assurance support to key stakeholders.
• Works involves leading and conducting financial, risk, product/specialised and compliance proactive and follow-up projects.
• Provides consultation to Agents and Internal Departments during to the development and implementation of manual and IT/system controls.
• Develop and maintain productive relations with agent companies and management by facilitating support and training of key staff members. Works independently under general supervision with considerable latitude for initiative and independent judgement.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• ·Provides input during the development of the quality assurance department’s strategic plan.
• · Is actively involved during the development of the department’s plan.
• · Is actively involved during the development of department’s key performance indicators.
• · Provides input during the development of the department’s budgets.
• · Is required to identify business risks that are related to their work.
• · Develops annual project plans and for tasks/areas that have been allocated to them.
• · Manage and ensure regular and monthly reports of projects under own supervision.
• · Develop, update, and submit for approval, QA procedures/process flows, and templates for tasks/areas that have been allocated to them.

Technical Follow-up and Proactive Reviews

• · Identify and evaluate the organisational risks and provide key input to the development of review and annual plans.
• · Perform proactive and follow-up quality assurance procedures, including identifying and defining issues, collecting, reviewing and analysing evidence.
• · Conduct and document walkthrough tests, and collect adequate evidence to support the quality assurance work results and report.
• · Identify, develop, and provide practical solutions using independent judgement throughout the review process.
• · Communicate the results of the review and consulting projects via written reports and/or oral presentations to management.
• · Pursues professional development opportunities, including external and internal training and professional association memberships, and shares information gained with co-workers and subordinates.
• · Develop and maintain a findings issues log for both internal and external audit findings.
• · Develop and maintain an observations and solutions log for proactive quality assurance reviews.
• · Develop and maintain a dairy system for follow-up, and general agents touch-base meetings.
• · Develop and maintain a complete, accurate and up to date record of all agents and management engagements.
• · Work with management to discuss and troubleshoot findings and trends identified during quality assurance projects.
• · Proactively assist management identify and resolve potential control weaknesses.
• · The quality assurance specialist will perform ad-hoc tasks within their capacity. 

Policy and procedure development

• · Provides input on the improvement of strategic audit plan and annual plan;
• · Assists the manager with the research and benchmarking process of the quality assurance review approach and procedures with the view to improve same.
• · Continuously review and revise the QA procedure manual.
• · Represents the quality assurance department on:
• - Company project teams;
• -Internal company staff committee meetings (on request, i.e. Transformation committee and the Health and Safety committee meetings and so on );
• - Company management meetings; and
• - External assurance providers or organisations, as and when required.

Financial

• · Provide input into the operational budget for i.e.:
• - The travelling budget;
• - Specific QA projects’ budgets.

People Management

• · Manage team performance of junior QA staff members or interns and report to the quality assurance manager (QAM).
• · Establish and maintain a positive working environment that will contribute to improved staff morale and increased productivity.
• Regular Informal Reviews and continuous coaching, mentoring, and counselling as required - documented evidence.
• Perform any reasonable task as and when required by the Line Manager.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor''s degree or recognised 3 years undergraduate qualification in Insurance/Auditing/Accountancy/Business Management.
• Recognised accreditations in insurance, auditing, risk management and financial sector Or Postgraduate qualification and/or a graduate degree in business administration, public administration, or a related field, or certification as a CIA, CPA, or CISA.
• 5 years of full-time experience in quality assurance, auditing, accounting, or risk management (all or a combination).
• Plus 2 years working experience as a senior, project leader or team leader.
• Short-term insurance industry experience.
• Experience obtained in consultation, facilitation, or presentation is an added advantage

Knowledge

• · Product knowledge
• · Excellent knowledge of process and control design
• · Process re-engineering
• · Knowledge of management information systems terminology, concepts, and practices.
• · Knowledge of industry program policies, procedures, regulations, and laws.
• · Knowledge of and ability to interpret the Short Term Insurance Act, PFMA, Treasury Regulations and the FAIS (Financial Advisory Intermediary Services Act).
• · Knowledge of the insurance industry.
• · Knowledge of the financial industry.
• · In-depth governance and risk management knowledge.
• · Basic knowledge of the Labour Relations Act.