Head of Fraud Risk Management (12 months)

Purpose of the Job:The Head: Fraud is responsible for the strategic leadership, governance and operational oversight of the organisation’s fraud risk management function. Ensure the prevention, detection, analytics, investigation, case management, mitigation and reporting of fraud, while maintaining compliance with applicable South African legislation and regulatory standards in safeguarding the organisation, its clients and stakeholders. Strengthen Postbank’s fraud-risk resilience by ensuring effective systems, controls, methodologies and reporting and by driving collaboration with internal and external stakeholders to reduce financial crime exposure. Ensure alignment to legislation, regulatory requirements (FICA, POCA, PRECCA, POPIA) and industry best practice local and international, fraud-risk frameworks while enabling a proactive, intelligence-driven approach to fraud management.Job Responsibilities:Strategic and Executive LeadershipDefine and implement the enterprise fraud management strategy aligned to organisational risk appetite.Provide executive-level advice to senior management and governance committees on fraud risk trends and emerging threats.Establish and monitor fraud risk metrics, KPA’s, KPIs, KRI’s, and reporting frameworks.Ensure data analytics are built into reporting requirements for decision making.Fraud Risk ManagementDrive fraud elimination strategies.Lead fraud prevention, detection, and monitoring controls across all departments, products, channels, and platforms.Ensure timely identification, reporting and escalation of suspicious or anomalous activity.Drive continuous improvement of fraud controls and detection capabilities.Develop and maintain the fraud strategy policies and operating framework across prevention detection investigation and analyticsEnsure alignment to FICA POCA PRECCA PFMA POPIA and corporate governance principlesMonitor and review fraud risk appetite statements thresholds and control requirementsEstablish performance standards KPAs, KPIs and KRIs and quality benchmarks across all fraud functionsDrive integration between Fraud, AML, Operational, Risk, Compliance, ICT Security and LegalInvestigations and EnforcementProvide executive oversight of forensic investigations, including internal fraud, card fraud and complex financial crime.Approve investigation outcomes, recovery actions and referrals to SAPS, FIC or other authorities where required.Support civil recovery and criminal prosecution processes in collaboration with Legal, Risk and Compliance.Regulatory and Governance ComplianceEnsure compliance with all regulatory requirements and industry best practice standards. Maintain audit readiness and respond to internal audit, regulators and external assurance reviews etc.Ensure maintenance of policies, manual and frameworks and processes/procedures.Ensure disclosures to relevant industry bodies when required.People & Capability ManagementLead, develop and retain a high-performing fraud risk management and investigations team.Promote a strong ethical culture and zero-tolerance approach to fraud across the organisation.People ManagementClarify role expectations, priorities and standards for direct reports through regular review of job profilesLead the performance cycle for direct reports: set goals, conduct regular performance appraisals / reviews and provide timely feedbackCoach and mentor direct reports to build capability and encourage professional growth by recognising achievements, supporting individual development plans, identifying skills gaps and coordinating opportunities for training/learning and developmentAllocate and balance work, set delivery timeframes, and maintain team capacity through leave managementPartner with HR on workforce planning; participate in recruitment, selection, onboarding and probation managementPromote a favourable, inclusive, respectful team climate that supports well-being, safety and constructive collaboration and engagementOversee adherence to HR policies and South African Labour Legislation in people practicesAddress performance, conduct and attendance issues promptly; manage grievances and, when necessary, initiate disciplinary steps in line with procedureEncourage continuous improvement and adopt enabling tools and technology that enhance team effectivenessQualifications:Bachelor’s degree in finance, Risk Management, Law, Forensic Studies, or a related fieldMaster’s degree in finance, Forensics, Risk, Law or a related field.Ideal:Postgraduate degree or professional qualification such as:MBA (Master of Business Administration) – risk, fraud, leadership, or strategy focusMasters in Fraud risk management, Finance or LawPostgraduate Diploma in Forensic Accounting or Fraud ExaminationLLB / Legal Studies – especially for regulatory and compliance oversightRisk Management / Compliance / Financial Crime certificationsProfessional Certifications (Highly Advantageous)Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) – Association of Certified Fraud ExaminersCertified Forensic Accountant (CFA / SAICA forensic streams)Certified Risk Management Practitioner (CRM Prac)Certified Compliance Practitioner (CPrac)ACAMS – Certified Anti-Money Laundering SpecialistISO 37001 / Anti-Bribery Management Systems AwarenessLegal RequirementsCertified Fraud Examiner (CFE) – Association of Certified Fraud ExaminersExperience10+ years’ experience in fraud risk management, financial crime, forensic investigations, or risk management within a banking or financial services environment. Managed fraud risk across an orgainsation.10+ years’ experience in fraud risk management or financial crime, with senior management experience in a financial services environmentStrong knowledge of South African regulatory environment. Risk, fraud and compliance frameworks knowledge will be advantageous.Senior management or executive role with responsibility for: 5+ years leading fraud mitigation strategies, operate independently with a preventative and control focused orientation, financial crime, fraud risk governance, and leading an investigations team Setting strategy, budgets, and performance targets Reporting to Exco, Risk Committees, or Board-level forumsKnowledge and understanding (special requirements)Regulatory & Legal FitnessHigh-Level Security & Integrity RequirementsAdvanced Regulatory KnowledgeForensic & Investigative CompetenceStrategic Fraud Risk & Loss ManagementExecutive & Board-Level EngagementSkills and Attributes:Independence & ObjectivityAvailability & Operational ReadinessEthical Leadership & CultureData & Technology ExposureClosing date: 31 August 2026Disclaimers:The South African Postbank SOC Limited is committed to the achievement and maintenance of diversity and equity in employment, especially with regard to race, gender and disability. In compliance with the bank’s employment equity plans, we encourage and welcome applications from diverse groups from the South African Employee active population. Correspondence will be limited to short-listed candidates only. Note, only applications received on this platform will be considered. “POPIA sections provides that everyone has the right to privacy and it includes a right to protection against the unlawful collection, retention, dissemination and use of personal information. By applying for employment you consent to the processing of your personal information with Postbank. Your personal information and any attached text or documentation are retained by Postbank for a period in accordance with relevant data legislation.”If you do not hear from the South African Postbank SOC Limited or its Agent within 3 months of this advertisement, please accept that your application has been unsuccessful. The South African Postbank SOC Limited reserves the right not to fill the positions or to re-advertise the positions at any time.