Job Description

DUT has approximately 33 000 students, and is located in the beautiful cities of Durban and Pietermaritzburg (PMB). As a University of Technology, it prioritises the quality of teaching and learning, as well as research and innovation, by ensuring its staff are appropriately qualified.


Existing as a result of the merger, in April 2002, of two prestigious Technikons, ML Sultan and Technikon Natal, it was named the Durban Institute of Technology, and later became the Durban University of Technology in line with the rest of the universities of technology.


DUT, a member of the International Association of Universities, is a multi-campus university of technology at the forefront of higher education, technological training, research, and innovation. In alignment with its ENVISION2030 strategy, the University would like to see its people (students, staff, etc) become entrepreneurial and innovative.


In 2020, DUT was ranked amongst the Top 500 Universities globally, and 10th for citations globally and 5th Nationally, an achievement which the university continues to build on through its academic fraternity. That is, the Research, Innovation and Engagement (RIE) as well as the Teaching and Learning fraternity. And, the latter being constituted largely through its six Faculties, viz. Accounting and Informatics, Applied Sciences, Management Sciences, Engineering and the Built Environment, Health Sciences and Arts & Design.


Co-journeying with the broader university community, in pursuit of strategic objectives, is the Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) Function, as established in 2014. Committed to the deepening of risk culture, its stakeholder-centricity, the continual strengthening of its understanding into the intricacies of institutional strategy, the imperative to prioritise institutional governance, and an appetite to learn, this ERM Function will serve as home to the successful Candidate.


DUT is: 'Creative. Distinctive. Impactful'


Applications are invited from interested person(s) for the under mentioned post.

DURBAN UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

FRAUD RISK PRACTITIONER (POST REFERENCE: 20001612)

Location:

Durban

Reporting to:

Chief Risk Officer

Purpose of the Job

To identify, prevent, and respond to fraud associated risk. The Fraud Risk Practitioner should use their knowledge of risk management, corporate governance, and fraud control to help DUT in strengthening its defences against fraud and corruption.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIREMENTS:

Relevant Honours Degree (NQF Level 8) in Forensic Science; Enterprise Risk Management; Internal Audit; Finance, or related field (economics, business management, statistics, or law). Certification in Fraud Risk Management (CFRM). Membership to a professional body, e.g. Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE).

IDEAL QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

MPhil Fraud Risk Management.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

8 years or more within a fully-fledged Compliance environment. 5 years' experience in:- Fraud risk profiling/assessment value chain (from identification through to reporting) Analysis of key trends in relation to the institutional fraud risk landscape, including emerging risks. Effective coordination of whistleblowing activities, including proactive response to hotline reports. Undertaking preliminary forensic investigations with confidentiality and deadline-driven posture. Leading fraud and forensics related training and awareness across an organisation. Responding to practical complexities pertaining to fraud and forensics related cases. Evaluation of an institutional fraud and forensics value chain, including implemented recommendations for improvement. Development of fraud and forensics governance documents, including socialisation across an organisation. Combined Assurance Framework (CAF). Contract management, identifying loopholes and unmitigated risks prior to executive sign-off. Project management with tangible outcomes/impact. Interacting across all hierarchical levels (At all levels within the institution), viz. with line management and other CAF lines of assurance role players.

Ideal Experience:

Experience in the Higher Education Sector. Insights into organisational strategy. Experience in the implementation of an ERM software. Experience in serving on an oversight structure, even if as merely an internal role player.

MIMIMUM LEGAL REQUIREMENT:

Membership, in good standing, with a professional fraud-focused body, viz.:-

Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE), or Institute of Commercial Forensic Practitioners (ICFP), or Equivalent

KEY COMPETENCIES REQUIREMENTS

MINIMUM REQUIREMENT

Ability to identify, assess, and prioritise fraud risks within institutional processes, ensuring proactive detection and treatment of vulnerabilities. Expertise in designing, testing, and evaluating internal control systems that minimise exposure to fraud and corruption across the institution. Practical knowledge of investigation methodologies, evidence collection, interviewing, and forensic analysis techniques. Strong ability to prepare and present clear, accurate, and insightful reports, dashboards, and presentations on fraud risks and investigation outcomes. Thorough understanding of governance principles, ethical standards, and enterprise risk management frameworks, and ability to embed these into daily operations. Familiarity with financial risk areas, including market, credit, and liquidity risks, and ability to assess their interconnection with fraud risks. Knowledge of operational risk frameworks and controls to ensure effective prevention and detection of fraud in day-to-day processes. Competence in analysing large datasets, applying risk modelling techniques, and drawing meaningful insights to inform fraud prevention strategies. Ability to build relationships across internal and external stakeholders, collaborate effectively, and embed a culture of fraud awareness and accountability. Aptitude to compare institutional practices with industry best practice, identify gaps, and apply lessons learned to strengthen fraud risk management. Skilled in leading workshops, awareness sessions, and training programmes that build organisational capacity in fraud risk management. Ability to monitor trends, emerging fraud risks, and sectoral developments, and integrate findings into fraud prevention strategies. Capacity to design innovative, fit-for-purpose fraud detection and prevention mechanisms that respond to changing risk landscapes. Ability to transfer knowledge, mentor staff, and build fraud risk management capability across the university. Strong project management skills to implement fraud-related initiatives, from inception to evaluation, with measurable outcomes.

IDEAL

Insight into governance, risk, and fraud challenges specific to higher education institutions. Ability to link fraud risk initiatives with institutional strategy and objectives. Hands-on experience in implementing enterprise risk management systems to monitor and manage fraud risks effectively. Understanding of governance processes through participation in oversight bodies or committees, with the ability to provide informed input on fraud and forensics.

TRAINING AND KNOWLEDGE

MINIMUM REQUIREMENT:

Specialised forensic investigations. Microsoft Office, especially Word and PowerPoint (Advanced). Data analytics. Expert-Interviewing Skills.

IDEAL REQUIREMENT:

Collaboration with law enforcement agencies, e.g. SAPS.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Ability to conduct proactive environmental scanning to identify emerging fraud risks and sectoral trends, combined with the skill to facilitate risk workshops that engage stakeholders in evaluating vulnerabilities and designing effective mitigation strategies. A visible commitment to continuous professional growth, keeping abreast of developments in fraud risk management, forensic investigation techniques, governance practices, and regulatory requirements to ensure the institution remains fraud-resilient. Strong appreciation of the role and processes of internal audit, with the ability to integrate fraud risk management initiatives into the wider assurance framework and respond effectively to audit findings and recommendations. Willingness and flexibility to work beyond normal business hours when required, particularly during high-risk periods, investigations, audits, or urgent fraud-related interventions.

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

FRAUD AND FORENSICS GOVERNANCE

Develop and/or update fraud and forensics related policies, frameworks, and procedures, including: + Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) Policy + ERM Framework
+ Fraud, Bribery, and Corruption Prevention Policy
+ Conflict of Interest Policy
+ Whistleblowing Policy
Undertake benchmarking as a source of innovation and infusion of market trends, demonstrating a growth mindset. Integrate institutional strategy into governance documents to ensure alignment and awareness. Produce detailed reports and dashboards with graphical illustrations, highlighting the interconnectedness of fraud, corruption, and control breaches.

FRAUD RESPONSE PLANNING & PREVENTION

Proactively track fraud-related red flags across institutional activities and develop appropriate mitigation tactics. Capture and track lessons learned from forensic investigation reports and use these insights to strengthen prevention measures. Act as a sounding board for first-line assurance role players by shaping fraud-sensitive dialogue. Provide actionable input into the university's green-paper processes, informed by market best practices. Contribute towards AppFactory MoUs, MoAs, and other agreements by identifying fraud-related loopholes. Promote and embed a strong risk management philosophy and culture.

FORENSIC INVESTIGATIONS MANAGEMENT

Engage relevant leadership team members to capture critical details for RFQ specifications. Compile RFQs for projects requiring external forensic services, ensuring specifications are well scoped. Liaise effectively with stakeholders to gather, analyse, and track evidence, and identify emerging fraud trends. Apply protocols for forensic investigations, including: + Evidence gathering to safeguard integrity of investigations + Competent compilation of evidence for possible criminal prosecution
Conduct thorough root cause analyses of fraud cases. Present evidence at disciplinary hearings to defend forensic reports and ensure accountability.

WHISTLEBLOWING AND HOTLINE

Liaise with the external service provider administering the whistleblowing hotline. Manage and coordinate whistleblowing processes, ensuring confidentiality, responsiveness, and organisational trust in the system.

FRAUD AWARENESS AND TRAINING

Contribute to creating a culture of openness and accountability across DUT. Lead fraud awareness and training sessions, drawing on case studies, local and global (glocal) market trends, and lessons learned from investigations. Promote institutional resilience by embedding fraud awareness across all organisational levels.

Salary: Market related

Contact Person: Ms P Naidoo

Status of Position: Permanent

In pursuance of ENVISION2030, the ideal incumbent:

Epitomises and demonstrates values- and principles-driven leadership and management, our DNA and The DUT Way. Fosters visionary and transformative leadership that is efficient, effective and impactful not only internally, but in our broader society nationally and internationally. Embeds systems thinking and management in the implementation of plans and projects, while ensuring sustainability. Takes leadership in ensuring that our education philosophy statement: 'our innovation and entrepreneurship shapes adaptive graduates that transform society'is not only enacted across DUT, but is a lived experience among, primarily, academics and students. Is creative and innovative, deliberative and decisive, and is a leader, a strategist and a manager. Is a seasoned academic leader with a proven record of academic excellence.

CLOSING DATE: 22 SEPTEMBER 2025

Applications should include:

================================

A fully completed prescribed application form which can be obtained from www.dut.ac.za (under the

QUICK LINKS

tab - @careers) A detailed curriculum vita (explicitly stating experience or knowledge in the above mentioned fields) Covering Certified copies of all academic records and certificates Current contact information of referees No manual applications will be accepted and incomplete applications will be Please email application to careers@dut.ac.za and quote the post reference and post description in the subject line.

Please note:

"The University reserves the right not to appoint" or to re-advertise to widen the pool of applicants Verification will be conducted on preferred candidates only.

DUT reserves the right to do a complete verification of the information you have provided.

DUT reserves the right to contact your referees or request additional referees.

While DUT strives for equal opportunities, preference will be given in terms of the University's Equity Plan, with specific consideration for Female candidates.