Executive: Head Forensics Investigation

Empowering Africa’s tomorrow, together…one story at a time.

With over 100 years of rich history and strongly positioned as a local bank with regional and international expertise, a career with our family offers the opportunity to be part of this exciting growth journey, to reset our future and shape our destiny as a proudly African group.

Job Summary

• Provide enterprise-wide strategic leadership and direction on complex forensic investigations, financial crime risk, and associated litigation, safeguarding the organization’s financial, legal, and reputational integrity.
• Lead the transformation of forensic capabilities through advanced data analytics, AI, and digital forensics, shifting the function from reactive investigations to proactive, intelligence-led risk mitigation.
• Champion a culture of integrity and accountability, embedding a zero-tolerance approach to misconduct across the organization.

Strategic Leadership

• Define and execute a comprehensive, enterprise-wide forensics investigation strategy aligned to business priorities, regulatory requirements, and emerging risk landscapes.
• Shape and influence enterprise risk and financial crime strategies through forensic insights, driving proactive risk mitigation and value protection.
• Lead innovation in forensic methodologies, including the adoption of advanced analytics, AI, and intelligence-led approaches.

Operational Leadership

• Lead and direct a high-performing, multi-disciplinary forensic function across geographically dispersed operations.
• Oversee complex, high-impact investigations involving fraud, corruption, cybercrime, data breaches, financial misconduct, and insider threats.
• Ensure investigations meet the highest evidentiary, legal, and regulatory standards and support successful disciplinary, civil, and criminal outcomes.
• Direct prioritization and execution of investigations to optimize resource allocation and align to enterprise risk priorities.

Governance, Risk & Compliance

• Provide regular reporting and strategic insights to Executive Committees on forensic risks, trends, and significant investigations.
• Define and maintain forensic investigation policies, standards, and frameworks in line with regulatory expectations and industry best practice.
• Contribute to the organization’s risk appetite and control environment through forensic intelligence and thematic reviews.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Build and sustain strategic partnerships with law enforcement agencies (e.g., SAPS, NPA, DPCI/Hawks) and industry bodies such as SABRIC and COMRIC.
• Collaborate closely with internal stakeholders including Legal, Compliance, HR, Risk, Information Security, and Internal Audit.
• Represent the organisation in legal proceedings, regulatory engagements, and external forums, providing expert leadership and testimony where required.
• Oversee relationships with external forensic service providers and legal counsel to ensure excellence and alignment with organisational standards.

People Leadership & Capability Building

• Lead, inspire, and develop a high-performing, multidisciplinary forensic team.
• Build critical capabilities across investigations, intelligence, data analytics, and digital forensics.
• Foster a strong ethical culture and promote integrity across the organization.

Performance & Value Delivery

• Drive measurable reduction in financial crime losses and strengthen control environments through forensic insights.
• Enhance recovery outcomes and support successful prosecution of financial crimes.
• Improve operational efficiency through digitization, automation, and advanced forensic analytics.

Preferred Education

• Bachelor’s Degree in Audit, Legal, Forensic Accounting, Compliance, or a related field.
• Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) or equivalent professional certification.
• Post-graduate qualification(s) in Data Analytics, Artificial Intelligence, or related disciplines (advantageous).

Preferred Experience

• 15+ years’ experience in forensic investigations, with a strong track record in complex fraud, financial crime, and misconduct matters.
• Extensive senior leadership experience, including leading large, multidisciplinary teams.
• Proven ability to engage and influence executive and board-level stakeholders.
• Deep expertise in risk, control, and governance within financial services or regulated environments.
• Advanced capability in delivering clear, evidence-based reports and executive-level insights.
• Practical experience applying data analytics, artificial intelligence, and digital tools in investigations.

Education

Bachelor`s Degrees and Advanced Diplomas: Business, Commerce and Management Studies (Required)

Absa Bank Limited is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. In compliance with the Employment Equity Act 55 of 1998, preference will be given to suitable candidates from designated groups whose appointments will contribute towards achievement of equitable demographic representation of our workforce profile and add to the diversity of the Bank.

Absa Bank Limited reserves the right not to make an appointment to the post as advertised