Independent Director, Assurance and Market Governance

About Our Client 

Our client is a sizeable publicly listed enterprise in Kenya’s broader energy, resources and industrials sector. It is seeking an Independent Non-Executive Director who can ask searching questions, bring an independent perspective and help the Board make sound long-term decisions.

The Independent Director Role 

This is a full Board appointment, rather than a purely technical role. Alongside strong specialist credentials, the successful candidate will be expected to contribute to wider Board discussions on strategy, performance, risk and governance. Selection will take account of the approved role requirements, the Board’s committee needs and the relevant independence criteria. 

Key Board Responsibilities 

• Take an active part in the Board’s oversight of strategy, performance, risk and governance. 

• Exercise independent judgement and avoid relationships or interests that could compromise, or appear to compromise, objectivity. 

• Contribute across the Board agenda, not only within the specialist area. 

• Question and challenge management constructively, while respecting the distinction between oversight and executive responsibility. 

• Support high standards of governance, accountability, disclosure and confidentiality in line with applicable legal and listing requirements. 

• Disclose directorships, interests, shareholdings, related-party relationships and any actual, potential or perceived conflict of interest. 

• Have enough time to prepare properly, attend Board and committee meetings, complete induction and keep up with relevant developments. 

Role Purpose 

The Board is looking for a senior finance, audit, assurance or risk leader who can bring rigour to discussions on financial reporting, internal control, enterprise risk and market governance. The Director should be comfortable working through complex information, testing assumptions and helping the Board reach sound, well-evidenced decisions. 

Key Responsibilities 

• Provide leadership and independent challenge on the Board’s audit, assurance and financial-reporting responsibilities. 

• Oversee the integrity of financial reporting and the effectiveness of internal control, internal audit, external audit and enterprise-risk arrangements. 

• Advise the Board on disclosure, market-governance and stakeholder-confidence considerations applicable to a listed enterprise. 

• Review the assurance implications of material investments, strategic initiatives and emerging risks. 

• Be capable of serving on, and where appointed chairing, the relevant Board committee.