Key responsibilities include intelligence gathering, with an emphasis on building, maintaining, and expanding a strong network of senior-level contacts across relevant markets (public and private sectors). This role also involves regular travel within the region.

Competency in key client sectors—energy, financial services, technology, and mining—and the ability to apply sector-specific insights to risk analysis and deliverables are essential.

Job Responsibilities

• Lead and deliver business intelligence and risk advisory projects across Francophone Africa, focusing on due diligence investigations and government relations support.
• Develop and maintain deep expertise in regional, country-specific, and sectoral contexts.
• Support growth of J.S. Held’s client base within the region, while expanding trusted client relationships through effective account management.
• Proactively identify business development opportunities, collaborating with senior colleagues to establish new client relationships.
• Contribute to marketing efforts, including creating high-quality thought leadership.
• Build and sustain strong relationships with key public sector stakeholders.
• Represent J.S. Held at relevant industry events and provide expert commentary via media outlets.

Qualifications

Required

• A Bachelor’s degree from a top-tier university in a relevant discipline (e.g., international relations, political science, economics, history, languages, or area studies).
• Four to seven years of experience in managing and/or conducting complex region-specific business intelligence and risk projects, particularly in:
  • Integrity due diligence
  • Political analysis
  • Stakeholder mapping
• Strong knowledge of the continent’s political and commercial dynamics, gained through:
  • Professional experience
  • Living or working in Francophone Africa
• Network of public and private sector contacts (e.g., journalists, government officials, business executives) with a commitment to proactively expanding these connections.
• Fluency in English and French, including:
  • Oral and written communication
  • Ability to draft complex documents on technical topics in French
  • Writing clear, concise client briefings and reports under tight deadlines
• Dynamism and initiative, with a ‘can-do’ mindset and self-starter attitude.
• Ability to exercise utmost discretion and diplomacy when serving clients.
• Some experience in or exposure to business development, with a passion for growing J.S. Held’s client base.

Preferred

• A Master’s degree in a relevant discipline (e.g., political science, economics, international relations, languages).

Additional Requirements

• Willingness to travel internationally (20–25% of the time).

Physical and Mental Job Qualifications

• Must be willing to travel internationally as needed (20–25%).

Additional Information

J.S. Held values its employees and understands that life requires flexibility. We strive to create an environment that supports and accommodates our team’s needs.

• Flexible Work Environment: Remote work is permitted when needed.
• Flexible Time Off Policy.
• Global Medical Insurance.
• Life Assurance.

Note: This job description is not exhaustive. Activities, duties, and responsibilities may change without notice.

Equal Opportunity & Employment Policies

J.S. Held embraces diversity and is committed to building an inclusive team that fosters professional and personal enrichment.

We are an equal opportunity employer and consider all qualified candidates without regard to:

• Sex
• Gender identity
• Sexual orientation
• Race
• Color
• Religion
• National origin
• Disability
• Veteran status
• Protected veteran status
• Age

For accommodation requests, please email [disability accommodations email] with “Applicant Accommodation” in the subject line.

[Explore more at J.S. Held website.]

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Job Location Type: Hybrid Department: Global Investigations