Senior Forensic Investigation Specialist

Purpose of the Position:

Support the achievement of strategic, business and proactive objectives through a focused approach to the monitoring and detection of fraudulent incidents and red flags for potential incidents that may impact the business to deliver on its strategy.

Monitor identified fraud risks, potential instances and known system weaknesses that may lead to fraud and/ or other misconduct.

Support the preparation of business-friendly strategies and solutions to address current fraud trends and mitigate against and prevent the future occurrence of fraud and/ or other misconduct in different contexts and circumstances.

Finding long term solutions/ controls to support the business’ resilience to fraud and unethical behaviour.

Oversee, initiate and plan fraud awareness campaigns and training in general and in specific areas of the business.

First round preparation of relevant Forum/ Committee submissions.

Stakeholder management.

Assist with third party budgeting/ finances.

Conduct investigations as directed by the Manager: Forensic Services in line with best practice, internal processes and based on factual evidence.

A Bachelor's degree or equivalent in Accounting and Finance, Internal Audit, Business or Law.

Professional qualification: CFE.

9+ years of the following forensics/ fraud experience.

Conducting forensic investigations within corporate environments, relating to white collar crime and, amongst others, conflicts of interest.

Preparing evidence files and interviewing witnesses and suspects.

Leading evidence in internal disciplinary proceedings and criminal/ civil prosecutions.

SAPS experience (including knowledge of prosecution procedures).

Understanding key features of laws relevant to the forensic investigations.

Good knowledge of information sources and evidence handling, specifically with reference to electronic evidence.

Demonstrated ability to analyse, evaluate and interpret data sets with a strong understanding and application of analytical techniques.

Experience with forensic data analytics.

Use of technology e.g. data analytics, artificial intelligence and machine learning in developing monitoring and detection techniques.

Experience in risk practices, laws and regulations (including relevant regulatory or legislative frameworks).

Knowledge in the white-collar corporate environment in relation to forensic investigations and fraud awareness strategies.

Fraud awareness training/ learning and development experience.

Operational Planning

Support the implementation and execution of the Forensic Services Strategy across prevention, detection, and response activities..

Monitor and assess the effectiveness of the strategy, making adjustments based on evolving business needs.

Operationalize the proactive fraud prevention/awareness plan developed in collaboration with the business and Forensic Services Manager.

Forensic pillars (response, prevention, detection)

Response

Investigate, timeously and confidentially, allegations or suspicions received, pertaining to violations within the Group.

Work with Human Capital to ensure corrective action is taken in line with Group policies.

Work with law enforcement for the prosecution of investigations, complying with policies and legislation.

Institute recovery procedures together with Legal and Finance.

Prevention and Detection

Identify and highlight system and/ or process deficiencies and gaps to stakeholders to recommend preventative measures, improvements, and training initiatives.

Identify suspects and analyse the activities of individuals, groups, and organisations through the application of analytical techniques.

Provide input into the identification of themes, trends and lessons learned from investigations to support the continuous improvement of business and the control environment.

Investigate behavioural patterns that could assist in the identification of fraud.

Transformation and Innovation Contribution

Analyse, research, support the development of, implement and share improvement/innovative ideas and value adding solutions contributing to divisional results.

Research, assist and compile relevant frameworks to promote and support the improvement, efficiency and fit for purpose investigations process and outcomes.

Identify inefficiencies and any obstacles to achieving processes or outcomes, in pursuance of meeting the divisional business objectives.

People management

Oversee the activities of your direct reports to ensure effective delivery of business unit objectives.

Interview and recruit new members of the team.

Resolve grievances raised by team members and escalate only if required.

Motivate team members and ensure that their efforts are recognised.

Stakeholder management

Establish and maintain effective relationships with all internal and external stakeholders.

Engage with stakeholders and manage stakeholder expectations in terms of investigatory processes. Work closely with management, to ensure that the requirements for fraud awareness training is timeously identified, developed, rolled out and managed across the business.

Project management/ operational delivery

Lead investigations performed by direct reports and other junior resources where required.

Tracking and monitoring of initiatives under all 3 Forensic pillars.

Guide the day-to-day activities of direct reports.

Quality assurance/ first line review of investigation associated deliverables.

Reporting

Support the first-round preparation process for Forum/ Committee submissions.

Report on the results generated through training and awareness programmes.

Support the development of exception reporting based on identified risk areas in the business (through data mining and statistical analysis).

Provide input for reporting on fraud risk trends, controls and mitigating actions.