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

Are you looking to join an organization that is growing and dynamic? 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. Our professionals serve as trusted advisors to organizations facing high stakes matters demanding urgent attention, staunch integrity, proven experience, clear-cut analysis, and an understanding of both tangible and intangible assets.

The Strategy & Risk Advisory team is a prestigious unit within J.S. Held that helps clients navigate complex political and regulatory issues at the heart of their growth. We provide actionable, timely intelligence to investors in high-risk frontier markets. We advise clients on market entry and stakeholder relations, conduct due diligence investigations for some of the leading development banks, and support the resolution of commercial disputes and arbitration.

We are looking for smart, motivated thinkers and business builders with a strong interest in global politics to join our growing team. We are seeking an experienced Managing Consultant to help drive the growth of our practice across Francophone Africa. This is a unique opportunity for an entrepreneurial, highly driven person with a well-rounded skill set.

The ideal person for this role will need to have a strong grasp of the political economy of Francophone Africa, and a solid grasp of relevant sectoral knowledge, as well as being a flexible and strategic thinker able to take on a variety of tasks.

A successful candidate will demonstrate the ability to clearly and precisely assess how political, economic, and regulatory dynamics impact client strategies, operations, and investments. Intelligence gathering is a core component of the role. The candidate will be expected to build, maintain, and expand a strong network of senior-level contacts across relevant markets, including public and private sector stakeholders. This will involve regular travel within the region.

The role also requires knowledge of, and experience in, key client sectors such as energy, financial services, technology, and mining, with the ability to apply sector-specific insights to risk analysis and client deliverables.

• 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 effectively executing client account management plans.
• Proactively identify business development opportunities and collaborate with senior colleagues to establish new client relationships.
• Contribute to J.S. Held’s 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.

• Bachelor’s degree from a top-tier university in a relevant discipline, for example, international relations, political science, economics, history, languages, or area studies.
• Between four and seven years’ experience of managing and/or conducting complex region-specific business intelligence and risk projects, particularly those relating to integrity due diligence, as well as political analysis and/or stakeholder mapping.
• Strong knowledge of the continent’s political and commercial dynamics, gained through relevant professional experience and/or having lived or worked in the region.
• Some existing networks of public and private sector contacts in Francophone Africa, for example, journalists, government officials and business executives, and a willingness to proactively 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 in English clear and concise client briefings and reports to tight deadlines with minimal guidance.
• High levels of dynamism and proactivity, with a ‘can-do’, self-starter attitude.
• An ability to serve clients with the utmost discretion and diplomacy.
• Some experience in or exposure to business development, with a genuine enthusiasm for growing J.S. Held’s client base.

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

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

J.S. Held understands all our employees are people and sometimes life needs flexibility. We work to always provide an environment that best supports and suits our team’s needs. Our flexible work environment allows employees to work remotely, when needed.

Additional Information: 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.