Head of Group Forensic Services; Senior Executive

Let s Write Africa s Story Together!

Old Mutual is a firm believer in the African opportunity and our diverse talent reflects this.

Purpose of the Role

The Head of Group Forensic Services is a senior executive responsible for the strategic leadership, growth, and operational excellence of the organisation’s forensic function across all geographies. This role provides the overarching vision for a full suite of forensic services – including digital forensics, fraud and misconduct investigations, data analytics, regulatory advisory, and enterprise fraud risk management.

Role Overview:

The incumbent leads a multidisciplinary national team of forensic specialists, drives innovation, embeds best practice, and ensures investigations and fraud risk management activities are conducted ethically, efficiently, and in compliance with legal and regulatory obligations. The role also oversees proactive fraud prevention, detection, and response strategies and acts as a senior advisor to the business, regulators, and law enforcement on high-profile and complex forensic matters.

A. Strategic Leadership & Direction

• Develop and execute the group-aligned forensic strategy, including preventive, detective, and investigative capabilities.

• Set a clear vision, policies, frameworks, and methodologies that align forensic services with business objectives, risk appetite, and emerging industry trends.

• Lead strategic initiatives, oversee the development of country-specific fraud risk strategies and anti-fraud roadmaps.

• Stay abreast of forensic, fraud, and digital trends and proactively recommend changes to keep the organisation at the forefront of investigative excellence.

B. Service Line Oversight

• Provide executive oversight of all forensic service lines:

  • Digital forensics & e-discovery

  • Fraud and financial crime investigations

  • Fraud risk assessments

  • Whistle-blower/ethics hotline management

• Ensure each service line is delivered with technical precision, operational efficiency, and ethical rigor.

• Continuously evolve service lines (reactive, proactive, and remediation services) to address emerging risks, regulatory developments, and business needs.

C. Fraud Prevention, Detection & Response

• Drive the implementation of group-wide anti-fraud policies, standards, and methodologies.

• Oversee analytics, automated fraud decisioning models, discovery activities, and data-driven detection mechanisms.

• Manage fraud risk assessments, forensic audits, and due diligence processes (vetting/pre-screening).

• Ensure forensic investigations are conducted in line with legal requirements, organisational policies, evidence-handling standards, and global best practices.

• Oversee quantifications of financial loss, control assessments, and root-cause analyses to support recovery actions and risk mitigation.

D. Quality, Governance & Risk Management

• Establish stringent quality control standards, methodology frameworks, and evidence-management protocols.

• Serve as final reviewer for major investigation reports, expert witness statements, and audit committee submissions.

• Oversee budgeting, cost control, and resource utilisation across the forensic function.

• Ensure alignment with independence, ethics, data privacy, and risk management principles.

• Maintain and enhance the whistle-blower/ethics reporting channels to support a culture of integrity.

E. Client, Regulatory & Stakeholder Engagement

• Act as a senior advisor on high-profile and sensitive matters, providing expert guidance and oversight.

• Engage with law enforcement, regulators, external legal counsel, and forensic experts.

• Represent the forensic function at Executive Committees, Risk Committees, and governance forums.

• Strengthen internal stakeholder partnerships, including Internal Audit, Compliance, Risk, Legal, and business units.

• Ensure clear, accurate, and timely reporting of forensic trends, case progress, and emerging risks to relevant committees.

F. People Leadership & Talent Development

• Lead, mentor, and develop a multidisciplinary forensic team investigators, digital forensic analysts, data analysts).

• Guide the Group subsidiaries in terms of forensic group practices and frameworks.

• Build a…