Executive Background & Risk Assessment Specialist

Role Summary

This is a remote position.

Playing a critical role in supporting high-stakes executive appointment decisions, this position delivers comprehensive risk screenings, background verifications, and capability assessments for Board candidates. Operating within a strong governance framework, the role focuses on providing evidence-based insights directly to Boards and Executive leadership to ensure hiring decisions remain informed, compliant, and risk-aware.

The impact of the role relies on thoroughly evaluating senior-level candidates to identify potential reputational, regulatory, and capability exposure. Operating on a fully remote basis within South Africa, the position demands a detail-driven approach to analysing complex background datasets while upholding strict confidentiality and legislative compliance.

The outcome expected from this placement focuses on evaluating candidate suitability, navigating politically exposed persons (PEP) and anti-money laundering (AML) screening environments, and delivering high-quality written reports. Joining a collaborative risk and governance team, the successful professional directly safeguards organisational integrity across leadership structures.

Responsibilities

• Executive Background Screening: Conduct full executive background checks,encompassing credit checks,qualification verifications,identity checks,criminal record checks,employment history checks,and professional references.
• Regulatory Risk Screening: Perform detailed risk screenings against Politically Exposed Persons (PEP), Anti-Money Laundering (AML), sanctions, and Targeted Financial Sanctions (TFS) lists.
• Report Preparation & Analysis: Analyse complex assessment findings and prepare clear, evidence-based reports featuring objective hiring recommendations for executive leadership.
• Risk Identification: Identify and highlight potential reputational, regulatory, legal, and capability risks associated with prospective Board and executive appointments.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Present risk insights and assessment findings clearly to Boards and senior executive leadership.
• Legislative Compliance: Maintain strict professional discretion and confidentiality in full compliance with the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) and other relevant governance legislation.

Requirements

• Relevant tertiary qualification in Law, Risk, Governance, Compliance, Forensics, or a related field.
• Proven experience conducting comprehensive background checks or risk assessments specifically for senior-level or executive roles.
• Demonstrated knowledge of PEP, AML, sanctions screening tools, and corporate governance environments.
• Strong analytical, report-writing, and assessment skills paired with high attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple assessments concurrently while meeting tight deadlines in a virtual environment.

Benefits

• Work Arrangement
• Remote / Virtual.
• Permanent.