Analyst, Southern Africa

Control Risks is a specialist risk consultancy that helps to create secure, compliant and resilient organisations 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 provide our clients with the insight to focus resources and ensure they are prepared to resolve the issues and crises that occur in any ambitious global organisation.

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.

Control Risks is looking for an experienced analyst to cover Southern Africa. The analyst will have a leading role in covering political, security and business-relevant issues in the SADC region and in client engagements on the region. They will be part of a team focused on Sub-Saharan Africa within the Global Risk Analysis department, and will also work closely with other Southern Africa-focused colleagues, particularly those in our Johannesburg office.

Our analysts are country specialists with backgrounds in the political risk industry, business, academia, journalism, government and/or international organisations. Our analysis is delivered to clients through subscription products and in bespoke consulting engagements that showcase our expertise. We commonly advise clients on topics such as threats to stability, election outcomes, levels of corruption, ESG risks, policymaking and regulatory dynamics in certain sectors.

The successful candidate will have a strong interest in and understanding of political dynamics in the SADC region, or a sub-set of countries in the region. They will have strong writing and presentation skills, a network of contacts in the region, and preferably some experience in client engagement.

Willingness to travel and an ability to work collaboratively and communicate effectively with colleagues across departments and offices are vital. This role will require the successful candidate to be based in Johannesburg and regularly attend the office there, though Control Risks encourages hybrid and flexible working arrangements.

Task and Resposibilities:

• Contribute to team discussions about political and business risk issues in the SADC region. Take ownership and responsibility for determining our position and analytical line on key issues.
• Maintain a high level of regional and country expertise through research, attendance at relevant seminars and research trips.
• Create and maintain country-, regional and sector-specific databases as required.
• Build effective relationships with the Africa analysis team and other Africa-focused experts throughout Control Risks, including in Nairobi, Dakar, Lagos and Maputo.
• Develop and effectively manage government, academic, journalistic and business contacts in the region and share knowledge about sources with other members of the desk.
• Provide regular and high-quality coverage of relevant developments affecting the business environment in Southern Africa for clients subscribing to Seerist (CORE), Control Risks’ online subscription service. This will include writing updates on trends and developments across the region in domestic politics, government policy, regulation, operational and security issues.
• Work closely with other analysts covering Southern Africa. This will include challenging and accepting feedback on own analysis, and ensuring coherence with other analysts.
• Collaborate with colleagues in other geographical regions on analysis of crosscutting pan-African or global issues and trends where required (geopolitics, climate change, sustainability, technology, etc.).
• Lead conversations with clients on their requirements for analysis of political, regulatory and operational risks in the region. Scope and write proposals for bespoke consulting engagements on the region.
• Contribute to the development of compelling client deliverables and propose innovative ways to present facts and analysis to clients and assist in preparing the presentation of research in formats including PowerPoint.
• Support and contribute to the delivery of consulting engagements for the wider Africa region as required.
• Represent Control Risks at client meetings in support of senior colleagues from analysis, client liaison or other departments.
• Contribute to company-wide promotional publications, press releases and sales initiatives.
• Contribute to regional marketing initiatives including thought leadership (articles, blog-posts, podcasts, etc.), and represent Control Risks as a country expert at conferences when required.
• Respond to media queries on the region as required under the direction of more senior members of the Africa analysis team.

Requirements

Essential

• Professional experience in consulting, political and security risk analysis, emerging market analysis, market intelligence, public policy, academia, or government, with a primary focus on Southern Africa (whether focused primarily on a sub-group of countries or the SADC region as a whole).
• Knowledge and understanding of key political, operational, security and ESG risk issues in the Southern Africa region.
• Proven ability to write and verbally communicate with authority and clarity.
• Honors’ degree (or equivalent) in relevant discipline.
• Previous professional experience of risk analysis on the region and familiarity with business-focused research.
• Knowledge of Portuguese, French, or other languages spoken in the region is a plus, but is not essential.
• Network of professional contacts in Southern Africa (public and private sector, policy and academia, journalism, government, etc.)
• Experience conducting business development, proven track record of winning work (or funding), managing projects, and developing/maintaining client relationships.
• Track record of relevant publications, participation in conferences and events, or providing expert comment to media

Benefits

• Control Risks offers a competitively positioned compensation and benefits package that is transparent and summarised in the full job offer.
• We operate a discretionary global bonus scheme that incentivises, and rewards individuals based on company and individual performance.
• Control Risks supports hybrid working arrangements, wherever possible, that emphasise 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.