Assistant Manager, Fraud Risk
Equity Bank
Quick Take
Identify, assess, and mitigate fraud risks across Equity Bank's operations by conducting risk assessments, monitoring KRIs, investigating incidents, and embedding fraud-aware controls into business units.
3–5 years of fraud risk management or forensic auditing experience in a financial institution, combined with strong knowledge of fraud frameworks (COSO, IIA) and fraud analytics tools.
Competitive mid-career salary at a tier-one Kenyan bank, high-impact strategic role in financial crime prevention, and clear exposure to enterprise risk governance and senior leadership.
Job Description
Equity Bank is seeking a driven and detail-oriented Assistant Manager, Fraud Risk to join its Risk Management function. In this role, you will be at the forefront of safeguarding the bank's financial integrity by identifying, assessing, and mitigating fraud risks across the organization. You will work closely with cross-functional teams to embed a strong fraud risk culture and ensure that robust controls are in place to detect and prevent financial crime.
This is a high-impact position that requires a blend of analytical acumen, investigative expertise, and stakeholder engagement skills. You will contribute meaningfully to the development of fraud risk frameworks, support fraud investigations, and help build the bank's resilience against evolving fraud threats in Kenya's dynamic banking landscape.
- Conduct fraud risk assessments across business units to identify vulnerabilities, emerging threats, and control gaps.
- Develop and maintain fraud risk registers, risk scenarios, and key risk indicators (KRIs) to enable proactive monitoring.
- Collaborate with business units to understand operational processes and map specific fraud exposure areas.
- Support the implementation and continuous enhancement of the enterprise-wide fraud risk management framework.
- Draft and refine policies, procedures, and guidelines governing fraud risk management practices.
- Monitor KRIs and fraud metrics to detect patterns, trends, and anomalies that signal heightened risk.
- Prepare clear, data-driven reports on fraud risk exposures, incidents, and trends for senior management and relevant board committees.
- Assist in investigating suspected fraud incidents — gathering evidence, interviewing relevant parties, and documenting findings.
- Evaluate and support the deployment of fraud detection tools, technologies, and forensic accounting techniques.
- Design and deliver fraud awareness training and sensitization programs for staff across all levels.
- Liaise with Legal, Compliance, Internal Audit, and IT departments to coordinate responses to fraud-related issues.
- Maintain active engagement with industry peers and professional networks to stay current on fraud trends and best practices.
- Demonstrate at least 3–5 years of hands-on experience in fraud risk management, forensic auditing, or financial crime investigation within a financial institution.
- Apply knowledge of fraud risk frameworks (e.g., COSO, IIA standards) to assess and mitigate institutional fraud exposure.
- Use fraud analytics tools and forensic accounting techniques to investigate suspicious transactions and identify fraud patterns.
- Produce well-structured, concise investigation reports and risk presentations tailored to executive and committee audiences.
- Interpret regulatory requirements and ensure fraud controls align with CBK guidelines and relevant Kenyan financial regulations.
- Manage multiple concurrent fraud investigations with a high degree of accuracy, discretion, and professionalism.
- Communicate complex fraud risk concepts clearly to non-technical stakeholders across the business.
- Hold or be actively pursuing a professional certification such as CFE (Certified Fraud Examiner) or CRMA (Certified Risk Management Auditor) — considered a strong advantage.
- Possess a Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or a related discipline.
Equity Bank offers a competitive remuneration package benchmarked to the Kenyan banking sector. The estimated monthly gross salary for this role ranges from KES 150,000 to KES 250,000, commensurate with experience and qualifications. Additional benefits typical of the bank's compensation structure apply.
Ideal candidate: A mid-career risk or compliance professional with a background in banking or financial services who is passionate about financial crime prevention. You are analytical, discreet, and thrive in environments that require both independent judgment and cross-functional collaboration. You understand Kenya's banking regulatory landscape and have direct exposure to fraud investigation workflows.
Do NOT apply if: You have fewer than 3 years of relevant experience in fraud risk or forensic auditing, have no exposure to the banking or financial services sector, or are seeking a purely administrative role. This position demands active investigation and risk assessment responsibilities, not general back-office support.
- Prepare an updated CV and a concise cover letter highlighting your fraud risk management experience and any relevant certifications.
- Visit the official Equity Bank careers portal or the job platform where this listing appears.
- Submit your application through the designated online application link provided in the job listing.
- Ensure your application clearly demonstrates your years of experience, key achievements in fraud management, and alignment with the role requirements.
- Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for further assessment.
Requirements Breakdown
Must Have
- 3–5 years of hands-on experience in fraud risk management, forensic auditing, or financial crime investigation within a financial institution
- Knowledge of fraud risk frameworks (COSO, IIA standards) and ability to apply them to institutional fraud exposure
- Proficiency in fraud analytics tools and forensic accounting techniques to investigate suspicious transactions
- Strong understanding of CBK guidelines and Kenyan financial regulations related to fraud controls
- Ability to produce clear, data-driven investigation reports and risk presentations for executive audiences
Nice to Have
- Professional certifications (CFE, ACFE, CPA, or equivalent)
- Experience with fraud detection technologies or enterprise risk management systems
- Background in internal audit or compliance within a banking environment
- Demonstrated ability to design and deliver fraud awareness training programs
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Salary Context
Competitive mid-career Assistant Manager salary for Nairobi banking sector.
The KES 150,000–250,000 range is typical for Assistant Manager-level risk roles at tier-one Kenyan banks, reflecting experience level and banking sector standards. Salary progression in fraud risk roles depends heavily on certifications (CFE/ACFE), years of investigation experience, and demonstrated impact on loss prevention.
About Equity Bank
Equity Bank is one of Kenya's leading commercial banks and a major financial institution across East Africa, known for its retail and SME banking services and significant digital innovation. The bank operates as a key player in Kenya's financial system and is recognized for its investment in risk management infrastructure and professional development of its staff. Joining Equity Bank offers exposure to a dynamic, growing institution with substantial resources for career development and meaningful impact on a systemically important financial institution.
Likely Interview Questions
- 1
Tell us about a significant fraud case or investigation you led in a previous role: what was the exposure, how did you identify it, and what was the outcome?
- 2
Walk us through how you would conduct a fraud risk assessment for a specific business unit (e.g., retail lending or payments) at a large bank.
- 3
How do you stay current with emerging fraud trends and threats in Kenya's banking landscape, and can you give an example of a recent trend you've tracked?
- 4
Describe your experience with fraud detection tools or analytics platforms. Which have you used, and how have they improved your investigation efficiency?
- 5
How would you approach designing and delivering a fraud awareness training program to employees across different levels of the organization?
Application Tips
Lead with specific fraud cases or investigations you've managed: quantify impact where possible (e.g., 'identified KES X in potential loss exposure' or 'recovered KES X through forensic investigation').
Highlight any hands-on experience with fraud analytics tools, forensic accounting software, or risk management platforms — this is a key operational need.
Emphasize your understanding of CBK regulations, banking sector fraud controls, and any experience working cross-functionally with Legal, Compliance, and Internal Audit teams to show readiness for the collaborative nature of this role.
Career Path
Roles that lead here
Where this leads
Skills & Keywords
Honest Assessment
Green Flags
- Clear, detailed role description with specific responsibilities and frameworks (COSO, IIA, KRIs) signals a mature, well-structured fraud risk function.
- Equity Bank is a tier-one Kenyan bank with systemic importance — this role offers genuine strategic impact and exposure to board-level governance.
- Competitive salary range (KES 150k–250k) is well-positioned for mid-career Assistant Manager roles in Nairobi banking sector.
- Emphasis on cross-functional collaboration (Legal, Compliance, Audit, IT) and industry engagement suggests a professional, connected team and ongoing learning opportunities.
Watch Out
- The job description cuts off mid-sentence at the end ('a high degree of accuracy, d'), suggesting the posting may be incomplete or hastily prepared — clarify full responsibilities with the recruiter.
- No mention of benefits, leave policy, professional development budget, or training allowance — these are standard for mid-career banking roles and should be clarified before applying.
- Nairobi-based role with no explicit flexibility statement; confirm whether this is office-based full-time or if hybrid/remote options exist, given the growing trend in banking.
A Day in the Life
Your week at Equity Bank's Risk Management function balances investigative and strategic work. Monday and Tuesday might involve conducting fraud risk assessments with retail lending and payments teams, mapping transaction flows and identifying control gaps. Mid-week, you monitor KRI dashboards and fraud metrics, spotting anomalies that warrant deeper investigation — perhaps a spike in card fraud or unusual loan disbursement patterns. You spend time drafting a risk assessment report for the board Risk Committee and coordinating with Internal Audit on a suspected vendor fraud case, gathering evidence and preparing interview notes. Thursday includes a meeting with IT to evaluate a new fraud detection tool and designing content for a fraud awareness session rolling out next month. Throughout, you're fielding questions from business units, staying current with CBK guidance, and liaising with peers at other banks on emerging fraud trends in Kenya's evolving payment and digital banking landscape.
Frequently Asked Questions
What qualifications do I need to be an Assistant Manager, Fraud Risk at Equity Bank?
You need 3–5 years of hands-on fraud risk management, forensic auditing, or financial crime investigation experience in a financial institution, plus knowledge of fraud frameworks (COSO, IIA) and fraud analytics tools. Professional certifications like CFE or ACFE are a bonus.
Is the Assistant Manager, Fraud Risk role at Equity Bank remote?
The posting specifies a Nairobi-based role but does not explicitly mention remote or hybrid options. You should confirm the work location flexibility (office-based, hybrid, or remote) directly with Equity Bank's recruitment team during the application process.
How much does an Assistant Manager, Fraud Risk earn at Equity Bank?
The posted salary range is KES 150,000–250,000 per month, which is competitive for mid-career Assistant Manager roles in Nairobi's banking sector. Final offer will depend on your experience, certifications, and proven track record in fraud investigations.
What are the career growth opportunities for this role?
Natural progression would be to Senior Manager, Fraud Risk or Head of Fraud Risk Management within Equity Bank's Risk function, or lateral moves into broader Enterprise Risk Management, Compliance, or Chief Risk Officer track roles in banking.
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