Researcher/Associate Consultant (Africa)

Control Risks is a specialist risk consultancy that helps to create secure, compliant and resilient organizations in an age of ever-changing risk. Working across disciplines, technologies and geographies, everything we do is based on our belief that taking risks is essential to our clients’ success. We go beyond problem-solving and give our clients the insight and intelligence they need to realise opportunities and grow. From the boardroom to the remotest location, we have developed an unparalleled ability to bring order to chaos and reassurance to anxiety.

The successful candidate for the researcher/associate consultant role will be joining the sub-Saharan Africa business intelligence team who will work with colleagues dedicated to investigating corporate integrity in the region, helping our clients to ensure that their investments do not fall prey to corrupt, illegal or unethical business practices. The role requires great attention to detail and an interest in business at the operational level, as well as an awareness of the commercial challenges facing companies operating in sub-Saharan Africa.

The right candidate will be a proactive team player who has the ability to maintain a positive attitude under pressure. They will be required to make sense of complex information under tight deadlines and have a clear and concise writing style. The right candidate will have an inquisitive nature and be able to demonstrate proficiency in investigating, evaluating and interpreting both open source and human intelligence information in the context of due diligence and business intelligence investigations.

Tasks and Responsibilities

Investigative Case Management

1. Under the direction of senior team members, manage and execute a range of business intelligence and compliance projects including due diligence, background checks, market entry studies, asset identification, litigation support, problem solving and power mapping.
2. Liaise with clients to understand their requirements and ensure that our proposals deliver solutions tailored to those needs.
3. Manage the entire project cycle, from initial client request to proposal drafting, acceptance, delivery and invoicing.
4. Liaise with our human source network and expand it by cultivating contacts in the team's countries of operation.

Business and Practice Development

1. Take an active part in developing Control Risks' client base, seeking to identify sales leads, providing research into prospective clients, and helping to organise sales meetings.
2. Prepare focused briefings and case studies for client initiatives.
3. Seek opportunities to improve our current methodologies, including through the application of new technology and new online sources.

Minimum Requirements

1. A minimum of BSc. degree level.
2. Knowledge of key anti-bribery and corruption principles in the commercial sector.
3. Understanding of business trends and challenges as well as political developments in sub-Saharan Africa.
4. Investigative and analytical skills and excellent attention to detail.
5. Ability to summarise large amounts of information in a concise manner and communicate effectively.
6. Experience operating within a commercial environment, preferably in a client-facing role.

Control Risks offers a competitively positioned compensation and benefits package that is transparent and summarized in the full job offer. We operate a discretionary global bonus scheme that incentivizes and rewards individuals based on company and individual performance. Control Risks supports hybrid working arrangements, wherever possible, that emphasize the value of in-person time together - in the office and with our clients - while continuing to support flexible and remote working. As an equal opportunities employer, we encourage suitably qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply and join us and are fully committed to equal treatment, free from discrimination, of all candidates throughout our recruitment process.