Head of Fraud and Forensic Investigations Absa Bank

Job Summary
1. To investigate incidents and cases referred to forensics investigations.Assist in the management of all investigation-related budgets and assume responsibility for the day-to-day approvals within approved limits. Liaise with Governmental authorities to ensure that forensics investigation is kept abreast of the most up to date information/intelligence on threat levels and advice on reacting to them.
2. Review and investigate all incidents of a Security/ Safety nature and ensure that relevant Senior Management is kept informed.
To proactively manage fraud risk within the bank by implementing & embedding the Group Fraud Risk Control Framework and policies, managing fraud losses within the budgets / appetite, ensuring fraud reporting standards are complied with; development of fraud risk capability in fraud management & investigations and pro-actively incept/lead fraud reduction, training & prevention initiatives across the country.
4. Conduct a root cause analysis for frauds events and prepare a lesson learnt reports.

Job Description
Investigation
1. Provide Group wide investigation capability and lead, into significant and sensitive fraud, theft and corruption cases.
2. Ensure that matters where there is a significant fraud loss to the Bank, that a Steerco is established, comprising of all relevant stakeholders, to ensure that there is proper management over such cases and that recovery efforts are maximised.
3. Ensure that any control failures identified during the course of an investigation are immediately brought to the attention of Fraud Strategy / responsible business unit.
4. Continuously evaluate cases allocated to direct reports for investigation in line with set guidelines and standards.
Liaise and work with law enforcement agencies, professionals, and commercial organizations in this field of expertise.
6. Develop training awareness courses, workshops, brochures, and other material to alert employees as to the Bank’s policy on relevant forensic investigation topics.

Stakeholder Management
1. Engage and communicate the department’s philosophy to direct reports/stakeholders and ensure they understand the responsibility of the department vs. Business Unity responsibility.
2. Interact with counterparts in the industry to share information, engender co-operation to gain a common understanding of the threats and risks.
3. Build and maintain relationships with other external parties (e.g.UG Police Services, Uganda Revenue Authority, Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions) to ensure that co-operation can be obtained when required for key investigations.
4. Ensure vendor management through monthly vendor meetings and monitor tasks allocated.
5. Communicate the Forensic Investigations philosophy to direct reports / stakeholders and ensure they understand the responsibilities of Forensic Investigations vs. business unit responsibilities.
6. Identify fraud risks and or emerging risks during the course of an investigation or interactions with internal / external stakeholders are escalated upon discovery, to the relevant Business Unit and for assessment and closing “gaps” related to processes, policies, and systems. Interact with counterparts in the industry to engender co-operation and gain a common understanding of threats and risks.

People Management
1. Manage a team to ensure effective delivery of services to Stakeholders
2. Determine and analyse development needs for the team and ensure that identified training requirements are budgeted for and executed.
3. Develop a high performing team by embedding formal performance development and informal coaching.
4. Encourage frequent knowledge sharing between team members.
5. Review and maintain succession plans for one level below.

Business Management
1. Translate set strategy into operational business plans.
2. Constantly review the number of cases reported to improve the investigation methodologies, criteria and adjust accordingly to a risk- based approach.
3. Constantly review the number of cases reported to improve the investigation methodologies, criteria and adjust accordingly to a risk- bases approach.
4. Conduct monthly oversight reviews with direct reports to understand the business performance and support them to develop corrective actions where required.

Operational Oversight and Guidance
1. Assess and update the investigative policies/procedures and ensure implementation and adherence.
2. Ensure that minimum investigation standards are set and adhered to.
3. For sensitive or high-risk cases (on an ad hoc basis or when tasked by management) execute the investigation activities end-to-end or, if appropriate, delegate to one of the direct reports.
4. Ensure that feedback is provided to management/stakeholder in so far as high level/sensitive cases are concerned.
5. Provide suitable training material, best practice activity and advisory services to the Forensic function in the area of your expertise.

Cyber Security
1. Review business and cyber security environment to identify areas where fraud can occur.
2. Develop a cyber fraud management plan with appropriate detection, response and recovery capabilities.
3. Assess the effectiveness of the measures against cyber fraud risk management plan.
4. Develop a documented action plan containing policies, practices and procedures that mitigate the identified risks.
5. Establish a standard methodology for performing cyber related frauds to ensure evidence obtained can be presented in the court of law should there be need.
6. Evaluate effectiveness of current Cyber fraud response plan against industry practices.
7. Evaluate response plans periodically to ensure relevance.
8. Rate and categories potential cyber fraud incidents.
9. Recommend suitable enhancements to improve cyber fraud performance.

Competencies:
1. Strong Analytical Skills
2. Strong communication skills
3. Knowledge of Financial Crime Governance, legal and regulatory requirements
4. Fraud techniques including advances in fraud, plastics, and transaction fraud
5. Counterfeiting Risk Management
6. Online fraud threats and controls

Essential Skills :
1. Excellent presentation and communication skills
2. Leadership skills.
3. Report writing skills.
4. Creative & practical execution of high-level concepts
5. Working knowledge of risk management disciplines and processes
6. A good understanding of fraud types within the financial services sector, especially in country and market trends.
7. Broad knowledge and understanding of Ugandan penal code is an added advantage
8. An understanding of Fraud prevention tools/techniques that are currently used within the fraud industry.
9. Data-Driven Decision Making
10. Understanding of Cyber Fraud Management.

Preffered Experience:
1. Experience of working in a multinational, multi-segment, environment with matrix reporting
2. 2 – 3 years experience in leading a fraud / forensic investigations team.
3. Working experience with Uganda Law enforcement agencies.

Education and Certifications Required
1. A university Degree in Law, Criminology, Fraud and Forensic Investigations or its equivalent.
2. Certification / Qualification in Cyber Security Management.

Communication and interaction required
1. Employee in own area (manager, subordinates, colleagues) [30%]
2. Employee outside own area [20%]
3. Internal clients (other than employee in own area) [20%]
4. External clients [5%]
5. Regulators/Government Agencies [15%]
6. Vendors/Suppliers [5%]
7. Other (E.g., Industry Forums/Associations) [5%]

Education
1. Bachelor`s Degrees and Advanced Diplomas: Law, Military Science and Security (Required)