Chief Risk Officer
Company: Eskom
Job Title: Chief Risk Officer
Job Location: Eskom's Head Office in Johannesburg.
Closing Date: 20 July 2026
About the company:
Eskom Holdings SOC Limited (Eskom) is a state-owned corporation as defined by the Companies Act 71 of 2008. It is wholly owned by the South African government, with the Minister of Electricity and Energy serving as the Shareholder representative. Eskom operates across the full electricity value chain generation, transmission, and distribution, this is achieved through our divisions or wholly owned subsidiaries. Eskom plays a vital role in the Southern African energy landscape through its trading activities within the SADC region and the continent.
With a dual commercial and socio-economic mandate, Eskom is committed to ensuring energy security, financial sustainability, and a just transition toward a lower-carbon future. Its operations supply over 86% of South Africa's electricity and approximately 20% of the power produced across Africa.
Following the establishment of the Department of Electricity and Energy (DEE), Eskom now reports to the Minister of Electricity and Energy as its Shareholder representative. The DEE provides strategic direction, performance oversight, and energy policy alignment through key instruments such as the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP), the Electricity Regulation Act (ERA), and the Electricity Pricing Policy (EPP). Eskom's activities are regulated by NERSA, the National Nuclear Regulator, and several government departments and parliamentary committees.
Eskom also has key subsidiaries, including Eskom Enterprises, Eskom Rotek Industries, National Transmission Company South Africa (NTCSA), Eskom Uganda Limited, and Trans-African Projects, extending its influence across the continent through critical technical and operational services.
About the role:
The Chief Risk Officer (CRO) is a key member of the Executive Leadership Team responsible for providing independent, enterprise- wide oversight and leadership of risk management across Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd and its subsidiaries. The role ensures that strategic, financial, operational, regulatory, ESG, climate, and systemic risks are proactively identified, assessed, governed, and reported.
Reporting to the Group Chief Executive, the CRO serves as the principal risk advisor to the Executive, Board, and Shareholder, providing forward-looking risk intelligence to inform strategy formulation, capital allocation, and funding decisions. The role safeguards Eskom's financial sustainability, licence to operate, and national mandate, including oversight of systemic risks impacting South Africa's energy security and electricity supply stability.
Key Responsibilities:
Develop and direct the enterprise-wide risk management strategy aligned with Eskom's strategic objectives and mandate.
Direct and govern enterprise-wide risk management practices, ensuring consistent application of the Three Lines of Defence model across all divisions and subsidiaries. Lead the identification, assessment, and governance of strategic, systemic, and emerging risks impacting Eskom and the broader energy sector.
Provide independent oversight and risk sign-off on material financial, funding, and liquidity exposures.
Direct the integration of compliance, regulatory, ESG, and climate-related risks into enterprise risk management processes.
Direct and strengthen enterprise resilience, business continuity, and crisis management frameworks.
Provide independent, consolidated risk reporting to the Board and Board Audit and Risk Committee, ensuring clarity, transparency, and decision relevance.
Lead and develop the Group Risk function to ensure appropriate capability, capacity, and succession planning.
Qualifications, skills and experience:
Postgraduate qualification (NQF 8+) in Risk Management, Finance, Engineering, Economics, Business Management, or Law.
Minimum 10 years' experience in risk, governance, finance, strategy, or assurance.
At least 10 years in executive or senior leadership roles within large, complex, and regulated environments.
Extensive knowledge of enterprise risk management frameworks, governance standards (King IV, PFMA), and financial and insurance risk.
Professional certifications (e.g., IRMSA, CRMP, FRM, PRM, CA(SA)) are advantageous
Strategic thinker with strong analytical capability and the ability to interpret complex, interconnected business and risk environments. Unquestionable integrity, sound judgement, and a commitment to independent and ethical decision-making.
Courageous and objective in challenging assumptions, escalating concerns, and providing independent risk perspectives. Resilient and able to operate effectively under pressure and in crisis environments.
Strong executive presence, with the credibility and influence to engage confidently with Boards, Executive Committees, regulators, and shareholder representatives.
Highly collaborative, with the ability to build trusted relationships and influence stakeholders across all levels of the organisation.
The Chief Risk Officer will be based at Eskom's Head Office in Johannesburg. A competitive remuneration package will be negotiated with the successful candidate. Eskom Holdings SOC Limited is an equal opportunity employer, committed to diversity and employment equity. Fusion Consulting has been exclusively retained to manage this key appointment. Please send your resumé, quoting Eskom Chief Risk Officer to Fusion Consulting.