Managing Consultant - Strategy & Risk Advisory (Francophone Africa) in London

J.S. Held is a global consulting firm that combines technical, scientific, financial, and strategic expertise to advise clients seeking to realize value and mitigate risk. We serve as trusted advisors to organizations facing high-stakes matters demanding urgent attention and clear-cut analysis. The Strategy & Risk Advisory team helps clients navigate high risk, high reward markets around the world, working across sectors such as energy, financial services, technology, and mining. We provide strategic intelligence, compliance advice, and government relations support.

Responsibilities

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

Qualifications & Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from a top-tier university in a relevant discipline such as international relations, political science, economics, history, languages, or area studies.
• Between 4 and 7 years of experience managing or conducting complex region-specific business intelligence and risk projects, particularly those relating to integrity due diligence, political analysis, or stakeholder mapping.
• Strong knowledge of the continent’s political and commercial dynamics, gained through professional experience and/or having lived or worked in the region.
• Existing networks of public and private sector contacts in Francophone Africa (e.g., journalists, government officials, business executives) and willingness to expand these networks.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English and French, including the ability to converse and draft documents on complex topics in French, and to write clear, concise client briefings and reports to tight deadlines with minimal guidance.
• Other languages are an added advantage.
• High levels of dynamism and proactivity, with a ‘can-do’, self-starter attitude.
• Ability to serve clients with utmost discretion and diplomacy.
• Experience or exposure to business development, with enthusiasm for growing J.S. Held’s client base.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree from a top-tier university in a relevant discipline such as international relations, political science, economics, history, languages, or area studies.

Travel and Work Conditions

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

Benefits

• Flexible work environment allows employees to work remotely, when needed.
• Flexible Time Off Policy.
• Global Medical Insurance.
• Life Assurance.

EEO and Job Accommodations

We embrace diversity and our commitment to building a team and environment that fosters professional and personal enrichment is unwavering. We are greater when we are equal! J.S. Held is an equal-opportunity employer that is committed to hiring a diverse workforce. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law. If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request a reasonable accommodation, please email [email protected] and include “Applicant Accommodation” within the subject line with your request and contact information.