Security Investigator - All Interested Applicants / All Sources

U.S. Embassy South Africa; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 200 000 - 300 000; Full time

Job summary

A federal agency in Cape Town is seeking a Security Investigator to conduct criminal investigations and develop anti-fraud training programs. The role requires a Bachelor's degree in a relevant field and five years of experience in a related capacity. The candidate must be fluent in English and at least one other South African language. This position offers a unique opportunity to work with local and U.S. law enforcement agencies.

Qualifications

• Fluent speaking/reading/writing English is required.
• Fluent in at least one other South African language is required.
• A minimum of five years in a related criminal or investigative field.

Responsibilities

• Conduct investigations into counterfeit/forged travel documents.
• Develop and execute anti-fraud training programs.
• Monitor local sources to collect criminal intelligence.

Skills

Critical thinking

Strong interpersonal skills

Strong computer skills

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Law, Law Enforcement, Security, International Relations, Politics, or Criminal Justice

Tools

Analytical computer software

Word processing and spreadsheet software

Job description

Job title : Security Investigator - All Interested Applicants / All Sources

Job Location : Western Cape, Cape Town

Deadline : November 10, 2025

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Duties

BASIC FUNCTION OF POSITION

• The Criminal Fraud Investigator (CFI) is embedded in the Consular Section and works under the direct supervision of the Assistant Regional Security Officer- Investigator (ARSO-I). The incumbent conducts sensitive, routine, and complex criminal investigations of counterfeit / forged travel documents, human trafficking, and smuggling, U.S. fugitive extraditions, identity theft, bribery, extortion, conspiracy, misrepresentation, malfeasance, and terrorist travel. To facilitate these investigations, the incumbent builds relationships with contacts of all levels throughout the region to include but not limited to relationships with the respective police forces, immigration agencies, airport security, and prosecutors’ offices, etc.
• The incumbent is also responsible for working level liaison with U.S. law enforcement agencies and U.S. attorney’s offices throughout the United States and its territories. Incumbent may also manage non-RSO Locally Engaged Staff (LE Staff) when they are involved in supporting criminal investigations within the DSS purview as well as fulfilling interagency requests for investigative support that perpetuate national security interests. Incumbent can also work under the direction of the Senior Regional Security Officer (RSO) with concurrence from the ARSO-I.
• The CFI is managed by the ARSO-I who is supported by the Overseas Criminal Investigations Division (DS / INV / OCI) in Washington DC.

MAJOR DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• The incumbent will develop and execute anti-fraud training programs for authorities in their Area of Responsibility (AOR) and internal staff. These trainings will include investigative techniques that support the above listed criminal investigations. Incumbent may have national responsibilities beyond their post’s AOR, and this may include supporting investigations and trainings regionally with OCI approval.
• Criminal Investigations - Required to conduct sensitive, routine, and complex criminal investigations which will primarily focus on consular cases involving counterfeit / forged documents, human trafficking and smuggling, terrorism, identity theft, bribery, extortion, conspiracy, misrepresentation, and malfeasance. At the direction of the OCI, the incumbent may also assist with FBI, DEA, USMS, USSS, or other U.S. law enforcement agency investigations. Some investigations may require the incumbent to travel, either with the OCI or independently while investigating leads.
• The incumbent will track investigative activity in a case tracking system and will be responsible for completing detailed and timely written reports on his / her investigations. Incumbent will brief the RSO, Consular Chief, OCI and Fraud Prevention Manager on the status and outcome of his / her investigations. Incumbent will coordinate with the Fraud Prevention Unit to conduct research of criminal organizations who traffic in documents for the purpose of alien smuggling and trafficking.
• The incumbent’s investigations will influence a decision to arrest, detain, or criminally prosecute an individual under U.S. or local criminal law. As part of the incumbent’s casework, he / she will be required to conduct professional, independent, and / or joint subject interviews with the U.S. law enforcement representatives.
• The incumbent will assist in ensuring that all official reports of investigation and evidence is transferred to host government or other foreign law enforcement authorities to aide in criminal prosecution, while following Department policies for releasing visa and other controlled information as directed under 9 FAM, 12 FAM, and U.S. law. The incumbent may also be required to provide testimony in local or U.S. courts for criminal trial purposes.
• Training - Incumbent is responsible for researching, developing, and presenting training materials related to DSS’ criminal investigations program and post’s anti-fraud efforts, covering topics that include but are not limited to regional / global fraud trends, fraudulent document identification, document security features, impostor detection, human trafficking, foreign terrorist fighter travel, irregular migration, etc.
• Liaison - The incumbent will be required to establish and maintain professional relationships throughout all levels of host-nation law enforcement agencies, host-nation immigration and airport authorities, prosecutors and various other government entities and the private sector as appropriate.
• Administration and Analysis- The incumbent will monitor local open sources and law enforcement reporting to collect criminal intelligence for the development of investigations and training programs. The incumbent will be required to independently manage and maintain all program equipment and assets, to include assistance in procurement requests for training materials and travel.

Qualifications and Evaluations

Requirements :

• Public Trust security clearance.
• All selected candidates will be subject to a background investigation and may be subject to a pre-employment medical exam.
• Selected candidate must be able to begin working within a reasonable period of time 12 weeks upon receipt of agency authorization and / or clearances / certifications or their candidacy may end.

Education Requirements :

• Completion of a Bachelor’s Degree from a recognized university in any of the following fields : Law, Law Enforcement, Security, International Relations, Politics, or Criminal Justice and Forensics is required.
• Please address this factor in your ERA application under Education.

Evaluations :

• You will be evaluated against the qualifications and requirements in this vacancy announcement.
• You may be asked to complete a pre-employment language or skills test.
• You must complete the application form and provide the required documents. Your application must address all the position qualifications and requirements including education, experience, language, and any knowledge / skills / abilities listed. If you fail to submit a complete application, then your application may be disqualified for this position.

Qualifications : Experience :

• A minimum of five (5) years working in a professional capacity in a related criminal or investigative field within the local government or experience working in conjunction with the U.S. or government in the field(s) of criminal justice, security, or administrative investigations, or court processes with emphasis on technical, analytical or procedural investigations and / or applied operations with a concept of needs focused on identification, interception, interruption, or denial of criminal activities is required.
• Please address this factor in your ERA application under Major Duties and Responsibilities.

Language :

• Fluent speaking / reading / writing English is required.
• Fluent in at least one other South African language is required.
• Please address this language requirement in your ERA application.

Job Knowledge :

• A good working knowledge of documentary sources of information and familiarity with pertinent local laws such as invasion of privacy, marriage, divorce, etc. is necessary. Knowledge about criminal activities and modus operandi of criminal organizations within the AOR.
• The work requires a comprehensive command of local criminal law, judicial proceedings, analytical and legal research, as well as the ability to produce reports of investigations based on investigative efforts.
• The incumbent must be able to rapidly coordinate large scale, high profile investigations for both host nation and U.S. law enforcement and maintain a cadre of key contacts with a like interest in program goals.
• Basic knowledge of U.S. travel document concerns, objective ideas in respect to the overall fraud trends, methods, and strategies in visa and passport fraud.

Please address this factor in your ERA application under Major Duties and Responsibilities.

Skills And Abilities :

• Critical and independent thinker; self-starter, strong interpersonal skills, and the ability to work as a team toward a common goal.
• Strong computer skills, (word processing, spreadsheet management, presentations software) are required. Incumbent will use analytical computer software such as i2 link analysis, or open source internet investigative tools to secure digital evidence and should be able to manipulate data exports from DOS databases for analytical review / import. Must have skills to speak in public and do public presentations on a regular basis.
• The incumbent must be able to write detailed and accurate reports in English that require little to no correction. A valid driver's license valid for the last five (5) years.
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