Job Description

HKA is a leading global consultancy in risk mitigation, dispute resolution, expert witness and litigation support. We anticipate, investigate and resolve complex challenges by harnessing world-leading multi-disciplinary expertise and experience.

As trusted independent consultants, experts and advisors, we deliver solutions amid uncertainty, dispute and overrun, and provide the insights that make the best possible outcomes a reality for public and private sector clients worldwide. Our experts have testified across the globe on many of the largest quantum, delay, engineering and commercial damages matters.

As part of the HKA team you can expect:

• A strong collaborative culture focused on growing the investigations practice globally and expanding our presence across Africa.

• The opportunity to join a growing team in Johannesburg and play a key role in shaping the future development of our Investigations practice in the region.

• The opportunity to work with a leadership team that believes in strong mentoring, support, and investment in your long-term career development.

• The opportunity to work on complex and challenging investigative assignments across Africa and internationally, alongside experts from our disputes, economics, forensic accounting, and forensic technology practices.

The Opportunity

We have an exciting opportunity for an Associate Director or Director experienced in Global Investigations to join our growing Johannesburg office. This is a strategic role for an experienced investigations professional looking to contribute to the continued growth and development of HKA's Investigations practice across South Africa and the wider African market.

The successful candidate will lead, manage, and execute investigative assignments across multiple jurisdictions, while working closely with colleagues across our disputes, economics, forensic accounting, and forensic technology teams. Assignments may include corporate investigations, business intelligence, fraud investigations, litigation and arbitration support, asset tracing, and transaction-related due diligence.

Job Responsibilities:

The successful candidate will take responsibility for final team deliverables, contribute to business development efforts, and manage client relationships alongside Partners and Principals within the practice. As a senior member of a growing team, they will also help strengthen our market presence and support the continued development of our Johannesburg office.

Specifically, responsibilities may include:

Project Management and Execution

• Plan, lead, and manage investigative assignments across multiple jurisdictions.

• Supervise and mentor team members, ensuring the delivery of high-quality work.

• Identify key investigative issues, develop appropriate methodologies, and oversee the delivery of complex assignments.

• Manage project timelines, budgets, and quality assurance processes for client deliverables.

Client Development and Service

• Work with practice leadership to build and strengthen relationships with existing and prospective clients.

• Support business development initiatives, including proposal writing, pitch participation, and networking activities.

• Act as a trusted point of contact for clients and assist in presenting findings, conclusions, and recommendations.

• Contribute to the continued growth of HKA's Investigations practice throughout South Africa and the wider African region.

Company Collaboration

• Actively engage with colleagues across HKA's global offices and service lines.

• Support practice, office, and corporate initiatives that contribute to the success of the wider business.

• Foster collaboration with disputes, forensic, economics, and technology specialists on multidisciplinary assignments.

Ideally you will possess the following skills and experience:

Essential Requirements

• 10+ years' experience in investigations, including areas such as asset tracing, litigation support, fraud investigations, business intelligence, due diligence, and related advisory work.

• Strong preference for candidates that have experience in financial crime and non-financial misconduct investigations experience.

• Undergraduate or postgraduate degree in a relevant discipline; with a mandatory requirement for a qualification as a CFE or FP with prior consulting experience.

• Must have previously worked on cross boarder investigations and led investigations teams working on sensitive investigations mandates.

• Mandatory requirement is the ability to work on cases that require e-discovery for document review and analysis

• Strong analytical, research, and report-writing capabilities, with the ability to communicate complex findings clearly and concisely.

• Experience managing complex investigations and leading teams across multiple jurisdictions with a willingness to travel for deployments.

• Ability to manage several time-sensitive assignments simultaneously while maintaining a high standard of quality.

• Ability to work independently and exercise sound professional judgement across a broad range of investigative matters.

• Demonstrated technical expertise in relevant investigative disciplines, including extensive knowledge of global databases, public record research, and investigative tools.

• Proven experience building and maintaining strong client relationships and contributing to business development efforts with a requirement to develop a client base both within South Africa and the wider Africa region

• Fluency in English is essential; additional African or international language capabilities would be advantageous.

• A strong work ethic with exceptional attention to detail, commercial awareness, and a commitment to delivering high-quality client outcomes.

• Exposure to the UKBA, FCPA, PRECCA and other relevant ABAC legislations.

Why Join HKA?

This is an exciting opportunity to join a globally recognised advisory firm at a time of continued growth. As part of our Johannesburg team, you will have the opportunity to work on high-profile international matters, collaborate with leading experts across disciplines, and play a meaningful role in expanding HKA's Investigations practice across Africa. For ambitious professionals seeking both challenging work and long-term career development, HKA offers a platform to make a significant impact.

ED&I at HKA:

HKA has a thriving ED&I committee working hard to provide an inclusive and welcoming environment for a truly diverse set of employees. We are committed as a business on the continued improvement of our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion strategy, please visit our careers page for further information or feel free to ask our recruitment team for further information.

All HKA employment decisions are firstly made on merit and shall be made without regard to age, disability, gender or gender reassignment, marriage, and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation, or any other basis in compliance with local legislation.

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