Associate Director, Tactical Intelligence & Liaison Africa at Control Risks

The Associate Director, Tactical Intelligence & Liaison will support the expansion of Control Risks’ information services business in Africa. The selected candidate will collaborate to expand the business, provide oversight of existing client deliverables and help to establish best practice in the collection, processing and distribution of intelligence products in EMEA, including by assisting in technological innovation. The Associate Director, Tactical Intelligence & Liaison will have a particular focus on our West Africa business with specific oversight of the Nigeria Information Service (NIS).

Tasks and responsibilities

• Work with the Tactical intelligence team to expand Control Risks’ information support business in Africa through identifying new markets and opportunities.
• Contribute to the development of source networks and information flows pertinent to clients in complex markets.
• Identify opportunities to improve workflow efficiencies either through internal development or by engaging relevant partners.
• Assist in establishing a consistent approach to information gathering and distribution to clients across the region.
• Explore and uncover data strategies to support and enable advanced data analytics.
• Liaise with key stakeholders in Nigeria – including for example representatives of government, the Nigeria Police Force and State Security Service – to support Control Risks’ and client operations in-country.
• Establish Control Risks as a trusted advisor to strategic clients in the region
• Identify new opportunities and assist in developing relationships in conjunction with other members of the Tactical intelligence practice and Control Risks colleagues more broadly.
• Manage and train junior resources in the region, providing guidance and feedback on their analysis and consulting output, as well as clear objectives and career development path where appropriate.
• Ensure a consistent, high quality and client-relevant approach to information collection and distribution in Nigeria.
• Work in conjunction with Partners in Lagos and other relevant locations to manage Control Risks’ Nigeria information consulting business, drawing on expertise and support from across the wider business where required
• Oversee operational incident and information monitoring, collection, sorting, verification, and dissemination for political risk and other business units requiring intelligence information in the region to support effective client decision-making.
• Identify, build and nurture a contact network of prospective clients, demonstrating understanding of how to qualify opportunities and representing all Control Risks service lines where appropriate in client discussions
• Lead conversations with clients on their requirements for analysis of Tactical Intelligence engagements in particular, but also show familiarity with political, security, regulatory and operational risks.
• Respond to client requests in a timely manner and to a high standard
• Understand and scope clients’ requirements and lead on consultancy proposals
• Work closely and collaboratively in a proactive manner to cultivate opportunities for cross-disciplinary consulting
• Support business development for the wider region as required
• Support on-the-ground operations with regular and timely information pertaining to the security environment in Nigeria in particular and elsewhere where relevant.
• Proactively support Control Risks’s wider business through liaison with appropriate authorities and external stakeholders, in conjunction with Director of Operations
• Support business development activities through regular attendance at meetings and briefings to prospective clients on Nigeria and West Africa threat environment
• Build out human intelligence and maintain relationships with key internal collaborators– including embedded consultants and external collaborators – including security forums, groups, security agencies and other relevant civil societygroups to support the delivery of quality analysis for client consulting engagements across the region
• Develop a sound understanding of security consulting business and operations to hold introductory conversations with prospective clients and identify new opportunities
• Lead on the delivery of analysis for client relevant consulting engagements
• Use source information astutely; conduct in-person research as and when required, respecting client confidentiality
• Contribute to the development of compelling client deliverables making use of innovative presentation formats, graphics and methodologies
• Support and contribute to delivery of consulting engagements for the wider EMEA region as required
• Represent Control Risks as a regional expert at conferences, marketing events/campaigns and in the media when required
• Contribute to regional marketing initiatives including thought leadership (articles, blog posts, podcasts etc.)

Requirements

• In-depth knowledge of the political, regulatory and security environment in Nigeria in particular and West Africa in general
• Proven experience of analytical writing for a commercial client audience, preferably with a focus on security and/or operational risk
• Strong professional experience on Nigeria, with a commercial and/or consulting focus
• Existing source and contact network across Nigeria/West Africa
• Practical experience of living, working or travelling in the region
• Prior experience in client advisory on issues relevant to Nigeria and West Africa
• Demonstrable business development experience
• Excellent research and analytical skills
• Exemplary analytical skills; ability to formulate a clear line of analysis around security developments in Nigeria and the wider region
• Ability to succinctly articulate risks and challenges faced by businesses across a breadth of sectors
• Excellent time management and organisational skills
• Strong technical skills in using Microsoft Office suite of products (Word, PowerPoint, Excel)
• Fluent written and verbal English and ability to write clearly, concisely and authoritatively to tight deadlines
• Master’s degree or equivalent in related discipline (political science, international relations, political economy, conflict and security analysis, etc.)