Group Investigations Manager (Durban North) at Aspen Pharma Group

Description

JOB PURPOSE

Reporting to the Group Head:

• Ethics & Compliance the Group Investigations Manager assesses concerns of misconduct and allegations of violations of the Aspen Group’s Code of Conduct and/or other policies, recommends the type of investigation and who should perform such investigation, which may include personally conducting high-quality, independent investigations, where required.
• This role involves overall responsibility for the investigation processes, overseeing the Group's ethics reporting hotline, maintaining an incidents register, and conducting and /or overseeing the investigation of incidents and associated costs (where relevant).
• The Group Investigations Manager ensures timely and appropriate case management and reports on findings and insights to the Group Ethics Committee.
• The role focuses on continuously enhancing investigation processes and governance, including through innovative use of technology.
• The role supports fraud risk assessments across the organization, identifies potential vulnerabilities in company processes, and recommends improvements.
• The Group Investigations Manager develops strong, cross-functional collaboration networks with the Group Governance, Human Capital, Ethics & Compliance, Risk, Legal, Finance and Internal Audit to ensure appropriate stakeholder engagement regarding investigation processes and addressing areas for improvement.
• The role requires a high level of discretion, professionalism, and the ability to navigate sensitive situations with tact and diplomacy.
• The role requires domestic or international travel, as required, to perform or oversee investigations.

KEY PERFORMANCE AREAS

Investigation Leadership and Management:

• Directly conduct investigations or oversee external forensics service providers, ensuring timely, thorough, and accurate resolution of cases.
• Provide hands-on support with investigations as necessary, including case management and resolution strategy.

Collaboration:

• In consultation with the Group Head: Ethics & Compliance and Group Ethics Committee determine the tiering and prioritization of cases, aligning investigations with the organization’s ethical framework.
• Ensure cases are appropriately escalated, managed, and investigated in alignment with organizational priorities.

Policy and Compliance Management:

• Develop and maintain documentation /templates, and a documented ways of working for investigative processes.
• Ensure all investigations comply with legal, regulatory, and company-specific policies and standards.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of applicable laws, regulations, and industry best practices

Budget and Financial Oversight:

• Manage and oversee investigation budgets, ensuring cost-effectiveness and adherence to organizational financial guidelines.
• Track and report on the financial health of ongoing investigations to senior management
• Fraud Risk Identification Management & Mitigation:
• Collaborate with key internal stakeholders across various departments (e.g., HR, legal, compliance) to enhance and support enterprise-wide risk management strategies.
• Ensure that investigations align with and support the broader organizational goals of risk mitigation and ethical compliance.
• Play a supportive role in conducting fraud risk assessments across the organization.
• Assist in implementing fraud prevention programs and identifying potential vulnerabilities in company processes.
• Monitor trends and patterns of misconduct, ensuring that patterns are escalated for further investigation and appropriate remediation.
• Work closely with leadership to drive appropriate remediation strategies in response to identified misconduct.

Reporting:

• Provide regular updates on key cases and ongoing investigations.
• Prepare and present reports and documentation to facilitate transparent communication regarding the status and outcomes of investigations.
• Continuous Improvement and Process Enhancement:
• Continuously review and improve investigation processes, methodologies, and tools to align with evolving regulatory requirements and industry best practices.
• Drive the implementation of technological solutions to simplify, streamline, and enhance investigation workflows, improving efficiency and effectiveness.

Requirements

EDUCATION:

• Bachelor’s degree in law and/or accounting/and or auditing.

CERTIFICATIONS/REGISTRATIONS:

• Professional registration in relevant field
• A Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) qualification is not strict requirement but is preferred and will be considered a strong asset for this role.

OVERALL EXPERIENCE: 

• At least 10 years of professional experience, 7 of which working in investigations in-house for a large multinational company, including 3 years in a management role.
• Investigation experience in the pharmaceutical industry would be an advantage.
• Understanding of pharmaceutical regulatory requirements and compliance would be an advantage. 
• Expertise in managing complex, sensitive and/or high-risk global investigations.
• Proficient in using forensic accounting techniques, such as forensic data mining and trend analysis, to identify red flags or patterns indicative of fraud.
• Proficient in assessing financial data to identify potentially fraudulent activities or discrepancies. This includes the ability to examine financial statements, transaction records, and accounting reports to detect irregularities, such as misappropriation of funds, inflated expenses, or financial statement manipulation.
• Expertise in the use of data analytics and technological solutions in investigative processes.

SKILLS AND ATTRIBUTES:

Leadership and Management

• Strong and effective leadership, communication, judgment, and analytical skills.
• Proven ability to achieve results within a matrixed organization.
• Strong track record in people leadership and development.

Communication

• Highly skilled in cross-functional collaboration.
• Communicates clearly and effectively with senior leaders as well as external stakeholders.
• Possess excellent written, and oral communication skills, including the ability to synthesize, summarize, and communicate important data in an objective and unbiased manner.
• Expertise in engaging with executive and C-suite leaders on sensitive and complex issues. 
• Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving
• Strategic and pragmatic approach to investigations, including the ability to make timely decisions in ambiguous situations with limited information.
• Strong analytical skills along with good interviewing and interrogation skills.
• Demonstrated ability to proactively develop and continuously enhance an investigations program, including its framework, processes, and governance.

Integrity and Resilience

• Skilled in timely handling of high-pressure situations with discretion and integrity.
• Impeccable integrity, solid judgment, discretion, and finesse in handling sensitive matters/information.

Emotional resilience. 

• Global Awareness and Cultural Sensitivity
• Experience working across diverse regions and cultures, with an understanding of regional regulatory and ethical practices.

ASPEN COMPETENCIES

Business:

• Business Performance driven: able to operate with a high level of energy, whilst remaining focused on the required outcomes. A ‘can do attitude’
• Makes good decisions: solutions orientated, innovative, agile and proactive.
• Accountability and Ownership accepts responsibility, own decisions and achieve results despite adverse conditions.

People:

• Communicates effectively: clear and transparent communication leads to clear understanding.

Self: 

• Takes action with integrity: Aspen employees must internalise the principles of the Aspen Code of Conduct and demonstrate integrity, fairness, accountability, respect, transparency and sincerity
• Continuously grows and develops: staying competitive means continually increasing knowledge, skills and capabilities
• Aspen is committed to the principles of equal employment opportunity.
• Preference will be given to applicants from designated groups through a fair recruitment and selection process in line with Aspen’s Transformation Agenda.
• Internal Applicants must inform their direct line managers of their application.
• Applications must be completed using an Aspen email address.
• If you have not heard from the HC department within 30 days of this advert closing, please consider your application unsuccessful.