We are Seeking Manager – Business Assurance

About the Company

At Safaricom Ethiopia, we are a purpose-led technology company dedicated to transforming lives through digital connectivity and inclusive financial services. In under four years, we have grown to serve over 10 million customers, with our network now reaching 55% of Ethiopia’s population – a testament to our bold vision and trusted partnerships.

Guided by core values such as customer obsession, innovation, integrity, and get it done together, we are building a workplace that is dynamic, inclusive, and empowering. We believe our greatest strength lies in our people. That’s why, for two consecutive years, we have proudly get earned the Top Employer Award – in recognition for our unwavering commitment to fostering a supportive, innovative, and inclusive environment to people.

Join Safaricom Ethiopia and be part of a team that is shaping the digital future of Ethiopia. Here, your work has meaning, your voice matters, and your growth is our priority. Together, we are transforming lives for a digital future

Job Summary

The Manager - Business Assurance plays a vital role in safeguarding the company's revenue and margins. They are tasked with implementing and overseeing revenue assurance controls, ensuring accurate billing processes, and identifying and mitigating risks associated with revenue leakage. This role is crucial for maintaining the integrity of the company's financial operations and protecting its bottom line.

Responsibilities

The role Responsible to delivery of independent and reliable assurance to the business that revenues due to the company are accurately captured and billed through proactive management of the implementation, execution and monitoring of Revenue Assurance (RA) controls as per RA Charter.

The Primary accountability is revenue and margin protection by implementing mitigating risks related to revenue leakage, ensuring accurate and timely billing processes, payments integrity for key direct costs and optimal revenue management controls across the business.

Revenue management controls

• Build a robust Revenue assurance model to improve revenue management controls for key revenue streams (Voice, SMS, Data & M-PESA) as per RA controls documentation.
• Manage the implementation, execution and monitoring of automated billing Assurance controls for new and emerging revenue growth areas.
• Oversee Financial Service Assurance that include M-PESA billing assurance, M-PESA airtime distribution, M-PESA Agents commission and e-value reconciliations.
• Ensure that all rating and billing systems are accurately set up and are aligned with the approved business rules to ensure minimal revenue loss.
• Ensure network configuration audit of the key revenue generating elements (M-PESA Platform, Convergent Billing System (CBS) Mobile Switching Centre nodes (MSC, SMSC, USSD & SMPP gateways, GGSNs, SGSNs switches etc.) are performed with a view of detecting configurations that may lead to revenue leakages.
• Assurance and monitoring of roaming and Interconnect through daily reconciliations to the source systems, and timely error management reviews

Reporting Assurance and Business insights

• Revenue Reporting Assurance to ensure 100% Accuracy in reported numbers and Key Business Performance indicators in line with International Financial Reporting standards (IFRS)
• Support the Finance division in achieving complete and accurate daily revenue reconciliation between BI, ERP and RA system.
• Champion top ups/voucher IN reconciliations, deferred revenue reconciliation analysis to support the balance in the accounts with the source systems (UVC/IN) data.
• Ensure that churn is monitored and correlations between churn and our entire products milestones are explained.
• Trends and insights on key areas including international revenue share Fraud, churn, and competitor insights.

Robust direct costs & Margin assurance

• 100% Payments integrity for key Direct Costs – Commission and Partner Revenue share
• Roaming and interconnect settlement, including timely dispute resolution
• Roaming and international interconnect margin assurance to identify negative margins and follow-up course correction.

Strategic Collaboration and team leadership

• Lead and manage the chapter in by through clear priorities and direction and remain motivated by providing inspirational leadership and coaching.
• Develop fit for future engaged team with key digital and technical skills.
• Create an inclusive environment that promotes psychological safety, authenticity and demonstrate Safaricom Leadership Standard
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams in commercial units, channels, and Technology to drive revenue assurance initiatives and ensure alignment with business objectives.
• Deliver and maintain best in class Revenue Assurance system with optimal automation to deliver high level of digital maturity.

Key performance indicators

• Ensure that the organization does not exceed the defined percentage of revenue / cost exposures exposure/loss.
• Timely detection of billing and rating control gaps
• Ensure that the organization does not exceed the defined threshold of customers with provisioning discrepancies.
• Record by record reconciliation of switch to bill and obtain explanation of any variance within SLA.
• Timely resolution of Partner and customer disputes
• Deferred revenue accounts balance reconciliation to the IN Snapshot and timely resolution of any variances
• Impactful risk assessments for products, services, and strategic projects for successful implementation
• 100% Payments integrity for key Direct Costs - Commissions, Partner Revenue share, Roaming and interconnect.
• Billing and migration accuracy for all key projects, products, and services

Direct Reports

Revenue Assurance Analysts

Technical Competencies

• Ability to analyze significant amounts of data and information and be able to monitor and explain trends and variances
• Strong IT skills
• Attention to detail
• Capability to draft, summarize and articulate risk in formal management reports

Generic Competencies

• Understanding of the organization's business:
• Putting customers first
• Performing through our people
• Delivering for results
• Managing a changing environment
• Making a personal difference
• Communicating for impact
• Attention to detail
• Planning/organizing
• Team player

Qualifications

• A graduate with a degree in Business Management, Economics, Commerce, Engineering or IT.
• Professional certification in Auditing, accounting, risk management and information systems will be added advantage
• Have at least 3 to 5 years’ experience in an assurance function.
• Ability to analyze significant amounts of data and information
• Have strong business acumen
• Have strong analytical skills
• Effective communication skills

Skills Required:

• Accounting / Finance
• Automotive
• Chemistry / Chemical / Engineering
• Civil / Engineering / Cotm
• Computer / Software / It / Data
• Economics / Statistics
• Electrician / Electronics / Electrical / Engineering
• Food / Technology / Science / Engineering
• Hydraulics / Water / Engineering
• Industrial / Manufacturing
• Mechanics / Mechanical / Engineering
• Sales / Marketing / Business / Management